Finnerty Road (Ngāere)

In the 19^th century a lot of New Zealand’s rural roads gained their names in a surprisingly haphazard manner. Frequently, surveyors would name them after one of their fellow surveyors. So when Henry Climie was working in Ngāere, he named a new road after Charles Finnerty.

In fact Henry Climie was probably returning a favour. Charles Finnerty had surveyed a road leading to Cardiff. He named it Climie Road. Perhaps too, they were both lucky? Other surveyors had been known to name roads after the dogs in their survey parties.

Finnerty was born in England and joined the British Army, earning a commission and serving in India and China. Poor health saw him resign and come to New Zealand.

However, a long period of rest in the better climate saw his health gradually improve. In 1875 he joined the Lands and Survey Department. Later he worked for a private company. He would go on to spend many years surveying in central and southern Taranaki.

Finnerty settled in Pātea and was active in politics, eventually becoming mayor of the town. He died in 1899, aged only 58.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.