Newton King Street

Today it remains obvious that businessman Newton King was highly regarded in Taranaki. Newton Street in Fitzroy and a wharf at Port Taranaki are named after him. The road leading to the wharf was also named after him.

King was born in 1855 and went into business on his own account at the age of 23. He was successful in several ventures and played a significant role in enhancing Taranaki’s rapidly developing dairy industry. As his business interests expanded, he began to wield a lot of influence in the province.

His father, also a successful businessman, was an early chairman of the New Plymouth Harbour Board. Newton was elected to the board in 1899 and would remain on it for the rest of his life. He was elected chairman in 1917. Under his leadership, plans to build a new wharf were commenced. Progress was speedy and, partially completed, the first vessel to berth at the wharf was HMS Veronica, in March 1924. The Newton King Wharf was commissioned the following year.

King was also involved with many community organisations, often providing financial support. Most significantly, he owned several racehorses and was president of the Taranaki Jockey Club.

He owned a large house beside Pukekura Park, named ‘Brooklands’. King died there in 1927. A few years later the trustees of his estate gifted the land and house to the town of New Plymouth. Maintenance was expensive and the council eventually sold it for demolition.

Newton King’s businesses later merged with other entities and is now part of PGG Wrightson. Sir Truby King of Plunket Society fame was his younger brother.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.