Williams Avenue (Hāwera)

Williams Avenue is a short cul-de-sac running off Waihi Road, named in honour of Mr Griffith William Arthur Williams, a former Egmont A & P Association president.  

Williams was born in Pātea in 1885 and educated first at Meremere School then Wanganui District High School. The South Taranaki farmer was involved in a wide range of community activities with a particular passion for horticulture. He was a foundation member and later chairman of the Pukeiti Trust Board as well as a member of the Hāwera Horticultural Society.

However, arguably his most ambitious undertaking was an audacious project to transform Turuturu-Mōkai Historic Reserve into a beauty spot, “the equal of Pukekura Park”. Lying approximately 2km from Hāwera the historic pā is recorded as being constructed approximately 400 years ago by the Ngāti Rākei (later Ngati Tūpaea) hapū of Ngāti Ruanui.

Pākehā interest in the site grew throughout the 1930s, culminating in 1953 with Williams’ extraordinary plan which included the construction of a large lake, a kiosk, playground and swimming pool. In January 1955 a huge crowd was present to witness the official opening of the reserve and cavort in Williams Lake, named after the driving force.

Within two years the lake had become too shallow for boats and soon after the Health Department condemned the swimming pool because of water pollution. Williams’ grand vision unravelled almost as quickly as it was formed. Apart from the dilapidated remnants of the kiosk and the pool, little remains of this unusual project.

Although Williams’ dreams for Turuturu-Mōkai were largely dashed, his contribution to Hāwera and the Egmont A & P Association was recognised when a short street with an entrance to the Egmont Showgrounds was named after him.

Griffith Williams died suddenly on 12 December 1963 on his way to chair a meeting of the Egmont A & P Association. He left behind his wife, two sons and two daughters.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.