Wills Road (Tikorangi)

The better known Wills Road in Bell Block has already featured in this series. This Wills Road is a short cul-de-sac in Tikorangi running off Ngātimaru Road.

The road is named after George Ernest Wills who farmed the area for many years. George was born in New Plymouth and later drove a bullock team constructing roads before purchasing a farm in Tikorangi in 1910.

He lived here until about 1940 before handing it over to his son Alfred (Barney) Wills. He retired to New Plymouth and at the age of 85 moved to Waitara to live with his daughter. George remained active almost right up until his death on 12 October 1972, five days before his 104^th birthday. A keen gardener and bowler, he was a foundation and life member of the Clifton Park Bowling Club and also a life member at the Waimea Bowling Club in New Plymouth.

At the end of Wills Road is the Manukōrihi Golf Club. The club was established in 1904 on land that is now home to cricket and soccer in Waitara. The golf club moved twice before buying the current site in 1968. The club officially opened its new course on 11 April 1970, initially with just 12 holes, with six more added 15 years later.

New Zealand’s nationwide Covid-19 lockdown delayed jubilee celebrations in early 2020. The club was finally able to celebrate its 50-year anniversary in November 2020 with the occasion marked by the planting of a golden tōtara tree and the burying of a time capsule.  

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.