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The Coates family of Ruatuna

2026

The documentary record of one family and their legacy for over 120 years in the Kaipara area

The collections of the Coates family of Ruatuna consist of letters and personal papers, farm accounts and ledgers, photographs, sketch and autograph books, paintings, inscribed books and objects (e.g. trophies, watches, bullet, caskets, Masonic regalia, show ribbons), presentation certificates and korowai.

Involvement in the community and the mantle of community service was an integral part of the Coates family life. The most visible and nationally significant member of the family was Gordon Coates, MP for Kaipara from 1911 to 1943, and Prime Minister from 1925-1928.

Women played major roles in the family, running the farm for 95 years. Eleanor Coates (1851-1935) managed the affairs of her sick husband, including the farm, along with her sons and daughters Ada and Dolly. Ada (1885-1976) bought the farm from her mother’s estate. Eva’s daughter Joy (1918-2000) inherited the farm after her aunt’s death.

“The relationship between Ruatuna and the Kauri Museum is particularly important. Together they provide both context and continuity, connecting the lived environment of the Coates family with the preservation of documentary records, photographs, correspondence, objects, and interpretative material that help tell a broader national story.” Hinurewa te Hau, Chair, Kauri Museum

Archive Location

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Kauri Museum

Edward Coates’ diary, May 1st 1886 – May 29th 1890. Entries for 27 July – 3 August 1887. HNZPT. Ruatuna. XR.5001

Coates family centenary celebrations. January 1966.Left to right: Ihapera Te Morenga Manukau, Puutu Tamihana Matiu, Ada Coates, Ahipene Michael Manukau, Hilda Kui Manukau, Puutu Paraone Hemana, Tangi Areta Paraone Hemana, Inutai Tamihana Matiu. Known at the time as: Bella Manukau, Putu Thompson, Ada Coates, Michael Manukau, Hilda Manukau, Boots Brown, Tangiareta Brown, Lady Thompson. Photographer: Tudor Collins. Kauri Museum. 1996.497.98.1

Gordon and Rodney Coates and gang of shearers, circa 1908. HNZPT. Ruatuna. XR. 4762

Korowai/Cloak. Presented to Joseph Gordon Coates who was Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1925, This korowai was draped on Coates’ coffin when he died in 1943 when he was Minister of Armed Forces and War Coordination. Kauri Museum 1995.618

Presentation of Mrs Marjorie Coates’ feather cloak to the Museum by daughter Irirangi Bloomfield 14.2.1991. The cloak was given to Marjorie in 1922 on the birth of their fourth daughter, who was given the name Irirangi by an East Coast iwi. Left to right: Chub (Barbara) Coates, Lincoln Bloomfield, Margot Husband, Clarice Smith, Joy Aickin, Ned Sterling, Sheila Pryde, Irirangi Bloomfield, Coreen Patterson, Merv Sterling, Shirley Tonkin, Roger Mulvay, Helen Sterling. Kauri Museum. 1996.497.79.5

Picking grapes. Clairmont Vineyard, circa 1910. HNZPT. Ruatuna. XR.4704.2

Joy Aickin on a farm bike pulling a trailer with a dog accompanying her. June 1977. HNZPT XR.1692 ‘Northern Advocate. Photograph/Whangarei NZ 77 411.15a’

Coates family group at Ruatuna, Gordon Coates’ 21st birthday, 3 February 1899. Photographer: H Bartlett. Left to right. Back row: William, Eva, Rodney, May. Seated: Gordon, Eleanor, Edward, Cousin Beach Coates. In front: Dolly, Ada. HNZPT. Ruatuna. XR.4769

Show ribbons hanging in the office at Ruatuna. 2026. HNZPT. Ruatuna. XR.4447-4458

Gordon Coates speaking at the unveiling of the WWI memorial at Matakohe, January 1922. Memorial built from stone taken from the Coates quarry at Stony Hill, on the Northern Wairoa side of Hukatere peninsula. HNZPT. Ruatuna. XR.1333

Discover
more

Nomination submission

HNZPT Ruatuna catalogue

Kauri Museum catalogue

Ruatuna

The property near Matakohe managed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Kauri Museum, Matakohe

Gordon Coates – DNZB entry

Related
Inscriptions