Gordonton

The land provided an abundance of food for local Māori, of the Ngati Wairere iwi, who grew and traded kumara, and flax.  The village was surveyed to create accommodations for workers from Woodlands Estate who wished to live in their own homes. 

Community Hall    The first community hall was opened in 1884 on land gifted by Woodlands Estate. Due to fires and poor building materials, two more have followed 

The first school, spearheaded by the Hopa and Puke families, opened in the adjacent hall in 1891 and a classroom was built in 1893 on land originally surveyed in 1883.  This is now Hukanui Park.  Other schools in outlying areas have been amalgamated, with some of their buildings being relocated to Gordonton.

This cowshed design was first built in Gordonton in 1952 by Ron Sharp, a descendant of the Riddell Family.  Still being built today, the Herringbone design dominated the New Zealand dairy industry for many decades.

Established in 1872, Woodlands was originally a 98,000-acre property surveyed after the Waikato land wars. It was purchased by the Piako Swamp Company with the understanding they would improve and drain the peat land and develop roads.  Surveyed land was also designated to Maori in the area.  Woodlands became a self-sufficient enterprise – the Homestead was surrounded by a village of farm buildings, including stables, woolshed, bakery, blacksmith, waterwheel and joinery shop, butchery and stock yards.  It became the centre of local social activities.

Gordonton lies to the north east of Hamilton, approximately eight kilometres from the present Hamilton city boundary. Gordonton village is just off the edge of the Piako swamp.

But the story of a district is never finished. Life must go on and things must change.
As the years after the war passed, the great wave of prosperity steadied as it had always done over the past century. The scientists have shown "How to manage Waikato peat" and the grass grows lush and green. More and more butter and cheese can be produced, but the markets do not increase as quickly and the cry "Diversify, diversify or perish" is echoeing over New Zealand.

The Tylden family were discussing plans for the future. "When we break up the old family unit, there won't be enough money for each of us to buy an improved farm," said one of the brothers. "Land prices have skyrocketed in the last few years."
"There are still a few areas of cheaper farms that are well back but..."
"We have to have a place close enough to a school for the children," finished Marie.
One of the brothers remembered seeing an article about breaking in Waikato peat lands.