My origins: T The Vicarage, Netley Abbey The ruins of Netley Abbey My Ancestors: Mum Dad Mum and Dad Grandad

A personal history I was born in the village of Netley Abbey, in the County of Hampshire, England in December 1955. Our family stayed there until 1964 when we migrated to New Zealand eventually coming to live at East Tamaki (now Botany Downs) before settling at Wood Bay in Titirangi in the 1970’s. My brother and I were educated at local schools – East Tamaki Primary School and Baird’s Road Intermediate. Neil attended Otara College (as it then was), Penrose High School and we then both attended Avondale College. I went on to study law at the University of Auckland graduating in September 1980 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. Subsequently I obtained admissions to practice law in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Island and have lived and worked in those countries as well as Australia and the Republic of South Africa. Whilst in South Africa I studied law at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and practiced law as an articled clerk.. Neil (also known as Eagle Neil) has walked a different path and has attended Art School and is the only white Te Moko artist in New Zealand history and is well known around the world as one of New Zealand’s top tattoo artists. Examples of his talent are shown beneath this text. I am very proud of my brother and his talents. You can see more of his talent on www.tatts.co.nz. My Ancestors My mother was Phyllis Winifred Edwards born the 13^th December 1934 in New Dehli, India. She was a central pillar of my childhood and taught me much about the finer things in life. She was a dedicated and capable mother. My mother died tragically on the 17^th June 2003 some six weeks after the death of my much loved mother in law Freda Eleanour Godsmark. There is not a day that passes that I do not regret their passing, think of them both and thank god for the relationships we enjoyed.. Dad, is Horace William Hine born the 28^th February 1927 in Netley Abbey. Dad, thankfully, is hale and hearty and has given both of his sons a love and appreciation of music and art. I am very proud of my ancestry and can trace my family tree back 1000 yrs on my mother’s side through the name EDWARDS / NEAME and on my father’s side through the name HINE / RUSSELL There are many true heroes in the Hine family. My grandfather, a regimental colour Sergeant Major, was mentioned in a film made about Sir Winston Churchill’s life. Grandad, was the soldier who during the Boer War, crawled through enemy lines to rescue Sir Winston after he was wounded. He was mentioned in dispatch’s for bravery during World War 2 after enlisting to do his duty. He was also the United Kingdom’s oldest postman walking his rounds until the age of 96 when he finally succumbed to the flu following the coal miner’s strike. He made a huge impact on my life. Growing up in a village was a wonderful experience and having the love and close relationship of a wonderful family of grandparents and uncles and aunts served to ground my brother and I. My family My wife Janne and I met during my university years and married in 1990 following my return to New Zealand from South Africa. She, is the love of my life, my compass, my rock and my best friend. She has given me the best gifts a man can receive her love and two wonderful children, Danielle and Campbell. In her own right my wife is a talented business woman who has the ability to turn her hand at any task she undertakes with dedication and achievement. Not surprisingly she is also a superb homemaker and mother and a very dedicated woman and an integral part of the Families Matter team. No description of my family would be complete without mentioning the wonderful step children I have been lucky enough to share. Patrick, Felicity and Vaughan are wonderful children (now adults) and they with their partners, Mark and Erika are an integral part of the whole that is our family. Finally no life could be complete without grandchildren. I am lucky enough to have four lovely grandchildren, Laura, Georgia and Jasmine and Bryly. Life is good ! This perhaps allows you to understand why to me, Families Matter and why I try to bring that sentiment to my practice of the law. Back to Home Page