Bledisloe Crescent in Wainuiomata is named after Lord Bledisloe, also known as Charles Bathurst, who served as Governor-General of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. Born in 1867 and passing in 1958, Lord Bledisloe is remembered for his contributions to New Zealand during his tenure. The street was named in the 1940s, likely in recognition of his influence on the country. i
Lord Bledisloe (Charles Bathurst) is particularly well-known for his donation of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to the people of New Zealand in 1932, an act that had a significant impact on the preservation of New Zealand’s heritage.
His tenure as Governor-General was marked by a deep interest in promoting New Zealand agriculture and fostering relationships between Māori and Pākehā. Lord Bledisloe’s legacy lives on through both the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Bledisloe Cup, an annual rugby competition between New Zealand and Australia named in his honor.
- Wainuiomata Development Company Papers[↩]