Philippa & John Laing
1919 - 2011
John was born at Riversdale in the Wairarapa in 1919. When he left school, he worked between the two family sheep stations--Waterfalls at Tiramea and Te Wharau on the east coast of the Wairarapa. He helped to improve these stations together with his brothers, until he was called up for service in WWII in 1941.
When he returned from the war, he continued his career in farming and purchased Little Tora, situated on the coast from Martinborough. This farm was 3000 acres, running sheep and cattle. He farmed Little Tora for a period of 21 years.
John married Philippa Fetch, and they moved to Feilding where they purchased a sheep and cattle farm. They retired to Tauranga in 1980 where they purchased a lifestyle block. They enjoyed playing golf together.
Philippa was educated at Woodford House at Havelock North, in Hastings. Her sporting interests included tennis and hockey, as well as golf. She also enjoyed riding horses and kept her interest in horses until she died in 1986. John passed away in 2011.
