Harold Thomas

President, Rotary International 1959-60

The journey of Harold Thomas through life began on July 22, 1891 in a tent. However it is necessary to turn time back almost a further 40 years to record when a member of the Thomas family first arrived in New Zealand, Harold’s great-grandfather, the Reverend Edward Thomas, was HAROLD TAHANA THOMAS

The writer of this biography has relied heavily on three books that Harold wrote — his two autobiographies It’s All in a Lifetime, and Way up North published in 1968 and 1970 respectively, and Rotary Mosaic a review of the growth and development of the organisation that he had significantly helped to fashion, and published in 1974.

The many hours spent in his company during the twilight years of his life, the opportunities both to talk to his family and friends, and read many other sources of information, have all been invaluable in creating this biography. Sadly the opportunity to discuss again with him the many pathways of life he travelled is no longer available as his remarkable life came to a close on August 5, 1992, when he was in his 102nd year.

Luther Hodges was the president of Rotary International in 1967-68 and wrote the introduction to It’s all in a Lifetime. Luther concisely described Harold as “a vital, personal individual whose own bridges of friendship span continents and are as global as Rotary International. He is

the complete man — husband, father, grandfather, successful business man, warm friend and companion, patriot and Rotarian.”

He also describes this book as “the experience of a group of human beings in the pioneering days of land settlement in one of New Zealand’s most remote areas. It is the story of the establishment and development of a thriving business during the period of a nation’s transition from pioneer community to modern state. Most particularly, it traces the evolution of a Rotarian and the influence of Rotary on a man’s personal life.”

Luther concludes the introduction with this observation:

“The species that is Harold Thomas is, unfortunately, too seldom found

in this world. From the time when he was born in a tent on a lonely

frontier until now, he has gained what he has through honest toil. A most

literate man, too, Harold has adapted himself to the conditions that

surround him. He has done more than survive. He lives a full and rich life

to the creed that we can each make our choice.”

Let me now attempt to retrace the story of Harold’s life as accurately

and as completely as possible, and to present his opinions on some of the

many topics he addressed.

HAROLD TAHANA THOMAS

President Rotary International, 1959-60

by Grattan O’Connell