Ted celebrates birthday milestone in Manawhai

A descendant of one of Mangawhai’s early settlers, William and Sarah Anne Moir, returned to the area last month to celebrate their 80th birthday.

Ted Moir lived all his early life in Mangawhai at Coal Hill until his parents and siblings shifted to Auckland when he was around 11-years-old. He is the youngest of five children to Richard (Dick) and Maud Moir.

Although Ted now lives in Australia, he always wanted to revisit the place of his birth and childhood, so, along with his children and grandchildren he travelled to Mangawhai to celebrate his birthday milestone.

The family stayed in a house with views over the estuary bringing back many memories of the fishing he did when he was younger and when his family had a bach at the end of Pearson St.

Nearly all of his nieces and nephews made a surprise visit to celebrate with him on December 17. His actual birthday, December 18, he shares with his granddaughter, Kassie, who turned seven. They both celebrated their birthday with family members with lunch at the Mangawhai Tavern.

Moir family members are still living in Mangawhai today.

n Pictured: The extended Moir family pose for a birthday photo. Ted is at back row, centre.