A very well-known and respected resident from the Maxwell community is Newton Hodge. Newton spent his childhood in the Waverly district and later on, farmed there for most of his life. Newton’s parents also came from the same district but he’s not sure exactly how they met but he does remember that the Hodge family had to endure pretty tough times in the 30’s

Later Newton served in Italy during WW2 – he talks about his experiences there and how he came to lose a leg due there to an unfortunate incident.

On returning to NZ Newton became a farmer and describes the progress of farming and the dairy industry in the Maxwell – Waverley area and how he managed to successfully farm despite the handicap of having just one leg

Sound Snapshots Audio Documentary Collection