Greetings Everyone,
Welcome to Rita and Norris's website
Here we are in the lovely village of Havelock North. We arrived in NZ in January 1975 and lived in Palmerston North until May 1976 when we moved to Hawkes Bay. We came from St. Helens in Lancashire. We were born two days apart and one mile apart in December 1937. Rita has always been the love of my life. Rita was always a very talented teacher and when I left the building industry in 1964, she gave me immense support when I went to college and university where I gained degrees in Education, Maths Physics Geology and Geophysics. I too then became a teacher and Lecturer in Physics. When we arrived in NZ Diane was 10 and David was 9 and they went to Havelock North High School. Diane studied medicine at Auckland Medical school and now is Professor, Head of Pathology, at Otago medical School campus in Wellington. Diane lives in Island Bay Wellington. Diane is married to Andrew Sangster who is an Optometrist on the Terrace in Wellington. David is married to Karen, and he studied engineering at Auckland University and became a Doctor of Engineering. He worked for NASA in Sunnyvale California for several years and then in returning to NZ he created his own business making computer boards for fishing vessels. David is now working on automation systems for the Fruit industry in Hastings Hawkes Bay and in the Kiwi fruit industry in Te Puke. David also lives in Havelock North near me.
Rita and I taught in Schools in Hastings and Havelock North and Norris was H.O.D Science teaching Physics at Hastings Girls High and then Deputy Principal for 16 years with the school (H.G.H.S) naming the Science Block after him. Rita taught in several schools in Hastings and Havelock North and was always first choice with them as a supply teacher.
We both retired in 2000 but then had an active life walking, travelling, gardening, Cinema visits and joined Probus. I learned all about computing and taught for the U3A and SeniorNet. From 2007 to 2011 I was President of U3A and again in 2023.
Sadly, Rita passed away on 11th May 2018. Dearly loved by everyone, Rita's family and friends and colleagues donated money to provide yearly scholarships to two students from Hastings Girls High School who will be undertaking Teacher Training. I wish to thank everyone for their kindness and love. Shona & Amanda at H.G.H.S. will nominate these students
I took Rita's ashes to the family grave in St. Helens where we were married in 1962 and again travelled there last in 2019 to visit my sister Iris. Lifelong friends, Rita & I were born in Sutton St. Helens, Lancashire two days apart and one mile apart in December 1937 - she was and will always be the love of my life.
Today at 85 I still fly & build radio control aeroplanes with my son David and continue living as Rita & I always did.
I still teach Geology, Computing and Digital Photography for the U3A (University of the third Age) in Havelock North and build websites. I am a member of the Model Flying H.B. and the H.B. Rock and Mineral club. My interests have always been in science and how it affects the changing world.
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Our Grandson Adam was Dux of Scotts College in Wellington and is now a doctor at Lower Hutt Hospital and grandson Logan has come top of his honours degree in Electrical Engineering and computer systems in 2021 and is now doing a PhD in Computing at Auckland University. Liam is now studying Electrical Engineering and Katie who was Dux of St. Margarets College in Wellington completed a BSc in Maths, Physics, Geology and an MSc in Geophysics at Otago works as an analyst in a Government Department in Wellington. Andrea after completing her degree in Commerce and Sports Science works as an Event Manager in Auckland. Ella completed her final year at Scotts College as a prefect and has Classics, Art. Chemistry and Biology as her favourites. She has just completed year 1 at Victoria University in Science Communication and Classic and is travelled to the UK and Germany in November. Also, she will spend Christmas in Germany with her friend Any and her family. Amy came over from Germany last year as an exchange student and stayed with Ella. Ella moved to Otago for her second year in 2023.The lovely Kayley who is in her second year at secondary school at Havelock North is in dance groups and cheerleading groups. Her team won the Auckland competition and will compete in Hawaii in May 2023.
Rita & Norris
26 Palmbrook Avenue
Havelock North
New Zealand
4130
rita-norris@xtra.co.nz
