Regular visitor has Treaty link

Tasmanian Tim Meredith on the croquet green this week at the New Zealand Masters Games. PHOTO:...
Tasmanian Tim Meredith on the croquet green this week at the New Zealand Masters Games. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
He is from Tasmania but he can definitely call Dunedin home.

Tim Meredith is in the city for the New Zealand Masters Games. This Tasmanian's love of croquet and fly fishing brings him to Otago and Southland regularly, so regularly that four years ago he joined the Tainui Croquet Club.

``Since I retired I've been coming to New Zealand at least twice a year to fly-fish and to see friends in Dunedin. I was taken to the Tainui Croquet Club and had a few games there, and then I thought I might as well join the club, so I did,'' he said.

The pull of New Zealand is definitely in his blood and Waitangi Day has special significance for him. His great-great-uncle was James Busby, who helped William Hobson draft the Treaty of Waitangi. In fact, the Treaty was signed in his great-great-uncle's home which is now the ``Treaty House''.

James Busby is also recognised as the founder of the Australian wine industry and was the first to bring grapevines to New Zealand.

Meredith admits his attraction to Central Otago's pinot noir is likely to also be in his blood.

Meredith (69) partnered with Ron McMurran (87), from Dunedin, to take a bronze medal in the golf croquet doubles.

His face lights up when asked what he loves about croquet.

``It's terrific fun. It's a thinking game, very tactical along the lines of chess, requiring a lot of forward thinking. It's challenging and full of great camaraderie.''

This is his second games in Dunedin and he has high praise for the event.

``It's incredibly well run. The volunteers do a fantastic job. I loving coming here. The warmth of the people just embodies what the games are all about.''

 

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