Plimmerton Croquet Club - a Brief History

1926 - Plimmerton Croquet Club was established as part of a three-sport complex at the junction of Gray’s Road and St Andrew’s Road (now SHW59), intended by its proponents to make use of the rail and seaside connections and rival the South Island’s Caroline Bay at Timaru. There were tennis courts at the western end, a bowling green on the middle level, and a smallish croquet lawn at the eastern end beneath the bend in Grays Road. There was also a half size practice croquet lawn south of the bowling green (now the site of the bowling clubhouse) and a two-roomed building on the northern boundary served the needs of the men of the bowling club and the women of the croquet club.

1939 - After a successful first ten years the croquet club had by the war years shrunk to just four members. Because of problems with maintaining their green the bowling club had by then under twenty members. The tennis club had been more successful ‘attracting the best players from Wellington with pleasing regularity. The situation for croquet and bowls was retrieved under the leadership of Mr Ted Anderson who served as secretary of the combined sports society from 1939 to 1946, and by the decision to sell off the tennis courts to pay the society’s debts which had been incurred in the purchase and setting up costs of twenty years earlier.

1954 - The croquet club purchased a clubhouse from the Raumati South Bowling Club which was transported south in sections and re-erected on the east side of the croquet lawn, by voluntary labour by members of the bowling club assisted by some croquet husbands. It is still there today beside what is now the bowlers’ car park. Management and maintenance of the two-sport complex continued in the hands of the men of the bowling club, and the croquet women were responsible for catering at bowling tournaments and fund raising by card evenings and catering for winter indoor bowls.

1968 - The croquet membership cap was raised to sixteen and, after a secret ballot of the ladies of the club, the application for membership of Mr Tom Dodson was accepted. (He resigned at the 1973 AGM.) By 1987 there were three male members, including Mr Jack Kelliher, later first Plimmerton president of the Wellington Croquet Association. In 1969 Mrs Jane Southward, President 1954-57, was made a Life Member, followed in 1975 by Mrs Jane Dodson, President 1969-74, and in 1977 by Mrs Eunice Cumberworth, member for 38 years and President 1957-59.

1990 - Club membership had increased to 24 and Club Captain Bea Lyons, made a Life Member in 1993, reported on the improved level of play consequent on the arrival of Michael Hewitson from Hawkes Bay who was playing off a handicap of just 1 bisque.Despite play on five days each week and the purchase of additional hoops to allow two practice games to proceed side by side, it was apparent that further growth would be possible only by development of new facilities. In November a Club delegation led by Mr Hewitson, the first male President of the club, met with Porirua City Council representatives and initial investigations were later made by Council of sites in Whitby, Motukaraka Point and near the Plimmerton railway station.

1992 - Under new President Eric Castle, the Club resolved to accept a new offer of Porirua City Council to develop a four lawn complex beside SHW1, to accept ongoing responsibility for ground maintenance and recurring costs, and to seek Incorporated Society status that would allow it to enter a long term contractual relationship with Council and raise the finance to build a clubhouse. Play on the new lawns commenced on 11 January 1994, the new clubhouse was officially opened by Porirua Mayor John Burke, now Patron of the Club, on 24 September 1994. By 1996 membership had risen to 62. At the 75th Jubilee celebrations in 2001 the Club acknowledged Eric Castle’s leadership through a four year term of challenges met and growth achieved with the award of Life Membership.

Post-2001 - Membership drives each year, with regular Have a Go Days to allow newcomers to come to terms with mallet, hoops and balls, have maintained a current membership above 80. The new century has also seen the introduction alongside traditional Association Croquet of the newer Golf Croquet, the equivalent of 20/20 cricket for speeded up interaction and movement about the lawns.​During the two terms of President Carolyn Rait (2003/4) the clubhouse was doubled in size, and with grants from community and trust sources, it was without additional cost to members.The Club has met all financial obligations in its partnership with the Porirua City Council, and with responsibility by members for ground maintenance is able to offer year round croquet, enjoyed by players from across Wellington whose councils restrict playing during the winter.Members’ participation continues in Kapiti and Wellington competitions, with Plimmerton often the venue, a tribute to the standard of the facilities. Plimmerton players enjoy success at local, at New Zealand and, in the case of Phillip Drew who started croquet in Plimmerton at age seven, at international levels.

Ken Rae

9 August 2009

The Gentle Knock: A History of Croquet in New Zealand

The genteel thwack of mallet on ball, the strategic placement of hoops, and the satisfying click of a successful run – these are the hallmarks of croquet, a sport that has woven itself into the social and sporting fabric of New Zealand since its introduction by early settlers.

More than just a leisurely garden game, croquet in Aotearoa boasts a rich history, evolving from a pastime of the privileged to a nationally organised sport with international success.​

The seeds of croquet were sown in New Zealand in the mid-19th century, arriving with British colonists who brought their traditions and recreations with them. Initially, it was primarily a social affair, enjoyed on the expansive lawns of grand homesteads. This early form, often referred to as garden croquet, was less formal, focused on convivial gatherings rather than strict rules and competition. The sport’s early appeal lay in its accessibility; it was one of the first outdoor activities where women could participate alongside men on equal footing, fostering a social dynamic that was quite novel at the time.As settlements grew and communities formed, so too did the organisation of croquet.

The late 1870s marked a significant step with the establishment of the first formal croquet club as part of the Ponsonby Lawn Tennis Club in Auckland in 1879. This marked a shift from informal garden play towards a more structured sporting pursuit. The late 19th century saw the emergence of other clubs across the country, often linked with bowling or tennis clubs, as these sports shared the need for large, flat lawns, and sometimes, women who were excluded from bowls found a welcoming alternative in croquet.The burgeoning number of clubs and players naturally led to the desire for inter-club competition and a national governing body. I

n 1920, the New Zealand Croquet Council was formed, a pivotal moment that unified the sport nationwide. This organisation provided a framework for rules, handicapping, and national championships, the first of which was held in 1913. The establishment of the Council spurred further growth and standardisation, laying the groundwork for the development of a distinct New Zealand croquet identity.The early 20th century witnessed a flourishing of the sport, particularly amongst women. Interestingly, by 1925, international observers noted that New Zealand, despite its relatively small population, had a significantly higher per capita participation rate in croquet than England, the sport's birthplace. This highlights the enthusiastic adoption of croquet by New Zealanders.

The mid-20th century brought increased international engagement. Test matches began between New Zealand, Australia, and England in the 1920s, fostering a competitive spirit and raising the standard of play. New Zealand achieved a significant milestone in 1951 by winning the prestigious MacRobertson Shield, the premier international teams competition, from a visiting English team, demonstrating the nation's growing prowess in the sport.While the latter half of the 20th century saw a slight dip in overall participation, the sport experienced a resurgence in the 1990s.

Today, New Zealand boasts a vibrant croquet community with over 70 active clubs throughout the country. Kiwis have also achieved considerable success on the world stage, with several players consistently ranking among the top ten globally. The New Zealand Open, first contested in 1913, remains a prestigious national tournament, attracting both local and international talent.Contemporary croquet in New Zealand encompasses various forms of the game, primarily Association Croquet and Golf Croquet. Association Croquet is the more traditional and strategically complex version, while Golf Croquet is a faster-paced and more accessible variant that has gained significant popularity. Both forms are played competitively and socially across the nation, catering to a wide range of ages and abilities.From its humble beginnings as a social pastime on colonial lawns to its current status as a nationally organised sport with international champions, the history of croquet in New Zealand is a testament to the enduring appeal of this seemingly gentle yet strategically demanding game. It reflects the social history of the nation, the increasing opportunities for women in sport, and the development of a strong and competitive sporting culture. As mallets continue to swing and balls roll across the manicured lawns of Aotearoa, the legacy of croquet as a cherished part of New Zealand’s sporting heritage looks set to endure for generations to come.​

Graham Minnoch, 2025