Russell Matthews
New Zealand civil engineer, roading contractor, businessman, horticulturist, philanthropist
About Russell Matthews
Lived 1896 – 1987 (aged 91). Russell Matthews was a New Zealand horticulturist, engineer and civil engineer.
Sir Russell Matthews (19 July 1896 – 25 November 1987) was a New Zealand civil engineer, roading contractor, businessman, horticulturist and philanthropist. He was born in New Plymouth on 19 July 1896.
Career Matthews was mostly involved in roading construction.
Honours Matthews was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1971 New Year Honours, for services to the community, and a Knight Bachelor in the 1982 New Year Honours, for services to horticulture and the community.
In 2018, Matthews was posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Russell Matthews?
New Zealand civil engineer, roading contractor, businessman, horticulturist, philanthropist
When was Russell Matthews born?
Russell Matthews was born on 19 July 1896.
When did Russell Matthews die?
Russell Matthews died on 25 November 1987.
What was Russell Matthews's occupation?
Russell Matthews was a horticulturist, engineer and civil engineer.
What nationality was Russell Matthews?
Russell Matthews was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Russell Matthews. https://biography.guide/russell-matthews/
MLA: "Russell Matthews." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/russell-matthews/.
Chicago: "Russell Matthews." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/russell-matthews/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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