Gordon Hasell

Category Three: Nationally Recognised Notable New Zealanders

Date of birth

1 July 1933

Parents

Lemuel Bechri Hasell and Gladys Emily Hasell (nee Tucker)

Married

Hilary Anne Burns in 1956

Children

  • Sally Ann (born 1962)
  • Alan Robert (born 1964)
  • Alison Clare (born 1967, died 1975)

Education

  • Timaru South Primary School 1938-46
  • Timaru Boys High School 1947-1951
  • Canterbury University 1952-55 (BSc)

Career

  • Secondary School teacher at Christchurch Technical College 1956-58
  • Motueka High School 1959-66
  • Timaru College (Head of Mathematics 1967-78, Deputy Principal 1978-82)
  • Mountainview High School (Deputy Principal 1982-92)

Interests

  • Outdoor activities – mountain climbing, ski mountaineering, ski touring, skiing, tramping, mountainbiking
  • Small-bore rifle shooting – representative Canterbury and Nelson
  • Hockey – senior level in Nelson

Community Involvement

  • NZ Search and Rescue activities in Mt Cook, Nelson and Timaru since 1955
    • Timaru District Search Advisor since 1969
    • Chairman of Timaru NZ Land Search and Rescue (NZLSAR) for many years, served on regional and national committees
    • Has run training courses for NZLSAR
    • Local advisor for Timaru coroner
  • Member Fox Peak Ski club since 1951
  • Member NZ Alpine Club since 1951, serving two terms as National President
  • Member NZ Federated Mountain Clubs (including term as Vice President)
  • Member of Mt Cook National Park Board and Aoraki National Park Reserves and Conservation Boards 1977-1993
  • Visited Antarctica to help instruct American field personnel in glacier travel and survival techniques

Honours and Awards

  • First person to climb all New Zealand’s peaks over 10,000 feet (or 3,000 metres)
  • Life Member NZ Alpine Club
  • NZ Land Search and Rescue Award 1998
  • Member of NZ Order of Merit for service to mountaineering and Search and Rescue 2000

Last updated: 16 Sep 2021