Gene Lambert

Born in Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand in the 1950’s, the youngest of three boys. He has been described as decending from good pioneering stock which is a testament to his heritage. His mother Janet from a third generation Scottish family and his father King whose Maori heritage includes both Kahungunu and Tuhoe tribes. These were people who had their roots firmly embedded in the land so his younger years were hugely influenced by this lifestyle.

It is an identity he is very comfortable with.

Hill county still runs in his veins from the days when he worked his way up through the ranks resulting in the management of rugged development farms. Both in the Hawkes Bay and Wanganui regions. All achieved with no formal qualifications and when asked how he managed this, he has a little chuckle that speaks volumes.

"Not Bullshiting" is a pretty good place to start.

A combination of factors determined his move from the farming industry to where he is today. When asked what he was actually doing now there was a nod with a slow grin. "Pretty much the same as when I was on the farm 'and it still works' then the interview was over.

Me with Smithie 1950's

Interests

Mad keen rugby player in his day and quite proud of the fact he drove 12,000 miles in one season just for the game. Feels guilty about his involvement in the trend toward the professional era. Had to drive 2 ½ hours, each way, three times a week to get to rep training and when he decided to quit they offered him $10 worth of petrol vouches. (He took it)
Hunting and fishing not only put food on the table it was also part of the back blocks way of living. This was the life his forbears had lived but when asked if he had ever had a trout fishing licence the conversation seemed to change direction somehow and there is still no answer.
Horses and dogs were a major part of everyday life so it was natural he became involved in those sports. Equestrian gave way to rugby and he was involved with dog trialling until he had to sell his team and move to town.
When it took until Wedneday for the body to come right for the next Saturday he took up golf until a mortgage came along and blew that game as well. Dabbled with wood carving but as maturity gained a foothold the need to tell a yarn on paper developed from a tiny sliver of an idea into a reality.

Click to enlarge

Education

Gene attended three schools. Papanui Junction School North West of Hunterville (20 kids), Tukemokihi School up the Mangapoiki Valley north of Wairoa (9 kids) and he boarded at Te Aute College in Hawkes Bay (90) Way too overcrowded for a country boy who made up the total of two in his class back home. 51% for School C English and Maths he can't remember. Chuckles when he tells how he 'negotiated' his way through a Biology exam by citing the life cycle of a paracite. Read about liver fluke on the side of a sheep drench container in the woolshed back home. Took early retirement from College immediately after the rugby season then went back shepherding to further his education. The long hours in the saddle mustering gave him time to develop the ability to tell so many believable stories 40 years later.

• First ever job - cutting variegated thistles for $1 a day. Loved it,
• Second job. Digging sheep shit out from under the woolshed. States he was nominated because he was the smallest and wouldnt bang his head on the floor boards!! Still thinks he was conned.
*Refer Book #1 "Just a Job"

 • Shepherd,
• Horse Breaker,
• Farrier,
• Shearer,
• Fencer,
• Scrub cutter,
• Bulldozer Driver,
• Truck Driver,
• Drover,

 

• P.R. Consultant. Talked himself out of trouble on the odd occasion.
• Vet? When one of his dogs got ripped, or a horse needed castrating he did the job.
• Labourer,
• Demolition. (States he was a natural)
• Butcher,

• Tree Feller,
• Farm Manager,

• Pourer of concrete,
• Pest controller,
• Barman,
• Unemployed,
• Prison Officer,
• Writer of almost believable stuff,