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Vol 48, No 28
The lovely legacy of Yvonne Featherstone
Yvonne Featherstone’s 25 year career in New Zealand customs saw her make history as the first uniformed female customs officer in the country. In May, Yvonne passed away, leaving behind a legacy of service to others. By THERESE HENKIN
L
es Featherstone lost the love of his life this year. And New Zealand lost a pioneer for women in the workforce. Yvonne Featherstone made history in 1973 as the country's first uniformed female customs officer, paving the way for women to make their mark in New Zealand customs. When Yvonne first began working at Auckland Airport in 1970, a male customs officer could not search a female suspect so female police officers would do a search if available. At the time, Yvonne was working
as a customs clerk, and was asked if she would do the searches when required. It wasn’t long before the customs department decided they needed full time female customs officers. Yvonne was the first to accept the job, a historic appointment that would be the start of many firsts for the Pakuranga local. She was joined by Noelene Chamberlain and Audrey Barnet. Yvonne later processed the first passenger through the new international terminal and became the first female investigations officer in Customs. “She was extraordinary. She loved
her work and I am so proud of her,” says husband Les, who also worked at the airport. He was chief fire officer in the Crash Fire Department. Les says the key to Yvonne’s success was that she always went the extra mile. He said one day when she was working on a surveillance job for an investigation, she was in the car watching a house when the occupant came out. “She had to embrace her work mate to make it look like a courting couple. Good thing I’m not the jealous type,” Les laughs. Les was his wife’s greatest supporter. The pair met in Scotland
in 1956. “I offered her a ride. I was also giving another guy a ride so I decided to drop him off first so I would get a few minutes alone with her,” Les smiles. Five weeks later Les proposed to Yvonne in a bright red Rolls Royce fire engine and the couple wed in an intimate ceremony on March 6, 1956. It was the beginning of a love story that would span more than six decades. They returned to England together to start their family. “I loved her from the minute I met her and I knew she was the one for me,” he says. Eventually the pair moved to New
Zealand for GBP 680. Their rent at the time cost them around $6.80 a week for a home in Mangere. This was when Yvonne went back to work. She started out as a sales officer for the UEB before moving on to work for the airport because it was one of few places that offered her equal pay. She remained at the airport for 25 years. After she retired, Yvonne became a foundation member of the Blue Coats hospitality ambassadors alongside Les. She spent 11 years in that role. ➤ Turn to Page 3
Papalii steps up for Premiers All Black and Blues forward Dalton Papalii poses with the ball kids on Saturday July 6 for a rare match with his club Pakuranga United Rugby Club. In October last year PURC congratulated its newest All Black squad member loose forward who gained selection in the 32 man touring squad to Japan and Europe. Papalii became the club’s first All Black squad member to play for both the junior and senior playing ranks of the club. He also played for St Kent’s 1st XV while at high school. He was this month named in the All Blacks 39-strong squad for the first two matches of the Investec Rugby Championship against Argentina and South Africa beginning this weekend.
Dalton Papalii pulled on his kit for a game with the Pakuranga United Rugby Club Prems. Photo supplied
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