Duff Heron Maxwell 1903 - 1997

Duff was born in Rahotu, Taranaki in 1903. He visited The Elms frequently as a child, and grew to love the place, as much as his aunt. In 1927 he married Gertrude Huggins, who was to make great sacrifices to preserve the mission property. They had three children.

When Alice died, Duff was working as a bee-keeper. He transferred this business to Tauranga, converting the old coach house and stable at The Elms for his honey packing business. When back problems made it impossible for him to carry on, he took a variety of jobs, which allowed him to spend most of his time on the upkeep of the garden, and in showing visitors around the property.

Gertrude died in 1991. The following year Duff moved out of The Elms into residential care. The mission house had been occupied by just three generation of the family since its completion in 1847. Duff himself died in1997 and is buried in the Mission Cemetery.