BiographyJOHN HARRINGTON
As a playmate in Puketahi Street in Greymouth my friend John Harrington who lived at number 16 used to tell us kids, that one day he would be a millionaire. I guess that all kids say things like that at some time or other, but John did go on to do just that, and quite a bit more. John began working by driving the delivery van, which he had taken over from his Father Stan. John who had a real nice outgoing personality was very popular with all of his country customers. Going forward a few years and after he was married, he and his wife Val Jones shifted to Christchurch. I next heard of John, and he was managing the West Melton ? Hotel, out of Christchurch, I think there may have been another hotel involved. He was also into lighting and sound systems for the big shows that came to Christchurch. Years later I learnt that John had started a brewery in Christchurch called, strangely “Harrington’s Brewery.”
In 1997 “Harrington’s Brewery expanded into Richmond, where they set up their latest plant in Beach Rd. Early 1999 he opened another brewery in Blenheim, so I’m sure John has carried out his “boast” to become a millionaire, maybe twice over, and he is about two years older than me. Footnote. During the visit of Prince Harry in May of 2015 Harrington's Brewery had a Harringtons alcoholic Ginger Beer sent on to Stewart Island Hotel were the Prince was visiting. (Prince Harry is a red head, hence the connection.) Well done JohnContributorBrian McIntyre
West Coast New Zealand History (30th Dec 2016). John Harrington. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 23rd Sep 2026 20:02, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/2321
