Charles (Charlie) Edward Honeyfield was the youngest son of James and Caroline Honeyfield, and grandson to Dicky and Rāwinia Barrett.

Charlie married Mary Alice Harrison in 1902. The Harrison family were part of the New Zealand Company emigration scheme, arriving at New Plymouth in April 1841 on the first ship, the William Bryan (Puke Ariki). Dicky Barrett and his crew were on hand to assist the passengers onshore and to house them in temporary accomodation.

Charlie and Mary farmed for many years on one of the Honeyfield holdings at Tataraimaka before selling in 1916, eventually settling on a farm on Cambridge Road, near Te Awamutu in 1925. Charles managed the property on behalf of a partnership between himself and his brother-in-law.

In the early hours of 10 February 1927, Charlie meet with a horrible demise through being burned in his motor car. Charlie left his farm at about 3.00 a.m. to meet the Main Trunk Express at Te Awamutu. Motoring experts advanced the opinion that Charlie struck a match causing an explosion and the vehicle’s benzine flames enveloped him before he could get clear.

Charlie was described as a well-known and highly respected settler (The Honeyfields of Taranaki, 2014).

Charlie and Mary had two children:

Arthur Huia

• Born 31 July 1903
• Educated at Tataraimaka School
• Married Edith Sheele in 1938
• Died 1996

Winifred Harita

• Born 22 February 1905
• Married Robert Hughes
• Died 1985

Winifred and Robert settled in the Waikato.