Chapter 21.7 

Donald Marky Elers 

18.2.1943 – 29.5.2020

Donald Marky Elers (Mark)

Mark is the second eldest son to James Elers and Helen Tauwhare. 

The family lived in Masterton until Mark was eight years old when they then moved to Feilding. During this time Mark attended the catholic primary schools St Patrick’s in Masterton and St Joseph’s in Feilding. Mark chose to attend secondary school at Queen Elizabeth in Palmerston North. Although this required commuting by bus every day, Queen Elizabeth had more focus in the trade and academic subjects opposed to the agriculture and farming subjects offered in most other schools in the region

Mark was 13 years old when Helen died and he finished his school years living with the Allison family in Feilding, the first of two foster families.

While at school, Mark applied and was successful in getting a boiler maker apprenticeship at JJ Nivens, an engineering firm in Palmerston North. He was 15 at the time and left school as soon as he was awarded the apprenticeship. He had to wait three months before starting his apprenticeship, so time was spent bagging and delivering coal to local homes.

Mark started his 10,000-hour apprenticeship, having some time deducted because he had completed three years of secondary school. In his second year of his apprenticeship, he gained honours of being the top apprentice in New Zealand. He repeated this feat again in his third year. Mark was part of the site crew which travelled New Zealand installing new plant and equipment. He also spent time in Napier working in JJ Nivens boiler workshop. 

Mark continued at Nivens for a short time after completing his apprenticeship, and while working in Palmerston North he stayed with his second foster family, the Gibsons.

It’s the 60’s now and New Zealand was starting to move, and so was Mark. The Auckland harbour bridge was being built, putting a strain on qualified tradesmen throughout New Zealand. At the same time the No. 3 paper machine was being built at Kinleith Tokoroa. With the promise of nine months’ work, Mark moved to Tokoroa to work for Robert Stones. Nine months turned to nine years – and Mark turned from tradesman to charge hand to leading hand. The move to Tokoroa was about to change Mark’s life forever.

Firstly, Mark was drafted in the ballot and was a member of the eighth intake to the National service. As a 21-year-old Mark did his basic training followed by the mandatory 20 days each year for three years, and on completing this, Mark signed on for a further three years.

Secondly, in 1965, while on a weekend trip from Tokoroa across to Rotorua, Mark met a young Te Arawa woman - Margaret Hodge. The trips to Rotorua became a more frequent occurrence and in 1967 they became husband and wife. Margaret moved to Tokoroa where they lived together for the next three years of marriage.

By the end of the 60’s Mark had become a husband and father. Lania was born in 1968. 

The 70’s started with another addition to the family with Mark (Jnr) born in April 1970, and then a move to Rotorua and the construction of a home in Ward Ave. It’s here that Mark and Margaret (Margy to friends) set their roots and “40 Ward Ave” would become known as “home”. 

Another year along and another addition to the family with Donald born in August 1971.   

Mark continued to learn and develop as an engineer working for Rotorua firms Pilcher Engineering and Mills Tui Trailers. Mills Tui specialised in transport equipment, fire engines and the 80’s contract with the army assembly and supply of military trucks. Work ethic and competency resulted in a consistent response from Mark's employers to be given more responsibility and promotions, and by the end of his eight years at Mills Tui Mark was Production Manager.

More investment back at Kinleith in Tokoroa presented an opportunity for Mark to switch from transport back to construction, which he preferred. Taking up a job as workshop foreman at Key Engineering. It wouldn’t be long before Mark was, again, asked to do bigger roles. And as Area Superintendent he was required to across the central and upper North Island - Whangarei, Auckland, Tokoroa, Kawerau and Rotorua. 

Mark leveraged his engineering skillset and contacts to pipe out the street at home with hot water supplied from the thermal bore next door at the Church. Friends and Whanau that visited would recall years later, how great it was to have our own thermal pool and steam cookers in the back yard – all Donald remembers was peeing on the hot pipes. . . . probably better than peeing in the pool. 

Margy largely kept things in check in the family home through the 70’s balancing shift work at the Post Office phone exchange and getting Lania, Mark and Donald through Kindy and onto school – Whakarewarewa (Whaka) Primary School. 

As was the way at that time, the local school was a key connection point for the community and both Mark and Margaret became active community parents involved with the Whaka Rugby and Netball club, organising sports equipment and arranging for neighbourhood kids to have sport, games and activities to do outside of school – after their “homework” of course. 40 Ward Ave was often the congregation point for the neighbourhood kids. Mark accommodated that somewhat by building the biggest trampoline he could fit into the back yard.     

The recession of the late 80’s saw a downturn in large construction and engineering. Mark saw an opportunity to fill the gap left by large companies that where closing and formed his own company. And being as “original” as always – Donald “Mark” Elers, having sons – Mark and Donald, his engineering business being “Marchon” Engineering Ltd (Mark – Don – Marchon). 

Typically employing 10-20 tradesmen, at times peaking near 100 employees when large maintenance shutdown programs where on at Kinleith, Tasman or Carter Holt. The ambition of having a family business made real with Margy and Mark Jnr joining on staff, and within five years the business had moved from operating out of a rented premises to an expanded freehold workshop.

While Mark grew up playing and participating in many sports including softball, basketball and rugby, his focus through the 70’s and 80’s was more on the education, sport and activities for his kids. Mark and Margy both being active members in the Whaka rugby and netball club. Lania played age group and senior netball and Mark and Donald playing Junior Advisory Board rugby at Whaka. 

Home dynamics started to change at the back end of the 80’s. Lania was studying Foresty Science at Waikato university, like his father - Mark Jnr had taken up an apprenticeship to become a “fitter and welder”, something that would set him up to join Mark at Marchon Engineering further down the track, and Donald had been sent off to boarding school. 

Margaret stayed in the telephony industry through the 70’s and 80’s – perhaps suited to an interest in wanting to know everyone’s business, or maybe just being a pleasant person to converse and communicate with. A progression of phone technology gave opportunity to change jobs and learn new things, but the kids weren’t that keen to tell friends where Margy worked when “subscriber trunk dialing” (or STD) came about. A shift from the central telecom service to the Social Welfare department made it much easier to explain when people would ask – “where does your mum work?”. 

Mark must have had a feeling that things were about to change again, either that or he had too much time on his hands. The roof came off the 3-bedroom family home and another level added. 12 months living in the garage, while this was done, was sold to the family as “an adventure”.  

On the very last day of the 80’s a new chapter would begin for Mark – GRANDAD! 

"Darand"

Carew Koopu Elers born 31st Dec 1989 – The first of Mark's grandchildren. Born to Donald and partner Rachel Koopu. Donald and Rachel had their second child, and Mark's second grandchild, Kiani Elers in March 1996. 

In April 1991 Mark and Margaret hosted friends and family in Rotorua for Mark Jnr's 21st. The 21st event at the Rotorua racecourse was followed the next day with a whanau “debrief” in the garage at Ward Ave. The formation of what was no doubt the result of many previous conversations on how to reconnect, and even just connect, the offspring and whanau from James Rupuha Elers. 

Mark was excited and proud to have supported the whanau to pull together an amazing inaugural reunion held two years later in Hastings. Something Mark always had a yearning for, having done research of his own to make sure he knew, where he came from and how he was connected. It was through his research that he “encouraged” Donald and Rachel to give his first grandson the name Carew.               

While the 90’s were presenting Lania, Mark and Donald their own opportunities, there was no rest for Mark and Margy, establishing and building their business and finding ways to continue to support Lania, Mark and Donald.

First of three weddings – Mark Jnr and Tracy (Hahn) were married in Fairy Springs, Rotorua 1994, Donald and Rachel (Koopu) were married in Hamurana Springs, Rotorua in 1997, Mark (Holt) and Lania held off till 2001 when immigration rules forced their decision somewhat. 

Two more grandchildren to bring the number to four for Mark and Margy. With Mark Jnr and Tracy welcoming Logan Elers (September 1997) and Nadia Elers (October 1999).      

The new tag of Granddad – or “Darand” as Logan would say, grew on Mark and while his stern nature seemed to soften at times his work ethic and desire to be busy was not changing in the slightest.

A shift in sport focus to Basketball for Mark Jnr and Donald, naturally meant a shift in focus for Mark and Margy. And through building a steady and successful business with Marchon Engineering, Mark was now not only able to provide time to support family and community sports but now sponsoring and managing teams and clubs around Rotorua.  

Always remaining engaged with the Whaka Club – mostly with Lania and netball in the 90’s, Mark also got involved in basketball with Mark Jnr and Donald. Taking on the management of Rotorua’s men’s basketball team – The Running Rebels, competing in the national league through the 90’s winners in 1993, 2nd place in 1994 and 1995.

Basketball season would come around, and for four or five months, every second weekend the Marchon – sorry, “team” van and trucks would be loaded up, whanau, friends and supporters tripping around the country for away games. Mark would always make time to connect with brothers and sisters in his travels. 

In 1997 Lania opted to take up an opportunity to work abroad. Taking her knowledge and experience in NZ forestry to the USA - she only needed carry on luggage. While she went away fairly “light” on luggage, the returning leg was in 1999 was quite the opposite. Bringing a fresh eyed, bushy tailed American man home to experience the real Vegas – “Roto-Vegas”, and another “Mark” (Holt) to throw in the mix. 

This would be a test for Mark (both Mark's – not Mark Jnr). No man would be good enough for Marks little girl, and Rotorua would be a far cry from bright lights, big city USA that Mark Holt was accustomed to. But it was only two years later in 2001 that Mark Holt and Lania married at Skyline Gondolas and settled in Rotorua.    

Moving on.....up???

At the end of 2003 the Holts were in the process of renovating a property they secured just around the corner from Ward Ave in Peace St. Mark and Margy took this as an opportunity to “help out” and packed up the family home to take residence in Peace Street. Together with the Holts, they worked to get a two-bedroom unit under the main house incorporated into renovation.

Mark and Margaret moved in before anything was finished, but Mark went straight to work finishing it off - another project to keep himself busy. The move enabled Mark (Jnr) and Tracy to shift their family into the old home at Ward Ave, as they too were in the process of building. 

2004 and a little more chaos at Peace Street. The Holts welcomed the first of their two children, Jakeb Holt born August 2004. Mark and Margy, still operating Marchon Engineering, things have ramped up for Mark at Whaka club – and beyond into the Rotorua Sub Union and Bay of Plenty rugby Boards, house renovations ongoing, trying to squeeze a five bedroom home down into a two-bedroom unit, and living in the same house with baby Jake. It would be a further three years before this stage of Mark and Margaret's legacy is complete. Mark and Lania welcoming Jessika Holt to the whanau in Sept 2007. 

If we wondered whether there were chinks in Mark's tough exterior when his first grandchild arrived, it was now obvious with six in total.  And a trifecta to boot, with Lania, Mark and Donald each having two children of their own, each with a boy and girl with the eldest being the boys. 

Lania – Jake and Jess; Mark – Logan and Nadia; Don – Carew and Kiani

Mark's wish of continuing life doing what he has been doing so far, except with more leisure time, was starting to take shape. Less time at the workshop, reno’s and home unit finished off, not as much sport and activity to keep up with from Lania or Mark. Whether by design or default, Mark become the go to person for Jake and Jess. School pick-ups, school events and assemblies, Mark was there. Unfortunately for Jess and Jake, he didn’t drop his standard of music choice and they too, were made to endure all the car rides listening to all of Mark's favorite old country songs. Mark had an overwhelming passion for country music right from a young age.

Earlier in life, Mark's energy and effort was focused on supporting and helping his family and community. The “effort” had now switched to become his leisure. If he wasn’t helping family or at work, he was at the Whaka Club. Mark moved into the role of club president for the 2006 season, this position he kept for 9 years and to the best of our knowledge is the longest serving President that the club has had. Mark was respected and held in high regard by the Whaka Club and Community. 

Mark treated his service to the Whaka Club as another job. He brought to it the professionalism that he held as student, an apprentice, a tradesman and businessman. So again, it should be no surprise that he was asked to take on more. New Zealand Rugby Union came calling, they had put the Bay of Plenty rugby union into statutory management and needed help to get it back on track. They were impressed by Mark’s management at Whaka, his work with Rotorua Basketball and with his background in business. Mark was asked to be on Bay of Plenty Rugby Union board, and he held this position from 2008 till 2012, helping bring the Bay of Plenty rugby out of the red and into the black. 

In 2010, while in Christchurch with the Bay of Plenty team, Mark and Margy were woken at 4.35am on the morning of the 4th September as an earthquake hit Canterbury. This was an experience that by the time they got back to Rotorua later that afternoon they needed to stop at the Whaka Club to have a few stiff drinks with friends to calm and settle the nerves. Mark was very humble and proud of the opportunity given to him to help the wider Rugby Community in the Bay of Plenty and was grateful in all that the Whaka Club and Community gave in return for Mark and his family.  

Mark’s commitment to rugby did not stop there, he earnt respect amongst all the clubs in Rotorua and took up a position on Rotorua sub union. He was instrumental in setting up a trust fund from the proceeds sale of the Westbrook Rugby fields to the council where all the Rotorua Clubs would benefit for generations to come. Mark was later made a Life Member of the Rotorua Sub-Union.

Legacy 

Mark continued to work into retirement, though it was seemingly at a reduced level, he still had his passion for Marchon Engineering. Late 2010 and Mark's energy and availability to be able to provide a place for others to gain a wage for their own families was waning. It was getting harder to find enough work to keep everyone gainfully employed, and if that wasn’t an issue, it was difficult to find people that wanted to work. Mark made the decision to close Marchon Engineering, but first, he went about finding future employment for all his current work force. In 2011 Mark closed the doors to Marchon Engineering and he was so happy that all his employees had another job lined up. 

As a 68-year-old he had served the engineering community and was ready for a rest, the responsibility of being an employer was gone, and Mark and Margy were happy. As Mark (jnr) helped to finish off jobs for Marchon he saw the opportunity the same as Mark (snr) did in 1980s and decided to become an employer and start a next chapter in Marchon Engineering and subsequently purchased a workshop in Maisey Place with the help from Mark and Margy.

Donald moved to Wellington in 2010 and while there met Jaci Barnes, forming a strong bond and relationship. While Mark was happy to welcome another to the whanau – he was somewhat wary of an Aussie being in the mix, especially when the All Blacks were up against the Wallabies. 

A visit to New Zealand and Rotorua by Jaci’s father in 2017 resulted in Mark gifting an All Blacks jersey and an instruction that he had to wear it whenever the All Blacks were playing Aussie.  

Mark’s extra leisure time gave him and Margy opportunity to travel and help with family reunions and activities. 

They travelled to both Sydney and Samoa to attend weddings, followed Logan around the North Island as he played for the New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks and the Taranaki Mountainair’s in the New Zealand NBL, and with Jake on a Koru basketball tour to Australia. 

In his final years Mark did try to maintain a higher-than-expected work ethic and determination to help even through sickness and illness. Margaret became his rock and for once in his life he relied on someone else. Mark and Margy had an outstanding relationship, Mark, a very patriarchal approach and Margy happy (mostly) to hold things together in the background. Some might say, the perfect “Yin and Yang”. In Marks moment of need Margy stepped up to the plate and took over. Looking after and caring for Mark at his most vulnerable, an inspiration to us all. 

In May 2020 Mark was admitted to Rotorua hospital having complications from previous surgeries. Covid restrictions were in place, and it was a confusing time for everyone. Restrictions were not enough to prevent Lania, Mark and Donald and all Marks grandkids (except for Logan who was in the States) gathering to support Margy, checking in on Mark and catch up with each other at Peace Street. 

On the 29th of May 2020 while all gathered for dinner and with Mark recovering in hospital, Margy received the phonecall from the hospital, Mark had taken his last breath as he had no more service to give. 

The following is taken from Mark’s funeral service. 

Mark – Uncle Mark - The Engineer.

The engineer will see the end-product before the blueprints are actioned; In their heads they will in detail note, what is integral to the outcome.

There will be no room for shortcuts, no margin for error, when you cut the tape and look back at your creation, if you can say you were methodic and stuck to the plan, you can enjoy your creation knowing it will stand the test of time. You will never forget if you knew of a flaw in the process, your work is your signature, your fingerprint a reflection of you.

Uncle, it is clear to see you have engineered something special, your family is a reflection of your quality workmanship, you can now step back and rest, knowing your creation will stand the test of time. With Aunty Margaret, you set solid foundations based on hard work and integrity, and for all of us here today, it is clear to see there are no flaws in your work. Be proud of all that you have left behind for the rest of us to admire, know you have stamped your signature on your greatest creation. Your Family. 

By Craig Hodge (nephew) 2020

The Wonder Years

Lania and Mark Holt still reside at Peace Street in Rotorua with Margaret. Lania is a forestry scientist, and Mark has his own Computer Business, SBS Technologies Ltd. Jake is in his third year at the University of Waikato studying Engineering and Jess is in her last year of High School and is making plans to Study Engineering at University also. 

Mark (Jnr) and Tracy Elers are living in Rotorua, in 2021 Mark (Jnr) closed the doors on Marchon Engineering and headed back to school to train as a secondary school teacher. He gained his diploma in secondary school teaching in 2023 and is now the Director of Engineering at Rotorua Boy’s High School. Logan followed his dream and went to play basketball in the USA on scholarship at the School of Mines in South Dakota. He obtained his degree in Metallurgical Engineering and then followed this by gaining his Masters in Material Science. He also met his wife Allie Brown at the School of Mines and now they live in Phoenix Arizona where Logan is an R&D Engineer for Intel. Nadia attended Massey University in Wellington where she gained her degree as a Bachelor of Creative Media Production. She is currently working for the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand) and lives in Upper Hutt with her fiancé Jacob Collis, and they plan to be wed late in 2026.

Mark is remembered routinely in the lives of our whanau. His passing was an undeniably massive shock, and we miss him terribly, but he built us to be resilient and we have adapted. 

He was present during most of our lives, but Margy knew him the longest.  We await the right time to lay Marks ashes to rest – Margy will make that call. We rally around her, the Holts ever-present, grandkids regularly touching base, Mark (jnr) & Tracy visiting for the weekly beer on a Friday afternoon with Don and Jaci dialing in and friends and the wider whanau adding to the catchup when visiting – stop in for a cupper next time you’re in Rotorua. 

Mark was always proud of his Whanau, and we know he would still be that way today. His six grandkids and four great grandchildren are all “a chip of the old block” – and that’s something we are all grateful for. 

We look forward to future chapters and opportunities to connect and share how Mark's legacy is evolving.  

Love and miss you Donald Marky Elers, Mark Elers (Snr), Mark the husband, Mr E, the Boss, The Engineer, Daarand / Granddad, Dad.