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Tauranga father Ian Manson found out he was adopted at age 48. Now in his 70s, Manson and his family have uncovered a new side to their family tree with ancestors across the Bay of Plenty region, including Rotorua. He tells his story of meeting his biological mother for the first time and discovering his Māori heritage.
Ian Manson’s adoption was kept a “secret” for decades.
The 78-year-old grew up as an only child near Wellington and his adoptive parents “never” told him.
Ian was 48 when he found out.
His wife, Leigh Manson, was at a friend’s house where a mutual connection “let slip”.
The series is an independent project created, produced and edited by fellow adoptee Alex Gilbert, who runs a New Zealand and worldwide support network for adoptees. The first season of the documentary series, released on YouTube last year, featured the stories of 12 different adopted people and had more than 200,000 views.
Television professionals Hamish Dodd and Bridgid Davis also helped with the production of Ian’s story, Gilbert said.
‘They kept that a secret’
Ian understood he was born in Waihi and adopted at 4-and-a-half months.
His adoptive parents treated him well but never told him he was adopted.
“They kept that a secret.”
Leigh Manson, Ian Manson's wife, found out her husband was adopted from a mutual connection. Photo / Alex Gilbert, I'm Adopted
Ian and Leigh met in Wellington in 1966 where Leigh was studying to be a pharmacist and Ian was a mechanic.
Leigh - from Te Puke - moved to Tauranga to be closer to her family and for work in 1967. Ian followed.
They got married in 1969 and had two children - Yolande and Gary.
In 1986, Leigh was at a friend’s house and they were talking about their children’s health.
Her friend’s mother was Ian’s adoptive mother’s neighbour.
“She just said, ‘Well it can’t be hereditary because Ian’s adopted.”
‘You didn’t fit into my plans’
Leigh said she had to keep it a secret while Ian’s adoptive father was alive and able to tell him.
“I was trying to convince him that it was his place to tell him ... "
His adoptive mother died before Ian found out. His adoptive father died the same year Ian found out, but Ian chose not to tell his adoptive father due to him being sick.
In 1994, Leigh told Ian she had something “serious” to tell him and put some tissues on the table.
She said Ian said, “What are you going to tell me, that I’m adopted or something?”
“It’s definitely opened up new avenues, new places to belong, new people to connect with, and everywhere we go we meet people we’re related to now, which never would have happened before.”
A ‘resource’ for other adoptees
Gilbert - who lives in Auckland - said his documentary series was a “resource” for other adoptees who may want to “follow someone else’s experiences”.
The 32-year-old shared his adoption story on his YouTube channel.
Adoptee Alex Gilbert has created a documentary series called An Adoption Story.
His experience led him to setting up a group to help others and creating the series.
He set up I’m Adopted in 2015 as a Facebook page. It became a registered charity in 2020 and has a Givealittle page.
Adoptees who wish to submit their story for the series can do so on Gilbert’s website.
