44-778: Ashhurst ( Māori : Whārite ) is a town and outlying suburb of Palmerston North , in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island . Ashhurst is sited 14 kilometres northeast of the Palmerston North city centre. The town stands under the Ruahine Ranges , beneath Wharite Peak , which is the most notable peak on the south end of the Ruahine Range, upon which is the television and radio transmitter. Ashhurst covers 4.21 km (1.63 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 3,440 as of June 2024, with
88-609: A doctor and a post office. In 1876, Palmerston North became a Local Board District, within the Wellington Provincial Council . This existed until the abolition of the provinces later the same year. Also in the same year, the council set aside land north of the Manawatū River for the purposes of a reserve. In 1890, this land was again set aside and would become, in 1897, the Victoria Esplanade . By 1877, when
132-771: A population density of 817 people per km. Ashhurst had a population of 2,934 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 285 people (10.8%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 501 people (20.6%) since the 2006 census . There were 1,074 households, comprising 1,428 males and 1,506 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 35.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 726 people (24.7%) aged under 15 years, 492 (16.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,320 (45.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 396 (13.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 89.0% European/ Pākehā , 18.6% Māori , 3.1% Pacific peoples , 2.8% Asian , and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
176-528: A roll of 478 as of August 2024. Palmerston North Palmerston North ( / ˈ p ɑː m ər s t ən / ; Māori : Te Papa-i-Oea , colloquially known as Palmerston or Palmy ) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located in the eastern Manawatu Plains , the city is near the north bank of the Manawatū River , 35 km (22 mi) from
220-514: Is 760 metres (2,493 ft) above sea level. This is in the Tararua ranges, south-east of Scotts Road. The lowest point is 10 metres (33 ft) above sea level. This is at the river bank near Te Puna Road. Incidentally, both these locations are in the south-west of the city, by Linton. There are 5.54 square kilometres (1,369 acres) dedicated to public reserves. The length of the Manawatū river within
264-459: Is approximately 960 mm (37.8 in) with rain occurring approximately 5% of the time. There are on average 200 rain-free days each year. In the ranges that flank the city there is often sustained wind, especially in spring. Much of this land is within the city boundaries, and these ranges have the reputation of providing the most consistent wind in the country. Close to the city is the largest electricity-generating series of wind farms in
308-663: Is now Palmerston North Airport . From 1938, the First Labour government (1935–1949) initiated state housing programmes in West End (Savage Crescent precinct) and Roslyn. In 1941, the Manawatū River flooded again, having last flooded in 1902. Large parts of Hokowhitu and Awapuni were underwater, with residents evacuating to higher ground (peaked at 5.8m). In 1940, the Māori Battalion was formed in Palmerston North and trained at
352-796: The 2018 census , and an increase of 5,676 people (7.8%) since the 2013 census . There were 37,860 males, 39,717 females and 441 people of other genders in 28,620 dwellings. 4.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 35.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 14,958 people (19.2%) aged under 15 years, 17,955 (23.0%) aged 15 to 29, 32,868 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 12,243 (15.7%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 72.1% European ( Pākehā ); 21.1% Māori ; 6.3% Pasifika ; 15.5% Asian ; 1.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
396-519: The New Zealand Rugby Museum ), and several performing arts venues. Ngāti Rangitāne were the local Māori iwi ( tangata whenua ) living in the area known as Te Ahu-ā-Tūranga , when a trader, Jack Duff, became the earliest known European to explore the area c. 1830 . He came on a whaling ship and explored possibly as far inland as the site of Woodville. He reported his discovery on arrival back to Porirua. Colonel Wakefield heard of
440-517: The Borough Council came into existence, Palmerston North was an isolated village in the midst of the native forest that covered inland Manawatu. By 1878, the population was 880 and sawmilling was the main industry of the district. The arrival of the railway in 1886 saw an increase in the speed of growth, and the town was at the centre of a lucrative agricultural district. The opening of the nearby Longburn Freezing Works provided employment, while
484-586: The Borough Council instigated more infrastructural schemes such as the sewerage system. The Railway through the Manawatū Gorge to Napier was completed in 1891. In 1893, Rangitāne sold the Hokowhitu block, increasing the area of land available for settlement. In the same year, the Public Hospital opened in a wooden building on Terrace Street (now Ruahine Street). The hospital required significant fundraising. At
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#1732851606929528-505: The Duke of Edinburgh are among visitors to Palmerston North. On 1 November 1989, New Zealand local government authorities were reorganised. Palmerston North City boundaries were extended to include Ashhurst , Linton and Turitea through amalgamation of parts of the former Kairanga County, Oroua County and Ashhurst Town Council. On 1 July 2012, Bunnythorpe, Longburn, part of the area around Kairanga and an area around Ashhurst were transferred from
572-526: The Esplanade Scenic Railway at Victoria Esplanade. The railway features a 2.2 km (1.4 mi) miniature railway track offering 20-minute rides through native bush. In 1970, the New Zealand Rugby Museum was established and a tribute to the founding father of rugby in New Zealand, Charles Munro, was opened at Massey University. In 1971, a competition to design a civic building for
616-575: The Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021. Starting in 2022, there is a Māori ward called Te Pūao Ward, with two councillors; and a general ward called Te Hirawanui Ward, with 13 councillors. Before the 2016 election councillors were elected representing one of five city wards, but Palmerston North's electoral wards were abolished by the Local Government Commission in 2013. The 2013 election also saw
660-579: The Manawatū District to Palmerston North City. Although the land Palmerston North is situated on is bounded by the lofty Ruahine and Tararua ranges in the east and south respectively, the city has a predominantly flat appearance. The occasional rise in elevation occurs further away from the river and is especially pronounced in the north and northeast, and also on the south side of the river. The typical urban area elevation ranges between 20 and 40 metres (65–130 ft) above sea level. The highest point
704-537: The Showgrounds (now Arena Manawatu). In 1942, Linton Army Camp was established. After the war, the city's growth was rapid. In 1949, the city's boundaries had extended to include Milson and Kelvin Grove. In 1953, the boundaries would further extend to include Awapuni, which in the same year, was again flooded by the Manawatū River, along with Hokowhitu. It was the largest flood since 1902. Although work had started in 1926, it
748-525: The Wellington Provincial Council (under whose jurisdiction the new purchase fell) and made the original survey and subdivision in the Papaioea forest clearing. The settlement, named Palmerston to commemorate the recently deceased Prime Minister of Great Britain , was laid out according to Stewart's plan, consisting of a series of wide and straight streets in a rectangular pattern. The focal point
792-637: The amalgamation of the Massey Agricultural College with the Palmerston North University College. In 1964, it became Massey University , an autonomous tertiary learning institution with the power to grant its own degrees. In 1967, city boundaries were again extended to include land in Aokautere, Kelvin Grove, Milson, Amberley (Westbrook) and Awapuni as part of future growth for the next 25 years. In 1969, volunteers established
836-423: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 12,585 (20.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 33,063 (52.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 14,070 (22.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 39,900, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 5,601 people (8.9%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
880-423: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 13,860 (19.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 37,113 (52.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 15,489 (22.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 40,800, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 6,591 people (9.4%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
924-462: The city boundary is 29.9 kilometres (18.6 mi) and its tributary at Ashhurst, the Pohangina, is 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi). Palmerston North's climate is temperate (Köppen Cfb) , with warm summer afternoon temperatures of 20 – 22 °C (72 °F) in summer and 12 °C (54 °F) in winter. On average temperatures rise above 25 °C (77 °F) on 20 days of the year. Annual rainfall
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#1732851606929968-458: The east and west coasts of the southern North Island. However, the Gorge has been closed since April 2017 and the road link to the east coast from Ashhurst is now via Saddle Road. There are four buses on weekdays and one on Saturdays linking Palmerston North with Ashhurst. Ashhurst was named for Lord Henry Ashhurst, who owned land in the immediate area. The Māori name for the area is Raukawa , after
1012-506: The end of the decade, the Boer War broke out in South Africa and men from Palmerston North were among the volunteers. By 1900 the population had reached 6,000. In the 1910s, Palmerston North's growth was steady. The population in 1911 about 10,991 (excluding Māori). The city was affected by World War I, with Awapuni Racecourse being used as an army training camp in 1914. During the course of
1056-608: The mid-19th century, it was settled by Europeans—originally by Scandinavians and, later, British settlers. On foundation, the British settlement was bestowed the name Palmerston, in honour of Viscount Palmerston , a former British Prime Minister . The suffix North was added in 1871 to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the South Island . Today, the name is often informally shortened to "Palmy". Early Palmerston North relied on public works and sawmilling. The west coast railway
1100-403: The native aromatic plant Pseudopanax edgerleyi, whereas for the town it is Otangaki. Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward was Palmerston North's largest ward covering the area from James Line to part way through the Manawatū Gorge, to just north of Ashhurst township. Wards were abolished in Palmerston North in 2013. Ashhurst School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with
1144-561: The potential that the Manawatu had for development and visited in 1840. In 1846 Charles Hartley, another trader, heard from tangata whenua of a clearing in the Papaioea forest, and he proceeded through the dense bush and forest and discovered it for Europeans. In 1858, the Government began negotiations with local iwi to purchase land in Manawatu. There was a dispute at the time between the rival iwi Ngāti Rangitāne and Ngāti Raukawa as to who had
1188-568: The right to sell. The dispute is resolved in favour of Rangitāne. On a visit in 1859, John Tiffin Stewart , an employee of the Wellington Provincial Council , was shown the Papaioea clearing by the Rangitāne chief, Te Hirawanu, and noted its suitability for a "good site for a township". In 1864, Te Ahu-a-Turanga Block was sold by Rangitāne to the Government for £12,000, in an effort to open the Manawatu to settlement. Stewart returned in 1866 on behalf of
1232-459: The river's mouth, and 12 km (7 mi) from the end of the Manawatū Gorge , about 140 km (87 mi) north of the capital, Wellington . Palmerston North is the country's eighth-largest urban area , with an urban population of 83,100 (June 2024). The estimated population of Palmerston North city is 92,500 (June 2024). The official limits of the city take in rural areas to
1276-535: The same year, the suffix North was added to distinguish the settlement of the same name in Otago . In 1872, a petition was launched to change the name of the settlement. A public meeting in 1873 ends with no clear decision on the name. The railway line was laid through the Square in 1875. The foundation stone for the original All Saints Church was laid by Louisa Snelson on 29 September 1875. By 1875 there were newspapers,
1320-567: The south, north-east, north-west and west of the main urban area, extending to the Tararua Ranges ; including the town of Ashhurst at the mouth of the Manawatū Gorge, the villages of Bunnythorpe and Longburn in the north and west respectively. The city covers a land area of 395 square kilometres (98,000 acres). The city's location was once little more than a clearing in a forest and occupied by small communities of Māori , who called it Papa-i-Oea , believed to mean "How beautiful it is". In
1364-537: The southern hemisphere, with 286 turbines in the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges providing power for approximately 50,000 homes. Palmerston North City covers 394.74 km (152.41 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 92,500 as of June 2024, with a population density of 234 people per km . This comprises 83,100 people in the Palmerston North urban area, 3,440 people in the Ashhurst urban area, and 5,960 people in
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1408-403: The surrounding settlements and rural area. Palmerston North City had a population of 87,090 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 2,451 people (2.9%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 7,011 people (8.8%) since the 2013 census . There were 42,453 males, 44,166 females and 471 people of other genders in 31,776 dwellings. 4.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age
1452-475: The vacant railway land at the Square, was won by Wellington architects, Maurice and John Patience. The resulting building was finished in 1979. In 1976, the Manawatu and Oroua rivers flooded, 24-hour rainfall records in Feilding and Palmerston North were exceeded and some residents from both locations were evacuated. In 1977, Palmerston North City Council celebrated its Centenary of Municipal government. The Queen and
1496-538: The war, the Borough Council renamed all German-sounding and foreign street names. When the war finished in 1918, celebrations were delayed due to the Influenza epidemic. In 1930, the population reached the 20,000 threshold and Palmerston North was officially proclaimed a city, the 7th in New Zealand. Development was slow due to the Great Depression and World War II . An airport was established at Milson in 1936, which
1540-428: Was $ 34,300, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 297 people (13.5%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,179 (53.4%) people were employed full-time, 294 (13.3%) were part-time, and 66 (3.0%) were unemployed. Ashhurst's importance stems from its location at the western end of the Manawatū Gorge . As such, it was close to the easiest road and rail link between
1584-447: Was 12.9, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.3% had no religion, 32.8% were Christian , 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.6% were Hindu , 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.4% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 384 (17.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 438 (19.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
1628-511: Was 35.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 16,899 people (19.4%) aged under 15 years, 19,401 (22.3%) aged 15 to 29, 37,125 (42.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 13,665 (15.7%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 73.8% European ( Pākehā ); 20.7% Māori ; 5.9% Pasifika ; 14.4% Asian ; 1.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
1672-450: Was an open space of 17 acres (7 ha) subsequently known as The Square. On 3 October 1866, Palmerston was formally endorsed after Isaac Earl Featherston (Wellington Provincial Superintendent) signed a proclamation defining the boundaries of the settlement. The first sections were sold after. Among the first settlers included Scandinavians, who arrived in 1871. They established settlements at Awapuni and Whakarongo/Stoney Creek. Later
1716-409: Was built in 1886, linking the town to Wellington, and Palmerston North benefited from a booming pastoral farming industry. Linton Military Camp , Palmerston North Hospital , and the establishment of Massey University (in 1927) have reduced the dependence on farming due to more skilled workers, since the early 20th century. Popular attractions include Te Manawa (a museum and art gallery that includes
1760-580: Was not until 1959 the Milson Deviation of the North Island Main Trunk was opened. This meant future trains would pass to the north of the city, instead of through the Square. Later in 1963, the railway station at Tremaine Avenue opens. The last trains passed through the Square in 1964. In 1961, the Highbury was added to the council area. In 1963, Massey University College of Manawatu was formed by
1804-557: Was spoken by 95.5%, Māori language by 5.2%, Samoan by 1.0% and other languages by 15.0%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 22.7, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 31.9% Christian , 2.4% Hindu , 2.0% Islam , 1.2% Māori religious beliefs , 1.2% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.3%, and 6.9% of people did not answer
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1848-557: Was spoken by 95.7%, Māori language by 5.0%, Samoan by 1.0% and other languages by 14.2%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.9%. The percentage of people born overseas was 21.8, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 31.9% Christian , 2.2% Hindu , 1.8% Islam , 1.1% Māori religious beliefs , 1.1% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.8%, and 7.0% of people did not answer
1892-606: Was that 31,872 (50.5%) people were employed full-time, 8,481 (13.4%) were part-time, and 2,007 (3.2%) were unemployed. Palmerston North is governed by a city council consisting of the Mayor and 15 councillors , elected on a citywide basis. In 2017 the Council voted to create a Māori ward, but the decision was overturned by a city-wide referendum in May 2018. In 2021, Palmerston North City Council decided to establish Māori and general wards under
1936-429: Was that 35,859 (51.1%) people were employed full-time, 9,570 (13.6%) were part-time, and 2,154 (3.1%) were unemployed. Palmerston North's urban area covers 77.05 km (29.75 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 83,100 as of June 2024, with a population density of 1,079 people per km . The urban area had a population of 78,021 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 1,740 people (2.3%) since
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