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District History
The sounds of human voices have echoed across the Manawatu for hundreds
of years, creating a rich history in which people of many cultures have played
a part.
Maori Settlement
Although it is not known when they first arrived, Maori were the first people
to inhabit the region. Archaeological evidence indicates that a camp site near
Foxton was occupied 600 to 700 years ago and that the inhabitants enjoyed a varied
diet of fish and bird including the now extinct Moa.
Tribal tradition suggests that the descendants of Whatonga (captain of the Kurahaupo
canoe) and Turi (captain of the Aotea canoe) were among the earliest inhabitants
of the Manawatu region.
In time they were joined by newcomers from Hawke's Bay, Taupo and Waikato - descendants
of people associated with the Takitimu, Arawa and Tainui canoes.
Some of these newcomers arrived with peaceful intentions marrying into the local
population. Others arrived as invaders creating conflict that overshadowed the
region for many years.
By 1840 when New Zealand had became a British colony, three tribal groups - Rangitane,
Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Kauwhata - occupied the banks of the Manawatu River and
its tributaries.
These people retain their identity to this day, playing an active role in the
social, political and economic development of the region.
European Settlement
Between 1840 and 1900, thousands of European settlers moved into the Manawatu
region where they transformed forest and swamp into farms and towns.
While most settlers came from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland there were
smaller groups from Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Switzerland,
Greece and Lebanon.
European settlement began along the lower reaches of the Rangitikei and Manawatu
Rivers during the 1840s and 1850s then moved inland. Palmerston North and Feilding
began life as timber-milling towns during the 1870s but rapidly became farming
centres as forest fell to axe and fire.
The port of Foxton was the gateway to the region during the early years of European
settlement but it declined in importance as a network of railway lines spread
across the landscape.
By 1900 the Manawatu landscape was characterised by thousands of sheep and dairy
farms and the exporting of large quantities of butter, cheese, wool and frozen
meat to overseas markets.
With the arrival of hydro-electric power in the 1920s and air transport in the
1930s (based at Palmerston North International Airport), the region embraced a new era of economic
growth which continues to the present day.
Recent Developments
During the past 50 years the Manawatu Region's economy has diversified dramatically.
While sheep and cattle farming continues to dominate, deer, goat and ostrich farming
is becoming increasing popular.
Cropping, horticulture, poultry farming and forestry continue to provide valuable
revenue and in recent years cottage industries have sprung up to satisfy demand
for the more exotic produce.
When Manawatu celebrated the new Millennium, many noted just how much the region
had changed in recent years, particularly in terms of its ethnic make-up.
People from Holland, Russia, Turkey, Iran, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia,
Vietnam, China, Japan, the Pacific Islands and many other countries continue to
settle here, creating a multi-cultural society of which Manawatu residents can
feel proud.
Manawatu District Today
Manawatu District has one unique feature - its central location and its position
as the gateway to four other regions: Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Rangitikei and Horowhenua.
Two hours from Napier, Wellington and Mount Ruapehu, one hour from Masterton and
three hours from New Plymouth, Manawatu residents have easy access to provinces
offering some of the best beaches, vineyards and adventure playgrounds this country
has to offer. More importantly though, Manawatu's central location gives the region
huge economic advantages.
With easy access to four seaports, seven airports, a major Air Force base and
two large military bases it is a highly strategic cargo, transport and business
hub for the lower North Island and the country.
While many Manawatu District residents (population 28,600) work in nearby Palmerston
North, high numbers of Palmerston North residents drive in the opposite direction
to work in Feilding. Manawatu's highly fertile soil has long been one of the single
biggest contributors to the region's economy and in recent years processing and
support industries for the agricultural sector have "mushroomed". To a large extent
this is thanks to the ongoing effort of the region's business leaders to form
alliances between the agri-cultural, industrial, research and technology sectors. |
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