Ashhurst

Ashhurst is a small town in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.

Ashhurst
Ashhurst
Coordinates: 40°18′S 175°45′E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui region
Territorial authorityPalmerston North City
Area
 • Total4.23 km2 (1.63 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2019)[1]
 • Total2,990
 • Density710/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Postcode
4810

Location

Ashhurst is sited 14 kilometres northeast of the city of Palmerston North and a satellite community of the city.

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.

Transport

Ashhurst's importance stems from its location at the western end of the Manawatu Gorge. As such, it was close to the easiest road and rail link between 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.

UzaBus from Palmerston North at Ashhurst in 2018

Ashhurst is the location of Palmerston North's second bridge crossing over the Manawatu.

There are four buses on weekdays and one on Saturdays linking Palmerston North with Ashhurst.[2]

Ashhurst's Commercial Tavern

Parks and reserves
  • Ashhurst Domain – A large multipurpose park which includes a camping ground, a lookout to the wind farm, a cemetery and canine area.
  • Durham Street Reserve and McCraes Bush Reserve[3][4][5]
  • Lincoln Park – The home ground to the local rugby team Ashhurst-Pohangina RFC

History

Ashhurst was named for Lord Henry Ashhurst, who owned land in the immediate area. The Māori name for the area is Raukawa, after a native aromatic plant (Pseudopanax edgerleyi), whereas for the town it is Otangaki.[6]

Local and central government representation

Former Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward

Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward is Palmerston North's largest ward covering the area from James Line to part way through the Manawatu Gorge, to just north of Ashhurst township. Recently Fitzherbert Ward was amalgamated with Ashhurst Ward.

The ward is predominantly rural, with most of the population living in Ashhurst, Aokautere and Linton. The area varies from the suburban to the foothills of the Tararua Ranges to the river valleys of the Manawatu and Pohangina Rivers.

The Saddle Road Bridge, which crosses this river, had to be recently replaced due to floods in 2004 when a flooded Pohangina River swept the bridge away. Saddle Road is the alternative route east now the Manawatu Gorge is closed.

There is an increasing amount of development in the area especially around Aokautere and Summerhill.

Because of the higher ground on the south bank of the Manawatu, there are views of the Ruahine Ranges and the northern parts of the city. On a clear day it is possible to see Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Taranaki.

Wards of Palmerston North
Ward NameSuburbs includingCouncillor(s)
Ashhurst-Fitzherbert WardAokautere, Ashhurst, Linton, Whakarongo, TuriteaTwo – Cr. Duncan McCann,

Central government

Education

Ashhurst School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[7][8] with a roll of 441 as of March 2020.[9]

Hiwinui School, located north-west of the Ashhurst township, is also a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, located north-west of the township.[10] It has a roll of 146.[11]

Notable people
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References
  1. "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. "Ashhurst Trial" (PDF). Horizons Regional Council. 3 April 2017.
  3. Ashhurst: Durham Street Reserve – McCraes Bush "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "ashhurst dot org :: Parks". Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  5. "McCrae's Bush – Wikimapia". Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  6. Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.
  7. "Ashhurst School Official School Website". ashhurst.school.nz.
  8. "Ashhurst School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  9. "Ashhurst School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  10. "Hiwinui School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  11. "Hiwinui School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
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