Levin, New Zealand

Levin (Māori: Taitoko) is the largest town and seat of the Horowhenua District, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located east of Lake Horowhenua, around 95 km north of Wellington and 50 km southwest of Palmerston North.

Levin

Taitoko (Māori)
Secondary urban area
Intersection of Queen and Oxford Streets
Levin
Coordinates: 40°37′19″S 175°17′12″E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
Territorial authorityHorowhenua District
WardLevin Ward
Named forWilliam Hort Levin
Area
 • Urban
109.02 km2 (42.09 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2019)[1]
 • Urban
17,700
 • Urban density160/km2 (420/sq mi)
Postcode
5510
Area code(s)06

The town has a population of 17,700 (June 2019),[1] making it the 30th largest urban area in New Zealand, and third largest in Manawatū-Whanganui behind Palmerston North and Whanganui.

Levin is a service centre for the surrounding rural area, and a centre for light manufacturing.

To the west of the main town lies Lake Horowhenua, which covers some 3.9 sq/km. It is currently undergoing regeneration.

Population

According to June 2019 figures, the estimated resident population was 17,700.[2] Over 20% of inhabitants were listed as over the age of 65, a considerably higher percentage than the national average.[3] The town celebrated its centenary in 2006 and the bowls club celebrated theirs in 2007.

History and culture

The town was named after William Hort Levin, a director of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company.[4]

The name is a variation of the Jewish clan Levi. It is a shibboleth – unlike the usual pronunciation of the surname, stress is placed on the second syllable of the word. However his great grandson, Peter Levin, claims his forebear would have pronounced his surname as in Levene and this pronunciation was in common use for many years and always used by the family.[5]

Kawiu Marae and Te Huia o Raukura meeting house, located just north of the Levin township, are a meeting place for Muaūpoko.[6][7]

In October 2019, thirty people had to evacuate a public pool after a chemical incident at the local aquatic centre.[8]

Transport

Levin lies on State Highway 1, which forms the town's main street, Oxford Street. State Highway 57 forms the eastern boundary of the town, and meets State Highway 1 between Levin and the Ohau River, Wellington.

Levin is on the North Island Main Trunk with a station used by the Capital Connection long distance commuter train between Wellington and Palmerston North.[9] It is also served by 8 InterCity buses a day each way.[10]

Buses run for shoppers to Waikanae on Tuesdays and Thursdays[11] and on Fridays to Shannon, Foxton Beach, Foxton and Waitarere Beach.[12] A commuter bus runs via Foxton to Palmerston North.[11]

Schools

There are nine schools in the Levin urban area:[13]

  • Fairfield School is a state full primary (Year 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 452.
  • Horowhenua College is a state secondary (Year 9–13) school. It opened in 1940 and has a roll of approximately 614.
  • 'Levin East School is a state contributing primary (Year 1–6) school with a roll of approximately 340.
  • Levin Intermediate is a state intermediate (Year 7–8) school with a roll of approximately 268.
  • Levin North School is a state contributing primary (Year 1–6) school with a roll of approximately 254.
  • Levin School is a state contributing primary (Year 1–6) school with a roll of approximately 155.
  • St Joseph's School is a state-integrated Catholic full primary (Year 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 144.
  • Taitoko School is a state full primary (Year 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 211.
  • Waiopehu College is a state secondary (Year 9–13) school. It opened in 1973 and has a roll of approximately 635.

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. Statistics New Zealand Subnational Population Estimates
  3. "Levin age profile, NZ Stats". Archived from the original on 2010-05-26. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  4. Levin in the 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
  5. Tuckey, Karoline. "Councillor wants to change the name of Levin, the NZ town that no-one pronounces correctly". stuff.co.nz.
  6. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  7. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  8. "30 people evacuated after chemical reaction in Levin's public pool". The New Zealand Herald. October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  9. "Capital Connection". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  10. "Search Results". www.intercity.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  11. "Did you know Horizons Regional Council provides three public bus services in the Horowhenua District?" (PDF). 15 July 2018.
  12. "Day Out in Town Bus timetable change". Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  13. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
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