Pahiatua
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pahiatua is a rural service town in the southeastern North Island of New Zealand. Pahiatua is 60 kilometres north of Masterton and 30 kilometres east of Palmerston North, and is usually regarded as being in Wairarapa, although for local government purposes it is considered part of the Tararua district (which encompasses Eketahuna, Pahiatua, Woodville and Dannevirke).
Founded to take advantage of the Wairarapa railway line, the bypass of the township by said railway meant the township had to grow in other ways. The surrounding area of dairy and sheep farming supports the small community of 2,600. The town nonetheless still retains a railway heritage, with the Pahiatua Railcar Society based at the nearby railway station. This society currently operates an NZR RM class Standard railcar and is restoring the sole remaining examples of the 88 seater and Wairarapa railcars.
Sir Keith Holyoake, Prime Minister and later Governor General of New Zealand, was born in Mangamutu, an outlying locality near Pahiatua.
1881 Pahiatua's first settler arrived, Mr John Hall, then other pioneers followed later McCardles,Hughes,Sedcoles.
In 1981 Pahiatua Celebrated its Centennial, with a weekend full of numerous activities.
In 2006 Pahiatua Celebrated its 125 year anniversary with a parade of 125 floats and Vintage transport from over the years.
[edit] Famous people from Pahiatua
- Sir Keith Holyoake (Prime Minister and later Governor-General)
- John Ryan (All Black, Rugby)
- Ron Mark (MP, NZ First Party)
- Simon Ferry (NZ TV & Film Actor)
- Kallista Field (Olympic Equestrian)
- Phillip Tataurangi (Golfer)
- Rebecca Hull (Women's Rugby)
- Tara Drysdale (NZ Black Stick, Hockey.)
[edit] Education
St Anthony's School was first established in 1906 by a group of Brigidine Sisters from Masterton. In 1957 the school roll grew and a new two roomed classroom was built and used by the junior pupils. It was fully taught by the sisters till the early 1970's when its first lay principal was appointed. The last sister to teach at the school left in 1985. In 2006 St Anthony's School celebrated its centennial with a weekend of memories and social gatherings.
