Ashhurst

Ashhurst
Ashhurst
Coordinates: NZ 40°18′S 175°45′E / 40.300°S 175.750°E / -40.300; 175.750Coordinates: NZ 40°18′S 175°45′E / 40.300°S 175.750°E / -40.300; 175.750
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatu-Wanganui Region
Territorial authority	Palmerston North City
Population (2006 census)[1]
• Total	2,526
Postcode	4810

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

Location, features

Ashhurst is sited 14 kilometres northeast of the city of Palmerston North and is a town that is part rural and part urban (a satellite community of Palmerston North).

There is a main street (Cambridge Avenue) which once one leaves Ashhurst, turns into Pohangina Road, which leads to the Pohangina Valley.

It also features two Four Square supermarkets, along with two "fish and chip shops" and Tip Top Dairy, all located on Cambridge Avenue. The Four Square supermarkets are across the road from one another, one serving as the local Lotto outlet and video rental store and the other as a NZ POST agent. Both provide Fresh vegetables and groceries.

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. Also at the Ashhurst Domain (cnr of Cambridge Ave and Napier Road (SH3), one can view the Ruahine Ranges, the Tararua Ranges and the wind farm.

Transport

Ashhurst's importance stems from its location at the western end of the Manawatu Gorge. As such, it is close to the easiest road and rail link between the east and west coasts of the southern North Island.

Ashhurst is the location of Palmerston North's second bridge crossing over the Manawatu. There is an occasional bus which links Palmerston North with Ashhurst.

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^[2][3][4]
• 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.

Notable Figures

Andre Taylor came from Ashhurst and went to the local school. He made his Hurricanes debut season in 2010 and was also named in the New Zealand Maori squad on their centenary anniversary.

Local and Central Government representation

Formerly 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 has become 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 when 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 spectacular 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.

Central Government

General

• Rangitikei (as at 2011 General Election) is represented by New Zealand National MP Ian McKelvie.

Māori

• People on the Māori roll in Ashhurst are currently represented by Māori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia, MP for Te Tai Hauāuru.

References

• Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4. 

External links

• http://www.ashhurstnz.com/