Ashhurst
Ashhurst
Otangaki (Māori) | |
|---|---|
Ashhurst seen from Te Apiti Lookout | |
Interactive map of Ashhurst | |
| Coordinates: 40°18′S 175°45′E / 40.300°S 175.750°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū–Whanganui region |
| Territorial authority | Palmerston North City |
| Ward |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Palmerston North City Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Palmerston North | Grant Smith[1] |
| • Rangitīkei MP | Suze Redmayne[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.21 km2 (1.63 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
• Total | 3,350 |
| • Density | 796/km2 (2,060/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 4810 |
Ashhurst (Māori: Raukawa - Raukawa is an aromatic plant used to make scent)[6] is a town and outlying suburb of Palmerston North, in the Manawatū–Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.
Location
Ashhurst is sited 14 kilometres northeast of the Palmerston North city centre. The town stands under the Ruahine Range, beneath Wharite Peak,[7] which is the most notable peak on the south end of the Ruahine Range, upon which is the television and radio transmitter.
Demographics
Ashhurst covers 4.21 km2 (1.63 sq mi)[4] and had an estimated population of 3,350 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 796 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,433 | — |
| 2013 | 2,649 | +1.22% |
| 2018 | 2,934 | +2.06% |
| 2023 | 3,237 | +1.99% |
| Source: [8][9] | ||
Ashhurst had a population of 3,237 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 303 people (10.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 588 people (22.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,608 males, 1,614 females, and 12 people of other genders in 1,131 dwellings.[10] 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 36.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 771 people (23.8%) aged under 15 years, 537 (16.6%) aged 15 to 29, 1,488 (46.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 444 (13.7%) aged 65 or older.[8]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 86.7% European (Pākehā); 21.3% Māori; 4.2% Pasifika; 4.4% Asian; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.3%, Māori by 4.1%, Samoan by 0.7%, and other languages by 6.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.0%. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[8]
Religious affiliations were 29.9% Christian, 0.6% Hindu, 0.6% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.4%, and 8.4% of people did not answer the census question.[8]
Of those at least 15 years old, 477 (19.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,464 (59.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 528 (21.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $45,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 201 people (8.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,368 (55.5%) full-time, 330 (13.4%) part-time, and 48 (1.9%) unemployed.[8]
Transport
Ashhurst's importance stems from its location at the western end of the Manawatū 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.
There are four buses on weekdays and one on Saturdays linking Palmerston North with Ashhurst.[11]
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[12][13][14]
- 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 the native aromatic plant Pseudopanax edgerleyi, whereas for the town it is Otangaki.[15]
Local and central government representation
Former Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward
Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward was Palmerston North's largest ward covering the area from James Line to part way through the Manawatū Gorge, to just north of Ashhurst township. Wards were abolished in Palmerston North in 2013.
Central government
- Rangitīkei is represented by MP Suze Redmayne[16] for New Zealand National Party .
- Te Tai Hauāuru is represented by Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[17] for Te Pāti Māori.
Education
Ashhurst School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[18] with a roll of 460 as of October 2025.[19][20] It opened in 1879.[21]
Notable people
- Andre Taylor, rugby player
- Mark McGrath, darts player
References
- ^ "2025 local elections results". Palmerston North City Council. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Rangitīkei - Official Result". electionresults. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 26 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Ashhurst". gazetteer.linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Harriss, Gavin (August 2022). Ashhurst, Manawatu-Wanganui (Map). NZ Topo Map.
- ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Ashhurst (1365). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Ashhurst (232200). 2018 Census place summary: Ashhurst
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Ashhurst Trial" (PDF). Horizons Regional Council. 3 April 2017.
- ^ Ashhurst: Durham Street Reserve – McCraes Bush "Palmerston North - Ashhurst: Durham Street Reserve - McCraes Bush". Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- ^ "ashhurst dot org :: Parks". Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "McCrae's Bush – Wikimapia". Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.
- ^ "Rangitīkei - Official Result". electionresults. Electoral Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ "Ashhurst School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Ashhurst School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ "About Ashhurst School". ashhurst.school.nz.