Masterton: Difference between revisions
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Local industries involve service industries for the surrounding farming community. The town is the headquarters of the annual [[Golden Shears]] [[sheep-shearing]] competition. |
Local industries involve service industries for the surrounding farming community. The town is the headquarters of the annual [[Golden Shears]] [[sheep-shearing]] competition. |
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Although Masterton and the Wairarapa valley are reasonably close to Wellington, they are separated by the Rimutaka |
Although Masterton and the Wairarapa valley are reasonably close to Wellington, they are separated by the Rimutaka with a narrow winding road and a rail tunnel. There has been conjectural talk of constructing a road tunnel through the ranges, but the latest transportation plan from the Greater Wellington Regional Council{{ref|gw.govt.nz}}, the only work planned is for upgrades to the existing Rimutaka Hill road and the addition of passing lanes between [[Featherston, New Zealand|Featherston]] and Masterton. |
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Masterton enjoys Sister City relationships with [[Hatsukaichi]] City, Japan, Changchun, China and Armidale, Australia. |
Masterton enjoys Sister City relationships with [[Hatsukaichi]] City, Japan, Changchun, China and Armidale, Australia. |
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Revision as of 13:07, 11 May 2006
Masterton is the largest town (and local government district) in the Wairarapa region in the southeastern North Island of New Zealand. It is 85 kilometres north-east of Wellington and 70 kilometres south of Palmerston North, and stands on the Ruamahanga River.
Masterton is a thriving community with a 2001 population of 22,617[1]. It therefore did not quite qualify to be a city by 1989 when the minimum population requirement for that status was lifted from 20,000 to 50,000. A commuter rail link allows many residents easy access to work in the cities of Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt.
Named after pioneer Joseph Masters, it was first settled by Europeans on 21 May 1854. It gained borough status in 1877.
Local industries involve service industries for the surrounding farming community. The town is the headquarters of the annual Golden Shears sheep-shearing competition.
Although Masterton and the Wairarapa valley are reasonably close to Wellington, they are separated by the Rimutaka Ranges with a narrow winding road and a rail tunnel. There has been conjectural talk of constructing a road tunnel through the ranges, but according to the latest transportation plan from the Greater Wellington Regional Council[2], the only work planned is for upgrades to the existing Rimutaka Hill road and the addition of passing lanes between Featherston and Masterton.
Masterton enjoys Sister City relationships with Hatsukaichi City, Japan, Changchun, China and Armidale, Australia.
References
- ^ "2001 Census of Population and Dwellings: Final Counts, Wellington Region". Retrieved September 5.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Greater Wellington Regional Council Wairarapa Corridor Plan, December 2003" (PDF). Retrieved September 5.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
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