Ashhurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashhurst
Whārite (Māori)
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Ashhurst seen from Te Apiti Lookout
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui region |
| Territorial authority | Palmerston North City |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 4.21 km2 (1.63 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 3,350 |
| • Density | 795.7/km2 (2,061/sq mi) |
| Postcode |
4810
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Ashhurst (also known as Māori: Whārite) is a small town in New Zealand. It's like a suburb of Palmerston North, located in the Manawatū-Whanganui region on the North Island.
Contents
Where is Ashhurst?
Ashhurst is about 14 kilometers (about 8.7 miles) northeast of Palmerston North city. The town sits at the base of the Ruahine Ranges. You can see Wharite Peak nearby, which is a tall point on the southern end of the Ruahine Range. There's a television and radio transmitter on top of Wharite Peak.
People in Ashhurst
Ashhurst covers an area of about 4.21 square kilometers (about 1.6 square miles). In 2018, around 2,934 people lived there. This means about 697 people lived in each square kilometer.
The number of people living in Ashhurst has been growing!
- In 2006, there were 2,433 people.
- In 2013, it grew to 2,649 people.
- By 2018, the population reached 2,934 people. This was a 10.8% increase since 2013.
There were 1,074 homes in Ashhurst in 2018. For every 100 females, there were about 95 males. The average age of people in Ashhurst was 35.9 years. About 24.7% of the people were under 15 years old.
Most people in Ashhurst (89.0%) are of European/Pākehā background. About 18.6% are Māori, and smaller numbers are from Pacific, Asian, or other backgrounds. Some people identify with more than one ethnicity.
About 12.9% of people in Ashhurst were born outside New Zealand. Many people (56.3%) said they had no religion. Most of the rest were Christian.
For adults aged 15 and over, about 17.4% had a university degree or higher. The average income was about $34,300. Most adults (53.4%) worked full-time.
Getting Around
Ashhurst is important because it's at the western end of the Manawatū Gorge. This gorge used to be the easiest way for roads and trains to connect the east and west coasts of the lower North Island.
However, the Manawatū Gorge road has been closed since 2017. Now, if you want to travel from Ashhurst to the east coast, you have to use Saddle Road.
There are also bus services connecting Ashhurst with Palmerston North. Buses run four times on weekdays and once on Saturdays.
Fun Places and Parks
Ashhurst has some great places to relax and play:
- Ashhurst Domain: This is a big park with many uses. It has a camping ground where you can stay, a lookout point to see the wind farm, a cemetery, and a special area for dogs.
- Durham Street Reserve and McCraes Bush Reserve: These are other local reserves.
- Lincoln Park: This park is the home ground for the local rugby team, Ashhurst-Pohangina RFC.
History of Ashhurst
Ashhurst was named after Lord Henry Ashhurst, who owned land in the area a long time ago. The Māori name for the wider area is Raukawa. This name comes from a native plant called Pseudopanax edgerleyi, which has a nice smell. The Māori name for the town itself is Otangaki.
Schools in Ashhurst
Ashhurst School is a primary school for students from Year 1 to Year 8. It's a co-educational school, meaning both boys and girls attend. As of 2023, about 454 students were enrolled there.
Famous People from Ashhurst
- Andre Taylor: A well-known rugby player.
- Mark McGrath: A professional darts player.
