Foxton, New Zealand

Foxton is a town in the Manawatu -Wanganui region of New Zealand. At the 2006 census, the town had 2,715 inhabitants themselves, other sources consider the 1731 inhabitants in the coastal town of Foxton Beach.

The place is located in the southwest of the North Island of New Zealand in the Horowhenua district, 30 km southwest of Palmerston North and 15 kilometers north of Levin. It is located about 6 km from the coast and 5 north of the Manawatu River. The small coastal settlement of Foxton Beach is located about 6 km to the west of the river mouth.

History

Foxton was named after Sir William Fox and has a history in the processing of New Zealand flax, from the ropes, baskets and other things were made. Other economic activities associated with the place were the manufacture of clothing and sawmills.

Foxton is the oldest European settlement in southern Manawatu. However, the first settlement was in 1842 to the east, closer to the present site Shannon. 1885, the settlement was moved to its present location. In the early years of European settlement it was an important trading post and harbor. Only with the construction of a railway line between Palmerston North and Wellington, it was overtaken in importance for Manawatu Palmerston North.

Transportation

The central government had originally intended that Foxton should be on the main railway line from Wellington via Palmerston North to Auckland. An existing rail between Foxton and Palmerston North was expanded in the 1870s as Foxton Branch to branch line. As the government delayed the extension of the line to the south, a group of Wellington businessmen built the Wellington and Manawatu Railway ( WMR ) on a shorter connection line, but Foxton not included. As this route went into operation in 1886, Foxtons waned role as a port. The situation worsened in 1908 more than the WMR has been integrated into the national rail network. 1941 was one of the harbor, a year later headed the Ministry of Works by the construction of Whirokino Cut a large part of the water of the Manawatu River at Foxton over. The peri-urban part of the remaining Altarmes silted during a flood in 1953. The railway line was closed in 1959.

State Highway 1 passes through Foxton.

Attractions

2003, a copy of a Dutch windmill dating from the 17th century " de Molen " was built. The functional mill produces flour that is sold in a souvenir shop, the mechanics inside can be visited.

Education

Foxton has four primary schools: Coley Street School (266 students in 2010 ), Oroua Downs School ( 89 students), Foxton School ( 75), and St Mary's School ( 41). Another, the Foxton Beach School with 100 students, is located in the seaside village of Foxton Beach. The Manawatu College is the only institution of higher education, this was 2010 401 students and a decile rating of 2