Hunterville

For the community in the United States, see Hunterville, Missouri.
Not to be confused with Huntersville (disambiguation).

Hunterville
Monument paying tribute to Huntaway dogs at Hunterville
Monument paying tribute to Huntaway dogs at Hunterville
Map
Coordinates: 39°56′S 175°34′E / 39.933°S 175.567°E / -39.933; 175.567
CountryNew Zealand
RegionManawatū-Whanganui
DistrictRangitikei District
Wards
  • Central General Ward
  • Tiikeitia ki Uta (Inland) Māori Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityRangitikei District Council
 • Regional councilHorizons Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total3.22 km2 (1.24 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total420
 • Density130/km2 (340/sq mi)

Hunterville is a small town in the Rangitikei district of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located halfway between Taupo and Wellington on State Highway 1, and as of the 2018 census has a population of 408.[3]

The township was named for George Hunter, who was a member of the Wellington Provincial Council.[4] It straddles the state highway as well as the main trunk railway in the foothills forming the gateway to the Central Plateau.

The closest airport or airfield to Hunterville is RNZAF Base Ohakea, an important Royal New Zealand Air Force base, which is sited 33 km to the south west. 6 km north of Hunterville is Vinegar Hill.

Hunterville is well known for its statue of the huntaway, a specialised herding dog that uses its voice to drive the sheep. The town festival and market held on the first Saturday after Labour Day has a "Shepherds Shemozzle" – a race with man and dog with shepherds travelling from all over New Zealand to compete for the top prize.[5]

There are marae south of the town at Rātā, which are affiliated with Ngāti Hauiti hapū. Tāhuhu Marae (or Taahuhu Marae) and Te Ruku a Te Kawau meeting house is a meeting place for Ngāti Haukaha. Rātā or Te Hou Hou or Potaka Marae and Hauiti meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Ruaanga and Ngāti Tamateraka.[6][7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Census 2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Discover New Zealand - A Wises Guide (9 ed.). Wises Publications Limited. 1994. p. 230.
  5. ^ "Hunterville's 'Shepherds' Shemozzle'". Radio.co.nz. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  7. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.