Ashhurst is a small town in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is sited 14 kilometres northeast, and is a suburb of, the city of Palmerston North.
It has a population of 2,526 (2001 census).
Ashhurst's importance stems from its ___location, at the western end of the Manawatu Gorge. As such, it is close to the easiest road and rail link between the east and west coasts of the southern North Island.
The main streets which pass through Ashhurst are:
- State Highway 3
- Cambridge Avenue
- Oxford Street
- Saddle Road
- Mulgrave Street
- Salisbury Street
History
Ashhurst was named for Lord Ashhurst, who owned land in the immediate area. The Māori name for the area is Raukawa, after a native aromatic plant (Pseudopanax edgerleyi).
Local and Central Government representation
- Ashhurst is a part of the Ashhurst Ward in the Palmerston North City Council. It shares this with other suburbs
- Prior to 1996, Ashhurst was part of the Manawatu electorate. However, due to the reformation of the electoral system from FPP to MMP, the electorate of Rangitikei's boundaries were redrawn to include Ashhurst.
- Rangitikei (as at 2006) is represented by New Zealand National MP Simon Power.
References
- Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.
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