Rongotea

Rongotea
village
Rongotea
Coordinates: NZ 40°18′0″S 175°25′0″E / 40.30000°S 175.41667°ECoordinates: NZ 40°18′0″S 175°25′0″E / 40.30000°S 175.41667°E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Manawatu-Wanganui Region
Territorial authority	Manawatu District
Named for	"Peaceful place", or a local chief

Rongotea is a small rural township in the Manawatu District of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region. Located on the western Manawatu Plains, approximately 19 km (12 mi) northwest of the region's main city, Palmerston North.

Features

Like most of the small settlements around the Manawatu, Rongotea is surrounded by dairy farms and the township serves as the service centre.

Among the facilities are local businesses, retailers and a few eateries.

The township is served by Rongotea School which serves students years 1-8. There are no secondary schools in Rongotea, so secondary students travel to Palmerston North by bus to get to school. Glen Oroua school is also nearby.

Unusual for a township of its size, Rongotea has five churches.

Te Kawau Memorial Recreational Centre is here and is home to the famous Te Kawau Rugby Union Club.

Population

The population in 2006 was 591.^[1][2]

History

In the late 1860s, the Government put the Carnarvon Block up for sale, along with the neighbouring Sandon Block.^[3] Two businessmen from Otago, the Hon Robert Campbell and John Douglas, bought the 21,400 acre “Oroua Downs Estate” in the Carnarvon Block.

The land, having been declared a special settlement area was by contract compelled to settlement of at least 70 families. The result was Campbelltown, based on a central square (named Douglas).^[4] Later, due to many other settlements in New Zealand called Campbelltown, the township's name was changed to Rongotea. The Manawatu County Council chose this name as it meant "Peaceful place", although local tangata whenua Ngāti Rangitāne claim the name recalls a local respected chief.

Rongotea was the centre of a religious revival in the late 1890s and many churches were built.

Entertainment

Every year Rongotea holds their own community Fireworks display. Over the years this show has become so popular people from Palmerston North and other townships close by come out to enjoy the show. Dates can vary but will happen no earlier than October but no later than December 25

There is also a parade named the 'Santa Parade'. Hence the name every year in December (dates can vary) a parade is run by the community, close to Christmas Day.

References

1. "4. Ōhakea to Longburn - Manawatū and Horowhenua places - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 1987-05-01. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
2. Quickstats about Rongotea
3. "4. Ōhakea to Longburn - Manawatū and Horowhenua places - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 1987-05-01. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
4. "Our Region — Rongotea". Ourregion.co.nz. Retrieved 2012-10-29.