Masterton

For other uses, seeMasterton (disambiguation).

Masterton Whakaoriori (Māori)
Territorial authority district
Location of Masterton District in North Island
Coordinates:40°58′S175°39′E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Greater Wellington
District	Masterton District
Town founded	1854
NZ Parliament	Ikaroa-Rāwhiti(Māori) Wairarapa
Government
•Mayor	Gary Caffell
• Deputy Mayor	Bex Johnson
• MPs	Mike Butterick(National) Cushla Tangaere-Manuel(Labour)
•Territorial authority	Masterton District Council
Area
• Territorial	2,300.17 km2(888.10 sq mi)
• Urban	22.45 km2(8.67 sq mi)
Elevation	69 m (420 ft)
Population (June 2023)
• Territorial	29,100
• Density	13/km2(33/sq mi)
•Urban	22,600
• Urban density	1,000/km2(2,600/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+12(NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13(NZDT)
Postcode	5810
Area code	06
Website	www.mstn.govt.nz

Masterton(Māori:Whakaoriori)is a large town in theGreater Wellington RegionofNew Zealandthat operates as the seat of theMasterton District(a territorial authority or local-government district). It is the largest town in theWairarapa,a region separated fromWellingtonby theRemutakaranges. It stands on theWaipoua streambetween theRuamāhungaandWaingawa Rivers– 100 kilometres north-east of Wellington and 39.4 kilometres south ofEketāhuna.

Masterton has an urban population of 22,600, and a district population of 29,100 (June 2023).

Mastertonbusinessesincludes services for surroundingfarmers.Three new industrial parks are being developedin Waingawa, Solway and Upper Plain. The town functions as the headquarters of the annualGolden Shearssheep-shearingcompetition.

Suburbs

Masterton suburbs include:

• Lansdowne,Te Ore Ore on the northern side
• Eastsideand Homebush on the eastern side
• Upper Plain,Fernridge,Ngaumutawa,Ākura andMasterton Weston the western side
• KuripuniandSolwayon the southern side

History and culture

Early history

Masterton was founded in 1854 by the Small Farms Association. The association was led byJoseph Masters– after whom the town was named – and aimed to settle working people in villages and on the land. At first Masterton grew slowly, but as its farming hinterland became more productive it began to prosper.

In the 1870s, it overtook Greytown as Wairarapa's major town. It became a borough in 1877 and was reached by the railway line from Wellington in 1880. The railway became for a time the main line from Wellington to the north of New Zealand, and its arrival cemented the town's position as the Wairarapa region's main market and distribution centre.

Waipoua timber mill was producingbutter boxesas early as 1884.

In April 1965, one of the country's worst industrial accidents occurred at the General Plastics Factory on 170 Dixon Street.

DuringWorld War IItwo battalions of theUnited States Marine Corpswere stationed in Masterton.

• 
  The railway station opened 1880, demolished 1967
• 
  Railway station, 15 January 1954
• 
  Queen Street in the early 1900s
• 
  The Post Office opened 1900, demolished 1960
• 
  4 killed in the General Plastics Explosion and Fire 1965

Modern history

In essence, providing support services for rural industry – living off the sheep's back – Masterton's real growth ended with that sector's retrenchment after the 1974 British entry to the trade and political grouping now theEuropean Union.Efforts to decentralise industry to New Zealand's provinces gave Masterton a print works and some other industries, but the lost economic activity was not restored.

From the 1970s, people and businesses left for opportunities elsewhere. In the 1980s, with government deregulation and protective tariffs lifted, more businesses closed, and the town declined further.

It did not quite qualify to be a city by 1989 when the minimum population requirement for that status was lifted from 20,000 to 50,000.

Marae

Te Oreoremaraeand Ngā Tau e Waru meeting house, located in Masterton, is affiliated with theiwiofNgāti Kahungunuand itshapūofKahukuraawhitia,Kahukuranui,Ngāti Te Hina,Tahu o Kahungunu,TamahauandWhiunga,and with the iwi ofRangitāne,and its hapū ofHinetearorangi,Ngāi Tamahau,Ngāti Hāmua,Ngāti Taimahu,Ngāti Tangatakau,Ngāti Te Noti,Ngāti Te RaeteaandNgāti Te Whātui.

In October 2020, the Government committed $2,179,654 from theProvincial Growth Fundto upgradeNgāi Tumapuhia a Rangi ki Okautete,Motuwairaka,Pāpāwai,Kohunui,Hurunui o Rangiand Te Oreore marae. The projects were expected to create 19.8 full time jobs.

Another local marae, Ākura Marae, is affiliated with theNgāti Kahungunuhapū ofNgāti Te AhuahuandNgāti Te Hina.and with theRangitānehapū ofNgāti MātangiuruandNgāti Te Hina.

Demographics

House for his family by architectCharles Natuschbuilders C E Daniell

Masterton District covers 2,300.17 km²(888.10 sq mi)and had an estimated population of 29,100 as of June 2023,with a population density of 13 people per km².The Masterton urban area covers 22.45 km²(8.67 sq mi)and had an estimated population of 22,600 as of June 2023,with a population density of 1,007 people per km².

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1891	3,114	—
1896	3,493	+2.32%
1901	3,949	+2.48%
1906	3,723	−1.17%
1911	5,182	+6.84%
1916	5,560	+1.42%
1921	7,820	+7.06%
1926	8,575	+1.86%
1936	8,950	+0.43%
1945	9,480	+0.64%
1951	11,545	+3.34%
1956	13,000	+2.40%
1961	16,944	+5.44%
1966	19,116	+2.44%
1971	20,194	+1.10%
1976	19,460	−0.74%
1981	18,545	−0.96%
1986	20,145	+1.67%
1991	22,566	+2.30%
1996	22,755	+0.17%
2001	22,614	−0.12%
2006	22,623	+0.01%
2013	23,352	+0.45%
2018	25,557	+1.82%
2023	27,678	+1.61%
Source:

Ethnicities, 2023 Census

Ethnicity	Population
New Zealand European	23,163
Māori	6,267
Pasifika	1,260
Asian	1,413
MELAA	126
Other	342

Masterton District had a population of 27,678 in the2023 New Zealand census,an increase of 2,121 people (8.3%) since the2018 census,and an increase of 4,326 people (18.5%) since the2013 census.There were 12,516 dwellings. The median age was 42.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 5,127 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 4,635 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 11,637 (42.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 6,279 (22.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 83.7% European/Pākehā,22.6%Māori,4.6%Pasifika,5.1%Asian,0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders, and 1.2% other. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Masterton District had a population of 25,557 at the2018 New Zealand census.There were 9,936 households, comprising 12,372 males and 13,185 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female.

The percentage of people born overseas was 12.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.2% had no religion, 37.7% wereChristian,1.2% hadMāori religious beliefs,0.7% wereHindu,0.1% wereMuslim,0.4% wereBuddhistand 1.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 3,030 (14.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 4,803 (23.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 2,403 people (11.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 9,420 (45.8%) people were employed full-time, 3,270 (15.9%) were part-time, and 705 (3.4%) were unemployed.

Individual statistical areas in Masterton district (2018 census)

SA2 name	Population	Dwellings	Median age	Median income
Cameron and Soldiers Park	2,160	963	43.3 years	$24,200
Douglas Park	2,016	873	44.7 years	$26,000
Kuripuni	1,653	687	45.7 years	$26,200
Lansdowne East	2,715	1,158	47.2 years	$27,200
Lansdowne West	1,596	696	44.5 years	$28,200
Masterton Central	711	297	40.7 years	$23,700
McJorrow Park	1,677	588	30.0 years	$20,300
Ngaumutawa	1,491	684	46.6 years	$27,200
Solway North	2,346	963	40.0 years	$26,700
Solway South	3,459	1,401	37.9 years	$27,600
Homebush-Te Ore Ore	1,050	432	49.0 years	$36,500
Kopuaranga	915	405	45.3 years	$35,400
Opaki	1,140	459	49.4 years	$42,000
Upper Plain	1,224	480	46.9 years	$35,600
Whareama	1,410	1,296	43.6 years	$34,000

Climate

Masterton enjoys a mildtemperate climate(Köppen: Cfb), grading towards aMediterranean climate(Köppen: Csb). Due to the geography of the Wairarapa valley and theTararua Rangedirectly to the west, the town's temperature fluctuates more than the nearby inland city ofPalmerston North.Masterton experiences warmer, dry summers with highs above 30 °C possible and colder winters with frequent frost and lows below 0 °C.

Climate data for Masterton (1991–2020)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	25.3 (77.5)	25.1 (77.2)	22.6 (72.7)	19.3 (66.7)	16.3 (61.3)	12.9 (55.2)	12.9 (55.2)	14.1 (57.4)	16.0 (60.8)	18.3 (64.9)	20.4 (68.7)	22.7 (72.9)	18.8 (65.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)	18.7 (65.7)	18.5 (65.3)	16.5 (61.7)	13.5 (56.3)	11.1 (52.0)	8.5 (47.3)	8.0 (46.4)	9.1 (48.4)	10.9 (51.6)	12.7 (54.9)	14.5 (58.1)	16.9 (62.4)	13.2 (55.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	12.1 (53.8)	11.8 (53.2)	10.3 (50.5)	7.7 (45.9)	5.8 (42.4)	4.1 (39.4)	3.1 (37.6)	4.1 (39.4)	5.8 (42.4)	7.1 (44.8)	8.6 (47.5)	11.0 (51.8)	7.6 (45.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	52.4 (2.06)	48.5 (1.91)	69.9 (2.75)	71.5 (2.81)	72.9 (2.87)	91.0 (3.58)	113.6 (4.47)	81.7 (3.22)	73.2 (2.88)	82.0 (3.23)	71.9 (2.83)	60.6 (2.39)	889.2 (35)
Average rainy days(≥ 1.0 mm)	5.2	4.7	6.2	8.5	10.3	9.9	10.6	11.8	10.7	9.2	8.5	6.9	102.5
Averagerelative humidity(%)	76.0	82.9	84.2	87.0	89.5	91.3	91.1	89.6	83.5	79.0	78.8	76.9	84.2
Mean monthlysunshine hours	232.2	197.0	180.0	159.7	139.5	106.1	115.3	156.0	165.8	204.3	200.9	220.1	2,076.9
Source: NIWA Climate Data (humidity 1981–2010)

Government

See also:Mayor of Masterton

Golden Shears sign

Between 1877 and 1989, Masterton Borough Council administered the area. An early mayor was the storekeeperMyer Caselberg(1886–1888).

The Masterton District Council (MDC) is the Masterton District territorial authority. It is made up of an elected mayor, a deputy mayor/councillor, and seven additional councillors. They are elected under theFirst Past the Postsystem in triennial elections, with the last election being held on Saturday 15 October 2022.

The current council members are:Gary Caffell (M), general ward; Bex Johnson (DM), Tom Hullena, Tim Nelson, Craig Bowyer, at large; David Holmes, Stella Lennox, Brent Goodwin, Māori ward; Marama Tuuta.

Nationally, Masterton is part of theWairarapageneral electorate and theIkaroa-RāwhitiMāori electorate.

Politics 2013 to 2016

Applications for local government reorganisation from the Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Wairarapa district councils in mid-2013 led to a proposal from the Local Government Commission for a region-wide unitary authority. In June 2015, the Commission decided not to proceed with this proposal due to lack of public support. Instead, because about 40 per cent of submissions suggested alternatives to the status quo, the Commission decided to work with councils and the community to achieve some consensus on the challenges it faced, and to collaborate in identifying possible options to address the challenges.

Education

See also:List of schools in the Wellington Region § Masterton District

Masterton's schools were reviewed in 2003 to take into account a changing demographic of the population, with several primary schools closing and merging. Today, there are five state primary schools in the township – four state contributing primaries: Douglas Park, Fernridge, Masterton Primary and Solway; and one state full primary: Lakeview. In addition, there are five state full primary schools in the surrounding district: Mauriceville, Opaki, Tinui, Wainuiouru and Whareama, and two state-integrated primaries: St Patrick's, a Catholic contributing primary, andHadlow,an Anglican full primary.

Masterton Intermediate School, with over 500 students, is the only intermediate school in Masterton (and the Wairarapa), bridging the gap between the state contributing primary schools and the secondary schools.

Two state secondary schools serve Masterton:Wairarapa Collegeis the largest of the two with 1050 students, serving the western side of the town, whileMakoura Collegewith 320 students serves the eastern side of town. Four state-integrated schools also serve the town:Chanel Collegeis a coeducational Catholic school with its own intermediate department;Rathkeale CollegeandSt Matthew's Collegiateare Anglican boys and girls schools respectively, with St Matthew's having an intermediate department; andSolway Collegeis a Presbyterian girls school with intermediate. There is also a composite (primary/secondary combined) Māori immersion school in the town: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa.

Masterton has its own polytechnic, run by UCOL (Universal College of Learning).

The Masterton District Library and Archive, situated on Queen Street, are part of the Lower North Island SMART Libraries group, which involves sharing books and information between 22 libraries.

Media

Newspapers

Times-Ageoffices and printing works

There are several newspapers circulated in Masterton, including two daily publications (Wairarapa Times-Age,The Dominion-Post) and a free community title, Wairarapa Midweek. The Wairarapa Times-Age is the only daily newspaper based in Masterton. Formed by a merger between the Wairarapa Age and the Wairarapa Daily Times on 1 April 1938, The Wairarapa Times-Age has an audited paid circulation of 5,427.The Wairarapa Times-Age is owned by Andrew Denholm of National Media Limited. NZME Publishing Limited sold the business, which includes the Wairarapa Midweek and TA Property papers in June 2016.Andrew Denholm was the previous general manager. Seamus Boyer is a current editor. The Wairarapa Midweek, a weeklycommunity paperwith an audited circulation of 21,186,is distributed every Wednesday along with the TA Property. The Wairarapa Times Age building at 70 Chapel Street no longer holds the presses, and the space was used by the nascent MastertonFab labwhich has now relocated to UCOL.

Fairfax NZ owned The Dominion Post is widely circulated in the Masterton district. The Wellington-based metropolitan daily newspaper has an office, Media House, at 123 Chapel Street in Masterton. The Dominion-Post has an audited paid circulation of 55,496.

Radio

Masterton is serviced by one local radio station. Wairarapa's MORE FM 89.5 or 105.9 for the coastal frequency. MORE FM broadcasts locally from 6am to 10am daily from studios inKuripuni.The station was founded by controversial Broadcaster Paul Henry, as TODAY FM 89.3 in Carterton, in 1991. Later the station was rebranded as Hitz 89FM, Wairarapa's Best Music. The MORE FM Breakfast Show has been hosted by well-known local broadcaster, Brent Gare, since 2004. The Saturday sports show at 8am has been hosted by local sports-caster Chris "Coggie" Cogdale since 1992.

Television

Television coverage reached Masterton in 1963, after the Otahoua transmitter east of the town was commissioned to relay Wellington's WNTV1 channel (now part ofTVNZ 1). The town was early receiving television, since the Otahoua transmitter was required to repeat the signal from the Mount Victoria (and laterMount Kaukau) transmitter in Wellington to theWharite Peaktransmitter near Palmerston North (also commissioned in 1963).Digital terrestrial television (Freeview HD) was introduced to the Masterton area in July 2011, in preparedness for the area's digital switchover in September 2013. The service broadcasts from the Popoiti transmitter, south of the township.

Utilities

Water and drainage

Water supply

Masterton's water is piped from theWaingawathrough a Masterton District Council treatment plant on the river, about 10 kilometres west of the town. The water is clarified and filtered, then chlorinated and fluoridated. Lime is added to neutralise the pH to protect the pipes. There is a fluoride-free drinking water tap in Manuka Reserve in Manuka Street.

Typhoid epidemics broke out each year in Mastertonand in 1896 Parliament approved a Borough Council loan to build a drainage and water supply system. Work on the water supply did not begin until 1899 delayed by disagreements over the appropriate sources for water.It was finished at the end of 1900 when at the formal opening ceremony there was enough pressure to send a jet right over the Post Office tower to the accompaniment of the Masterton Municipal Brass Band. The mayor, Mr Pownall, said he was now ready to pour cold water on the scheme's opponents.A covered reservoir and treatment plant at Fernridge was supplied by an intake from springs beside the Waingawa four miles further up river. The main was duplicated in 1915. It was replaced by the current system, completed in 1983.

Wastewater

A sewage system was completed in 1901. It drained through settlement ponds and filter beds to theRuamahanga Riversouth of the town.The sewage farm's system included a newfangled "septic tank"which was subject to failures.

In 2012, after a period of heavy rain, eels were found in a Masterton street.In 2013, when the existing treatment pond at theHomebushwastewater treatment plant was being replaced with a new pond, the council had to relocate an estimated 85,000 eels that were living in the old pond.Around half of the eels (about 20 tonnes), were rescued by theiwiNgati Kahungunufor relocation into other Wairarapa lakes and streams.

In March 2022, following periods of heavy rain, high levels of groundwater infiltration into the sewage network led to the emergency discharge of treated sewage into the Ruamahanga River from the Homebush wastewater treatment plant for a period of one week.In April 2023, the council was strongly criticised for continuing incidents of overflow of raw sewage into properties in Cockburn Street during periods of heavy rain, a recurring problem that dates from 2006.

Energy

The Wairarapa Electric Power Board wasestablished in Cartertonin 1920to supply the Wairarapa with electricity from theKourarauhydropower station at Gladstone, southeast of both towns. Masterton was connected toMangahaoon 17 May 1925 when the transmission line fromBunnythorpeto Masterton (via Woodville and Mangamaire) and the Masterton substation were commissioned.The Wairarapa Electric Power Board moved to headquarters in Masterton in the 1950s. The power board, then named Wairarapa Electricity, dissolved following the 1998 electricity sector reforms. The retail business was sold toGenesis Energyand the distribution lines business sold toPowerco.Today Powerco continues to operate the local distribution network in the town and surrounding district with electricity fed fromTranspower's national grid at its Masterton substation in Waingawa.

Masterton Gas Company was established by the Borough Council in 1886by the corner of Bannister and Kirton Streets. About 20 years later it was moved to the end of Bentley Street, just south of the railway station. The large quantities of coal were brought in by rail. By 1945 it had become clear consumers preferred electricityand the gasworks closed in the 1950s.

There is nonatural gasnetwork in Masterton, making it the largest North Island urban area without one. There has been no more than a proposal to connect Masterton to the North Island natural gas network via a branch off the Palmerston North to Hastings high-pressure pipeline, commissioned in 1983.

Telephone

The Mastertonmagneto telephone exchangeopened on 31 January 1897, with 53 subscribers. On 31 May 1919, Masterton became the first town in New Zealand to have a fully automatic (Western Electric 7ARotary) telephone exchange.

Masterton and nearbyCartertonwere the first towns in New Zealand to introduce theemergency number 111,in September 1958.

Before the 1991 to 1993 changes, the area code for Masterton was 059. Today the area code is 06, and numbers generally begin with 370, 372 (rural areas), 377, 378 and 946. Numbers beginning 946 are businesses.

Internet

On 3 December 2015 theUFBrollout to the town was completed.

Transport

Masterton is very well served by public transport, with rail and bus links. Despite Masterton and the Wairarapa valley being reasonably close toWellington,they are separated by theRimutaka RangeswithState Highway 2cutting a winding hill road through the range, and theRimutaka railway tunnel.TheWairarapa Linerailwayallows access toWellington,Lower HuttandUpper Hutt.

Unlike other parts of the country, the Wairarapa has seen passenger rail services remain, largely due to its proximity to Wellington and the Rimutaka Tunnel's advantage over the Rimutaka Hill road. There has been talk of constructing a road tunnel through the ranges for decades, but this has been ruled out due to the extremely high cost.According to the latest transportation plan from the Greater Wellington Regional Council,the only work planned is for upgrades to the Rimutaka Hill road and the addition of passing lanes betweenFeatherstonand Masterton.

Rail

Masterton is linked to Wellington and the Hutt Valley by theWairarapa Connection,aTranz Metropassenger service run for Greater Wellington Region'sMetlink,primarily operating at peak times serving commuters from Masterton and the Wairarapa with five return services on Monday to Thursday, six on Friday and two at weekends and public holidays. There are three railway stations in the town;Masterton,Renall StreetandSolway.Four stations north of Masterton used to operate atOpaki,Kopuranga,MauricevilleandMangamahoe.Services to these stations ceased between 1969 and 1988. To cope with an increase in logging in the Wairarapa, an additional 2.5 hectare rail freight hub has been operational in Norfolk Road, Waingawa since March 2016.

Bus

Four Yak-52sWings over Wairarapaairshow 2007

There is a localMetlinkbus service in Masterton operated by Tranzit. The buses operate on five routes: three suburban and two regional, including:

Metlink Bus Services	Termini
Route 200 Masterton/Featherston	Wairarapa Hospital Featherston Station
Route 201 Masterton West	Masterton – Church Street Worksop Road (Woolworths)
Route 202 Masterton South & East	Masterton – Church Street Masterton – Church Street
Route 203 Masterton – Lansdowne Circuit	Masterton – Church Street Worksop Road (Woolworths)
Route 205 Featherston/Martinborough	Featherston Station Martinborough

There is also the MPN: Masterton to Palmerston North (via Woodville) service, not operated under the Metlink brand.

Air

Hood Aerodromeis 2 miles southwest of the town of Masterton. As of 2015, there are no commercial flights from Hood Aerodrome. From early 2009 until late 2013, Air New Zealand provided flights to Auckland, operated by subsidiaryEagle Airwayssix days a week, mainly to serve business customers in the Wairarapa.There have been a few other unsuccessful attempts at commercial air travel in Masterton, mostly failing due to its proximity to major airports inWellingtonandPalmerston North.The most significant was bySouth Pacific Airlines of New Zealand(SPANZ), which operated daily flights usingDC3sduring the sixties to destinations nationwide until the airline's closure in 1966.

A quiet corner of the park

Queen Elizabeth Park

Main article:Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton

Queen Elizabeth Park covers more than 20 hectares (50 acres) near the heart of Masterton on land set aside for the purpose in 1854. Its most notable aspects are the Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) trees planted in 1875, its other mature trees, and sheltered oval cricket ground. Queen Elizabeth came to Masterton Park in 1954 to be noisily welcomed by the mayor and the citizens and every schoolchild of the Wairarapa. After that, she rested at the Empire hotel, waved to the crowd from the balcony and graciously gave her own name for the park.

Miniature railway

Queen Elizabeth Park Railway

The park contains aminiature railway,built by theJayceesand opened in 1972byNorman Kirk.It has a single station, Waipoua, and is upkept by a group of volunteers. A ride on the train costs $1, a fare that has been unchanged since 1984.The line has a steam locomotive, restored in 2021,which formerly operated atGisborneand atCaroline Bay,Timaru,where a steam locomotive was operating in 1942.The locomotive's origin is unknown,though it is similar to manyAtlanticsteam engines built byBassett-Lowkefrom 1911.

Museum

Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History opened in Masterton in 1969. A sculpture byBarbara Hepworthwas the first item in the museum's collection. It now contains almost 4,000 items.

Sports

In rugby union,Heartland ChampionshipteamWairarapa Bushis based in Masterton, playing their home games atMemorial Park.

In association football,Central Premier LeaguesideWairarapa Unitedplay some of their home games at Masterton; also playing inCarterton.

Incricket,theHawke CupteamWairarapahave their headquarters in Masterton. Their home ground isQueen Elizabeth Park.

Masterton has an all-weather athletics track at theColin Pugh Sports BowlinLansdowne.

Amotorcycle speedwaytrack known as Penlee Speedway existed on the Norfolk Road during the 1970s and 1980s.It opened in November 1971 and was a significant venue for important speedway events, including the final of theNew Zealand Solo Championshipin 1978 and 1984.

Notable people

Main category:People from Masterton

• Sylvia Ashton-Warner,writer
• Mary Gertrude Banahan,Catholic sister
• Barry Barclay,writer and filmmaker
• Harold Barrowclough,Chief Justice of New Zealand
• Rocco Berry,rugby league player
• Amanda Billing,actor
• Roger Blackley,art historian
• Constance Bolton,artist
• Michael Bracewell,international cricketer
• Matahi Brightwell,master carver and founder ofwaka amasport in New Zealand
• Russell Calvert,politician
• Ted Chamberlain,plant pathologist
• Jemaine Clement,actor, comedian and musician
• Wyatt Creech,politician
• Helen Cowie,Doctor
• Ian Cross,novelist
• Barry Dallas,medical practitioner and politician
• George Davis-Goff,naval officer
• Haddon Donald,soldier, businessman and politician
• Pat Evison,actor
• John Falloon,politician
• Bill Francis,broadcaster
• George Groombridge,politician
• Christopher Hodson,judge
• Alexander Hogg,newspaper editor and politician
• Thomas W. Horton,RAF officer
• Raybon Kan,writer and stand-up comedian
• Ladyhawke,singer-songwriter
• Jack Lewin,prominent public servant
• SirBrian Lochore,All Black
• Alan MacDiarmid,Nobel Prize winning chemist
• Ron Mark,soldier and politician
• Harold Miller,librarian
• David Nicholson,Australian politician
• Susan Parkinson,nutritionist
• Edwin Perry,politician
• George Petersen,historian
• Arthur Prior,logician and philosopher
• Ian Prior,doctor and epidemiologist
• Frances Rutherford,artist
• Brad Shields.Rugby player
• Aaron Slight,World Superbike motorcycle racer
• Campbell Smith,playwright
• Harold Smith,politician
• J. Valentine Smith,landowner
• Olive Rose Sutherland,teacher
• Ivan Sutherland,ethnologist
• Selina Sutherland,nurse, founder of Masterton Hospital
• Bill Tolhurst,politician
• Elwyn Welch,farmer, ornithologist, conservationist and missionary

Sister cities

Masterton has sister-city relationships with:

• Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima,Japan
• Changchun,China
• Armidale, New South Wales,Australia

See also

• Masterton railway station
• Renall Street railway station
• Solway railway station

External links

• Masterton District Council
• Masterton Tourist Information