Levin, New Zealand
| Levin Taitoko | |
.svg)  Levin | |
| Population: | 21,200 (June 2018)[1] |
| Territorial Authority | |
| Horowhenua District | |
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Levin (Maori: Taitoko) is a town in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand, and is the largest town in the Horowhenua district. It is 90 kilometres north of Wellington, 50 kilometres south of Palmerston North, and two kilometres to the east of Lake Horowhenua.
The town is on State Highway 1, and on the North Island Main Trunk with a station used by the Capital Connection long distance commuter train between Wellington and Palmerston North and the Overlander long distance train between Wellington and Auckland.
The town was named after William Hort Levin, a director of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. The name is a variation of the Jewish clan Levi. It is a shibboleth – unlike the usual pronunciation of the surname, stress is placed on the second syllable of the word. The name thus rhymes with the word 'begin'. The town's Maori name is Taitoko.
Levin is a service centre for the surrounding rural area, and a centre of light manufacturing. According to the June 2018, the estimated resident population was 21,200.[1] Over 20% of inhabitants were listed as over the age of 65, a considerably higher percentage than the national average.[2] The town celebrated its centenary in 2006 and the bowls club celebrated theirs in 2007.
Notable people
- Jack Afamasaga - rugby league player
- Paul Beresford - British politician
- Pat Booth - journalist/writer
- Suzy Clarkson - newsreader
- Kay Cohen - Fashion Designer
- Joy Cowley - novelist
- Rebecca Gibney - actress
- Nathan Guy - politician
- Nicky Hager - author
- Darren Hughes - politician
- Dean Kent - Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer
- Doug Kidd - politician
- Matthew Saunoa - New Zealand Idol winner 2006
- George Silk - photographer
- Carlos Spencer - rugby union player
- Andrew Sewell - conductor
- Omega Levine - lead singer of world-famous Parachute Band
- Anne Robertson - Singer 2005 Australian Idol Finalist
Schools
References
- ^ a b "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2019". Statistics New Zealand. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020. For urban areas, "Subnational population estimates (UA, AU), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996, 2001, 2006–18 (2017 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Levin age profile, NZ Stats"