Brunswick, New Zealand

Brunswick is a rural community in the Whanganui District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.

It is located about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north-west of Whanganui, and includes lifestyle blocks and livestock farming.

History

The first European settlers to the area were the Campbell family, who arrived in February 1853 from the Canadian province of New Brunswick. They began farming 225 acres, which they called Brunswick farm; it later became a name for the whole area.

Politician John Bryce purchased a farm in Brunswick in 1851, following a short time in the Australian goldfields. He continued farming there for 50 years, including during his time as a local MP, the Minister of Native Affairs and the Leader of the Opposition.

In 1865, settler and provincial councillor James Hewett was killed by Māori, prompting European settlers to build four fortifications in the area.

In November 1871, Bryce personally directed the invasion of the Māori settlement of Parihaka and the arrest of the leaders of the movement, in line with his strict legal action against non-compliant Māori following the New Zealand Wars.

The National Library of New Zealand holds records of horses, cattle and gardens at Brunswick in the early 20th century, most from the Motohau Station farm.

In the 1930s, local dairy farms would deliver milk and cream by horse-drawn cart for local households.≈

Brunswick has a war memorial for the 12 local men who died in World War I and the three locals who died in World War II.

Education

Brunswick School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 100 as of February 2024.