Halcombe
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Halcombe is a small settlement in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island, New Zealand. It is situated 10 km north west of Feilding and 4 km east of the Rangitikei River.
The population was 534 in the 2013 Census, an increase of 102 people, or 23.6 percent, since the 2006 Census. Halcombe has 1.9 percent of Manawatu District's population.[1]
Halcombe is situated on rolling hill country. The village centre is in a relatively low lying gully, with high hills to the west and low-lying hills to the east. The Halcombe area experiences a temperate climate which is similar to much of the Manawatu, with moderate wind and reasonable sunshine and rainfall; a good gardening climate. Frosts occur in winter, with one or two severe frosts each year due to the inland location. There are occasional fogs yearly.
The North Island Main Trunk railway line runs through Halcombe. There used to be a station in the centre of the village, however it is no longer the case.
History and culture
European settlement
Halcombe's settlement was organised by the immigration agent Arthur Halcombe who lived in nearby Feilding and took his name. The nearby locality of Stanway was named for his wife, Edith Stanway Halcombe (née Swainson).[2]
Halcombe was intended to be the main centre of Manawatu. As a result, a lot of farmland around Halcombe has paper roads.
Marae
The local Tokorangi Marae and Te Tikanga meeting house is affiliated with the Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū of Ngāti Waewae.[3][4]
The area also has three Ngāti Raukawa marae:
- Te Hiiri o Mahuta Marae and Te Hiiri o Mahuta meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Matakore and Ngāti Rangatahi.
- Poupatatē Marae and Poupatatē meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pikiahuwaewae.
- Taumata o Te Rā Marae and Manomano meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Manomano.[3][4]
Education
There is a primary school (years 1-8) with a roll of approximately 120 pupils,[5] a dairy, a pub, a public hall, two tennis courts, a playground, public toilets and a rugby field. The pub featured briefly on a DB TV beer ad in the 1990s. A travelling circus large enough to own an elephant once set up on Halcombe rugby field.
Sport
Halcombe has its own Rugby Football Club with club rooms on Willoughby Street.
Points of interest
In the centre of the village there is a war memorial.
There is a dilapidated taxidermist's in the central area, Zentveld Taxidermy.
History
Halcombe was once the main railway junction in the central north island. An active riverbed on the Rangitikei River stopped further development. Development was shifted to Palmerston North.
Notable people
- Kerri Gowler, New Zealand International rower,[6]
- Jackie Gowler, New Zealand Junior rower,[6]
References
- ^ Quick Facts Halcombe 2013 Census
- ^ Swainson, G. M. "Arthur William Follett Halcombe". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ a b "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ Education Counts: Halcombe Primary School
- ^ a b New Zealand Herald, 14 May 2014. Rowing: Sisters show they have pulling power, By Maggie Campbell
External links
