Stratford, New Zealand
Stratford
Whakaahurangi (Māori) | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 39°20′S 174°17′E / 39.333°S 174.283°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Taranaki |
| Territorial authority | Stratford District |
| Ward |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Stratford District Council |
| • Regional council | Taranaki Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Stratford | Neil Volzke[1] |
| • Whanganui MP | Carl Bates[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
| • Urban | 8.90 km2 (3.44 sq mi) |
| • District | 2,163.42 km2 (835.30 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 310 m (1,020 ft) |
| Population (June 2025)[5] | |
| • Urban | 6,430 |
| • Urban density | 722/km2 (1,870/sq mi) |
| • District | 10,500 |
| • District density | 4.85/km2 (12.6/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 4332 |
| Area code | 06 |
Stratford (Māori: Whakaahurangi) is the only town in Stratford District, and the seat of the Taranaki region, in New Zealand's North Island. It lies beneath the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki, approximately halfway between New Plymouth and Hāwera, near the geographic centre of the Taranaki Region. The town has a population of 6,430, making it the 62nd largest urban area in New Zealand (using the Statistical Standard for Geographic Areas 2018 (SSGA18)), and the fourth largest in Taranaki (behind New Plymouth, Hāwera and Waitara).
The Stratford District has a population of 10,500, and a land area of 2,163.35 km2 (835.27 sq mi), which is divided between the Manawatū-Whanganui region (including the settlements of Whangamōmona, Marco and Tahora, 31.87% of its land area) and the Taranaki region (68.13% of its land area).
Climate
[edit]Stratford has a temperate Oceanic climate (Köppen Climate Classification: Cfb)[6]
| Climate data for Stratford (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 29.5 (85.1) |
28.1 (82.6) |
26.6 (79.9) |
24.0 (75.2) |
20.7 (69.3) |
18.5 (65.3) |
18.3 (64.9) |
17.9 (64.2) |
20.6 (69.1) |
22.6 (72.7) |
24.8 (76.6) |
27.8 (82.0) |
29.5 (85.1) |
| Mean maximum °C (°F) | 25.8 (78.4) |
25.4 (77.7) |
23.7 (74.7) |
21.2 (70.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
15.8 (60.4) |
15.2 (59.4) |
16.2 (61.2) |
17.7 (63.9) |
19.8 (67.6) |
22.1 (71.8) |
23.7 (74.7) |
26.9 (80.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 20.9 (69.6) |
21.5 (70.7) |
19.8 (67.6) |
17.3 (63.1) |
14.8 (58.6) |
12.3 (54.1) |
11.7 (53.1) |
12.6 (54.7) |
13.8 (56.8) |
15.3 (59.5) |
17.1 (62.8) |
19.2 (66.6) |
16.4 (61.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.2 (61.2) |
16.6 (61.9) |
15.1 (59.2) |
12.9 (55.2) |
10.8 (51.4) |
8.7 (47.7) |
7.9 (46.2) |
8.6 (47.5) |
9.8 (49.6) |
11.1 (52.0) |
12.5 (54.5) |
14.8 (58.6) |
12.1 (53.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.5 (52.7) |
11.7 (53.1) |
10.3 (50.5) |
8.5 (47.3) |
6.9 (44.4) |
5.1 (41.2) |
4.1 (39.4) |
4.7 (40.5) |
5.8 (42.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
8.0 (46.4) |
10.4 (50.7) |
7.8 (46.1) |
| Mean minimum °C (°F) | 6.4 (43.5) |
6.8 (44.2) |
4.8 (40.6) |
2.6 (36.7) |
0.7 (33.3) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
0.6 (33.1) |
1.3 (34.3) |
2.6 (36.7) |
5.4 (41.7) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 2.7 (36.9) |
2.2 (36.0) |
0.8 (33.4) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 108.9 (4.29) |
121.5 (4.78) |
123.2 (4.85) |
157.8 (6.21) |
198.7 (7.82) |
193.6 (7.62) |
199.9 (7.87) |
200.4 (7.89) |
190.5 (7.50) |
202.8 (7.98) |
141.9 (5.59) |
154.2 (6.07) |
1,993.4 (78.47) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 233.2 | 199.6 | 196.2 | 153.2 | 128.4 | 102.4 | 120.2 | 141.4 | 141.9 | 170.4 | 198.1 | 196.0 | 1,981 |
| Source: NIWA[7][8] | |||||||||||||
Road and rail
[edit]Stratford is at the junction of State Highway 3 and State Highway 43.
On State Highway 3 New Plymouth is 39 km (24 mi) north, Inglewood 21 km (13 mi) north, Eltham 11 km (6.8 mi) south and Hāwera 30 km (19 mi) south.
On State Highway 43 Taumarunui is 146 km (91 mi) to the east. This road is known as "The Forgotten World Highway", due to the scarcity of settlement along the road in contrast to its earlier history. A sign reads "No Petrol for 150 km (93 mi)".
Stratford railway station is the junction of the Marton–New Plymouth and Stratford–Okahukura lines.
Population
[edit]Stratford is a rural service centre, serving the agricultural economy of its wider hinterland.
The population of the district peaked in 1961 at 11,300, and until the end of the century the town fluctuated between 5229 (2001) and 5664 (1996). The 21st century has seen significant economic growth and some associated population growth in the town.
Stats NZ describes Stratford as a small urban area, which covers 8.90 km2 (3.44 sq mi).[4] It had an estimated population of 6,430 as of June 2025,[5] with a population density of 722 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 5,337 | — |
| 2013 | 5,493 | +0.41% |
| 2018 | 5,886 | +1.39% |
| 2023 | 6,330 | +1.47% |
| The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 8.54 km2. Source: [9][10] | ||
Stratford had a population of 6,330 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 444 people (7.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 837 people (15.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 3,099 males, 3,219 females, and 15 people of other genders in 2,493 dwellings.[11] 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,248 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 1,071 (16.9%) aged 15 to 29, 2,655 (41.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,362 (21.5%) aged 65 or older.[9]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 88.0% European (Pākehā); 17.5% Māori; 2.2% Pasifika; 4.2% Asian; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori by 2.8%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 5.2%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]
Religious affiliations were 32.2% Christian, 0.7% Hindu, 0.2% Islam, 0.5% Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.7%, and 10.0% of people did not answer the census question.[9]
Of those at least 15 years old, 567 (11.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,979 (58.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,542 (30.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 273 people (5.4%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 2,319 (45.6%) full-time, 654 (12.9%) part-time, and 141 (2.8%) unemployed.[9]
| Name | Area (km2) |
Population | Density (per km2) |
Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stratford North | 3.42 | 2,169 | 634 | 840 | 41.0 years | $37,100[12] |
| Stratford Central | 2.77 | 2,175 | 785 | 924 | 43.0 years | $33,200[13] |
| Stratford South | 2.72 | 1,986 | 730 | 729 | 37.4 years | $31,600[14] |
| New Zealand | 38.1 years | $41,500 |
History and culture
[edit]Whakaahurangi
[edit]The Māori name for Stratford is Whakaahurangi, meaning to look to the sky. The name is taken from a story of the Ngāti Ruanui chieftainess/Puhi Ariki named Rua-pū-tahanga who fled her husband Whatihua from Waikato, travelling the track known as Te ara tapu o Ruaputahanga which stretches from Urenui down through Tariki, and ends near Patea. Here she stopped at the side of the Kahouri river near a fresh water spring. It is said she sat distraught and cried into the spring, naming it Te Puna Roimata o Ruaputahanga (The spring of Rua-pū-tahanga's tears), then camped overnight 3 km (1.9 mi) east of the current town. Being a clear night, Rua-pū-tahanga lay contemplating the stars when slumber overtook her. Withdrawing in respect, her followers observed that their chieftainess slept "with her face to the sky". The site continued to be used as a camping place for Māori, the track she followed linking the south Taranaki tribes to those in north Taranaki, and further north to Kawhia. Each travelling party would recollect the story of Rua-pū-tahanga sleeping with her face to the sky.[15]
Whakaahurangi Marae, a marae (meeting ground) of the Ngāti Ruanui tribe and its Ahitahi sub-tribe, is located in Stratford. It includes a wharenui (meeting house), known as Te Whetū o Marama.[16][17][non-tertiary source needed]
Surveying
[edit]There is no record of Māori settlement in the vicinity of Stratford. Before British settlement the area was covered in dense forest and swamp.[18] The Vogel schemes of the 1870s provided the necessary impetus to lead to the construction of a railway line south of New Plymouth, and the creation of road access at the same time, to open up access to the rich soils under the mountain.
In 1876, Taranaki Waste Lands Board assistant surveyor Edwin Stanley Brookes, Jnr. cut a meridian line from Waitara to the site of Stratford, and oversaw the subdivision of a block between the Manganui River and the Pātea River. The surveying of a new site for a town on the banks of the Pātea River was authorised on 11 June 1877, and the northern half of the town (above the Pātea River) was laid out by William Skinner in July. More lots were laid out by Peter Cheal in 1879, and in 1880 Skinner was directed to survey the southern half of the town.
Naming
[edit]
On 3 December 1877, the name Stratford-upon-Patea was adopted, on the motion of William Crompton of the Taranaki Waste Lands Board.[citation needed] The town was named after Stratford-upon-Avon due to similarities of the Patea River and the River Avon in Warwickshire.[19] The connection to William Shakespeare's hometown led to the naming of 67 streets after Shakespearian characters from 27 of his plays.[19]
Today New Zealand's only glockenspiel clock tower plays the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet three times a day. The spoken words are provided via external loudspeakers - there is no carillon (multiple bells) as would be more typical for glockenspiels in towers.[citation needed]
Settlement and growth
[edit]Stratford was formally classified as a town in June 1878, and on 31 August 1878 an auction of 455 sections saw the first sections sold. By 1881 the population was 97, comprising 56 males and 41 females, with 22 houses. By 1891 this had grown to a population of 342 and by 1896 1,256. This growth continued steadily until the mid-late 20th century, and has since fluctuated between 5229 (2001) and 5664 (1996), numbering 5,337 at the last census.
Institutional history
[edit]The first Stratford Town Board was formed in 1882. The Stratford County Council was formed in 1890, and the Stratford Borough Council was formed on 22 July 1898. In the same year, Stratford became the third town in New Zealand to have electric street lighting, on the initiative of inventor and entrepreneur Alexander Walker Reid.[20] The county and borough councils amalgamated on 1 April 1989 to form the Stratford District Council, which was reconstituted on 1 November 1989 as part of the nationwide restructure in local government.
Historic building
[edit]The Kings Theatre was given Category I status by Heritage New Zealand in 2024.[21]
Stratford Shakespeare Festival
[edit]The Stratford Shakespeare Festival takes place in various venues across Stratford in April each year.[22] It is presented by the Stratford Shakespeare Trust.[23]
Schools
[edit]There are two secondary schools in Stratford:
- Stratford High School is a coeducational secondary (years 9-13) school with a roll of 634.[24] The school was founded in 1897[25] and celebrated its centenary in 1997.[26]
- Taranaki Diocesan School for Girls is a state integrated Anglican girls' secondary (years 9-13) school with a roll of 123.[27] The school was founded in 1914 and moved to its present site in 1917.[28] Most of the students are boarders.[29] The school's name changed from St Mary's Diocesan School in 2018.[30]
There are three primary schools within Stratford township:
- Stratford Primary School has a roll of 440.[31] The school was founded in 1882 and celebrated 125 years in 2007.[32]
- Avon School has a roll of 79.[33] It opened in 1959.[34]
- St Joseph's School is a state integrated Catholic school with a roll of 167.[35] It opened in 1897.[36]
All these primary schools are coeducational and accept students for years 1–8. Rolls are as of July 2025.[37]
Parks and reserves
[edit] |
Stratford has a number of public parks and reserves, with names reflecting its English and Māori heritage;
- King Edward Park
- Victoria Park
- Windsor Park
- Kopuatama Cemetery
Born or lived in Stratford
[edit]Sports people
[edit]- Mark "Bull" Allen (31 July 1967), All Black, TV host
- Lisa Allpress (born 20 May, 1975), female jockey[38]
- Christine Arthur (26 August 1963), New Zealand field hockey player
- Arthur Collins (1906–1988), All Black
- John Graham (1 January 1935), All Black, NZRU president, NZ cricket team manager, Auckland University Chancellor, Auckland Grammar School headmaster, businessman
- Stan Lay (1906–2003) Olympic Javelin thrower (born in New Plymouth)
- Dave Loveridge (born 22 April 1952), former All Black
- John McCullough (8 January 1936), All Black
- Lane Penn, representative rugby footballer, coach, All Black selector and NZRU President
- Mark Robinson (born 17 January 1974), former All Black and current NZ Rugby CEO
- Ned Shewry (1889–1962), world champion woodchopper
- Alan Smith (10 December 1942), All Black
- Jeremiah Trueman (born 19 May 1987), New Zealand national basketball representative
Literature, art and culture
[edit]- Sylvia Ashton-Warner (1908–1984), novelist, autobiographer and educational pioneer
- Michael Hight (1961), artist - painter
- Michele Leggott (1956), poet and literary scholar
- Dominic Sheehan, author of Finding Home, a novel that illustrates growing up in Stratford[39]
- Cheryll Sotheran (1945-2017), founder of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Medicine
[edit]- John Daniel Bergin (17 January 1921 – 22 July 1995), Distinguished physician and neurologist, Catholic pro-life apologist
- Mel Brieseman, missionary to India, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health
- Doris Gordon (10 July 1890 – 9 July 1956), doctor and obstetrician
- Graham Gordon (10 December 1927 – 29 February 2004), Surgeon, St John's officer, NZMA Council Chairman (1977–1988) and NZMA President (1990–1991)
Law, government and politics
[edit]- Peter Gordon (1921 – 1991), National Party politician
- David Thomson (1915–1999), Minister of Defence and Minister of Justice in the Third National Government of New Zealand
- Venn Young (1929–1993), Cabinet minister in the Muldoon National Government and homosexual rights activist
Academics
[edit]- Alice Copping (14 May 1906 – 21 August 1982), Senior lecturer in nutrition, Queen Elizabeth College, University of London
- Dr Alan Kirton (1933 - 2001), agricultural scientist
- Jack Tizard (1919-1979) Professor of Child Development, University of London. CBE
Other
[edit]- Brian Davis, (1934–1998), Archbishop of New Zealand
- Emily Stevens (3 September 1900 – 8 August 1967), wholesale florist, nurserywoman, iris hybridiser
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Election Results". Stratford District Council. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Whanganui - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Stratford climate: Temperature & weather by month". Climate data. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database : Stratford Ews". NIWA. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 3532, 23872)". NIWA. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Stratford (1316). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Stratford North (220100), Stratford Central (220300) and Stratford South (220400).
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Stratford North. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Stratford Central. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Stratford South. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Gordon, W.F., Battersby, J.H., Richards, J.B., Kennedy, W.L., and Kelly, C.S.. Carved from the Bush: Stratford 1878-1928. 1928.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ Wagstaff, Blyss (9 September 2023). "The King's Theatre". Heritage New Zealand.
- ^ a b Martin, Nicola (Summer 2024). Dunlop, Anna (ed.). "Work of art". Heritage New Zealand. No. 175. Heritage New Zealand. pp. 12–13. ISSN 1175-9615.
- ^ Donald, Mary. "Alexander Walker Reid". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ Ilona Hanne (26 May 2024). "Stratford's 'Grand Old Lady' claims her heritage crown". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Home". Stratford Shakespeare Festival. 11 March 2025. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ "Stratford Shakespeare Festival". stratford.govt.nz. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Education Counts: Stratford High School
- ^ "Home Page". Stratford High School.
- ^ "Stratford High School". Education Gazette New Zealand. 76 (4). 10 March 1997. [permanent dead link]
- ^ Education Counts: Taranki Diocesan School
- ^ "Our Story". Taranaki Diocesan School.
- ^ "Boarding at Taranaki Dio". Taranaki Diocesan School.
- ^ Ilona Hanne (26 May 2024). "New name and logo for St Mary's Diocesan School". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ Education Counts: Stratford Primary School
- ^ "Stratford Primary School". Education Gazette New Zealand. 86 (1). 5 February 2007. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008.
- ^ Education Counts: Avon School
- ^ "Avon Primary School: Primer 1 to Primer 3 (1964-1965)". JJ Heath-Caldwell. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Education Counts: St Joseph's School
- ^ "Special Character". St Joseph's School. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "2024ワールドオールスタージョッキーズ出場外国騎手プロフィール" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "Past Winners". New Zealand Book Awards. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
References
[edit]- The Stratford Inheritance by Ian Church, 1990, Heritage Press Ltd, Waikanae, New Zealand: ISBN 0-908708-17-3
- Stratford: Shakespearean Town Under the Mountain by David Walter, 2005, Dunmore Publishing, Wellington, New Zealand: ISBN 1-877399-05-1