Hunterville, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Hunterville is a small community on State Highway 1, in the Rangitikei
district of the North Island
of New Zealand
. It is located half way between Taupo and Wellington and has a population (2001 census) of 507.
The township was founded in 1884 by a merchant named George Hunter. It straddles the state highway as well as the main trunk railway in the foothills forming the gateway to the Central Plateau.
The closest airport or airfield to Hunterville is Ohakea Aerodrome
which is sited 33 km to the south west. 6 km north of Hunterville is Vinegar Hill
.
Hunterville is well-known for its statue of the huntaway
, a specialised herding dog
that uses its voice to drive the sheep. The town festival and market held on the first Saturday after Labour Day has a "Shepherds Shemozzle" - a race with man and dog. with shepherds travelling from all over New Zealand to compete for the top prize.
Rangitikei
Rangitikei is an area in New Zealand that follows the course of State Highway 1, from just south of Waiouru with the QEII Army Memorial Museum, through Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville, Marton and Bulls, and then winds down a minor road to the coast at Turakina & Scott’s Ferry...
district of the North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is located half way between Taupo and Wellington and has a population (2001 census) of 507.
The township was founded in 1884 by a merchant named George Hunter. It straddles the state highway as well as the main trunk railway in the foothills forming the gateway to the Central Plateau.
The closest airport or airfield to Hunterville is Ohakea Aerodrome
RNZAF Base Ohakea
RNZAF Base Ohakea is an operational base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Opened in 1939, it is near Bulls, 25 km north west of Palmerston North in the Manawatu...
which is sited 33 km to the south west. 6 km north of Hunterville is Vinegar Hill
Vinegar Hill, New Zealand
Vinegar Hill is a camping ground, located on the banks of the Rangitikei River in New Zealand. It is notable due to hosting an annual LGBT celebration.-Location:...
.
Hunterville is well-known for its statue of the huntaway
Huntaway
The New Zealand Huntaway is a breed of dog used to drive sheep using their loud, deep bark. The breed is relatively new, dating as a distinct breed from the 1900s....
, a specialised herding dog
Herding dog
A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding...
that uses its voice to drive the sheep. The town festival and market held on the first Saturday after Labour Day has a "Shepherds Shemozzle" - a race with man and dog. with shepherds travelling from all over New Zealand to compete for the top prize.