Masterton

Masterton is the largest town (and local government district) in the Wairarapa region in the southeastern North Island of New Zealand. It is 85 kilometres north-east of Wellington and 70 kilometres south of Palmerston North, and stands on the Ruamahanga River.

Related Topics:
Wairarapa - North Island - New Zealand - Wellington - Palmerston North - Ruamahanga River

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Masterton is a thriving community with a 2001 population of 22,617{{ref|statistics.govt.nz}}. It therefore did not quite qualify to be a city by 1989 when the minimum population requirement for that status was lifted from 20,000 to 50,000. A commuter rail link allows many residents easy access to work in the cities of Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt.

Related Topics:
2001 - 1989 - Wellington - Lower Hutt - Upper Hutt

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Named after pioneer Joseph Masters, it was first settled by Europeans on 21 May 1854. It gained borough status in 1877.

Related Topics:
21 May - 1854 - 1877

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Local industries involve service industries for the surrounding farming community. The town is the headquarters of the annual Golden Shears sheep-shearing competition.

Related Topics:
Golden Shears - Sheep-shearing

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Although Masterton and the Wairarapa valley are reasonably close to Wellington, they are separated by the Rimutaka Ranges with a narrow winding road and a rail tunnel. There has been conjectural talk of constructing a road tunnel through the ranges, but as of the latest transportation plan from the Greater Wellington Regional Council{{ref|gw.govt.nz}}, the only work planned is for upgrades to the existing Rimutaka Hill road and the addition of passing lanes between Featherston and Masterton.

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