Ashhurst

Ashhurst is a small town in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.

Location, features
Ashhurst is a small rural town 14 kilometres northeast of the city of Palmerston North.

There is a main street (Cambridge Avenue) which, once one leaves Ashhurst, turns into Pohangina Road, which leads to the Pohangina Valley.

It also features two Four Square supermarkets, both located on Cambridge Avenue and across the road from one another. One serves as the local Lotto outlet and video rental store and the other as a NZ POST agent. Both provide fresh vegetables and groceries.

The town stands under the Ruahine Range, beneath its tallest peak Wharite, upon which is a television and radio transmitter. Also at the Ashhurst Domain (cnr of Cambridge Ave and Napier Road (SH3)), one can view the Ruahine Ranges, the Tararua Ranges and the wind farm.

Transport
Ashhurst's importance stems from its location at the western end of the Manawatu Gorge. As such, it is close to the easiest road and rail link between the east and west coasts of the southern North Island.

Ashhurst is the location of Palmerston North's second bridge crossing over the Manawatu. There is an occasional bus which links Palmerston North with Ashhurst.

Parks and reserves

 * Ashhurst Domain - A large multipurpose park which includes a camping ground, a lookout to the wind farm, a cemetery and canine area.
 * Lincoln Park - The home ground to the local rugby team Ashhurst-Pohangina RFC

History
Ashhurst was named for Lord Henry Ashhurst, who owned land in the immediate area. Māori name for the area is Raukawa, after a native aromatic plant (Pseudopanax edgerleyi), whereas for the town it is Otangaki.

Notable figures
Andre Taylor came from Ashhurst and went to the local school. He made his Hurricanes debut season in 2010 and was also named in the New Zealand Maori squad on their centenary.

Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward
Ashhurst-Fitzherbert Ward is Palmerston North's largest ward covering the area from James Line to part way through the Manawatu Gorge, to just north of Ashhurst township. It was fairly recently created from the amalgamation of the Fitzherbert and Ashhurst Wards.

The ward stretches from the south of the city through to the north-east. It is predominantly rural, with most of the population living in Ashhurst, Aokautere and Linton. The area varies from the suburban to the foothills of the Tararua Ranges to the river valleys of the Manawatu and Pohangina Rivers.

The Saddle Road Bridge, which crosses this river, had to be recently replaced due to floods in 2004 when a flooded Pohangina River swept the bridge away. Saddle Road is the alternative route East when the Manawatu Gorge is closed.

There is an increasing amount of development in the area especially around Aokautere and Summerhill.

Because of the higher ground on the south bank of the Manawatu, there are spectacular views of the Ruahine Ranges and the northern parts of the city. On a clear day it is possible to see Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Taranaki.

Central Government
General
 * Rangitikei (as at 2011 General Election) is represented by New Zealand National MP Ian McKelvie.
 * Before 1996, Ashhurst was part of the Manawatu electorate. However, due to the change of the electoral system from FPP to MMP, the electorate of Rangitikei's boundaries were redrawn to include Ashhurst.

Māori
 * People on the Māori roll in Ashhurst are currently represented by Māori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia, MP for Te Tai Hauāuru