View source for Pahiatua

{{Short description|Town in Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                    = Pahiatua
|native_name             = {{langx|mi|Pahīatua}}
|image_skyline           = Market day pahiatua 1st dec 2007 1.JPG
|imagesize               =
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|subdivision_type        = Country
|subdivision_name        = New Zealand
|subdivision_type1       = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
|subdivision_name1       = [[Manawatū-Whanganui]]
|subdivision_type2       = [[Territorial authority]] 
|subdivision_name2       = [[Tararua District|Tararua]]
|subdivision_type3       = Ward
|subdivision_name3       = {{ubl|South Tararua General Ward|Tamaki nui-a Rua Maori Ward}}
|seat_type               = [[New Zealand electorates|Electorates]]
|seat                    = {{ubl|[[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa]]|[[Ikaroa-Rāwhiti]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])}}
|parts_type              =
|government_footnotes    =
|government_type         =
|leader_title            = Territorial Authority
|leader_name             = [[Tararua District Council]]
|leader_title1           = Regional council
|leader_name1            = [[Horizons Regional Council]]
|leader_title2           = [[Mayor of Tararua|Tararua Mayor]]
|leader_name2            = {{NZ officeholder data|Tararua District Mayor|y}}
|leader_title3           = [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa MP]]
|leader_name3            = {{NZ officeholder data|Wairarapa MP|y}}
|leader_title4           = [[Ikaroa-Rāwhiti|Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP]]
|leader_name4            = {{NZ officeholder data|Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP|y}}
|established_title       = Founded
|established_date        = 1881
|established_title1      = Settled
|established_date1       = 28 February 1882
|established_title2      = Incorporated (borough)
|established_date2       = 25 July 1892
|established_title3      =
|established_date3       =
|extinct_title           =
|extinct_date            =
|founder                 = W. W. McCardle
|named_for               =
|elevation_footnotes     =  <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
|elevation_max_footnotes =  <!--for references: use  tags-->
|elevation_min_footnotes =  <!--for references: use  tags-->
|elevation_m             = 103
|elevation_ft            = 341
|elevation_max_m         =
|elevation_max_ft        =
|elevation_min_m         =
|elevation_min_ft        =
|area_footnotes          = <ref name="SA22018_V1_00"/>
|area_total_km2          = 3.88
|population_total        = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Pahiatua|y}}
|population_as_of        = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y}}
|population_footnotes    = {{NZ population data 2023 SA2||||y}}
|population_density_km2  = auto
|timezone1               = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]]
|utc_offset1             = +12
|timezone1_DST           = [[Time in New Zealand|NZDT]]
|utc_offset1_DST         = +13
|coordinates             = {{coord|40|27|12|S|175|50|27|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type        = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]]
|postal_code             = 4910
|area_code_type          =
|area_code               = 06
|website                 = 
}}
'''Pahiatua''' ({{langx|mi|Pahīatua}})<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schrader |first1=Ben |title=Story: Wairarapa places – Pahīatua |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa-places/page-1 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> is a rural service town in the south-eastern [[North Island]] of New Zealand with a population of {{NZ population data 2018||y}}. It is between [[Masterton]] and [[Woodville, New Zealand|Woodville]] on [[New Zealand State Highway 2|State Highway 2]] and along the [[Wairarapa Line]] railway, {{convert|60|km}} north of Masterton and {{convert|30|km}} east of [[Palmerston North]]. It is usually regarded as being in the Northern [[Wairarapa]]. For local government purposes, [[1989 New Zealand local government reforms|since 1989]] it has been in the [[Tararua District]], which encompasses [[Eketāhuna]], Pahiatua, [[Woodville, New Zealand|Woodvillle]], [[Dannevirke]], [[Norsewood]] and the far east of the [[Manawatū-Whanganui]] region.

== History and culture ==

===19th century===

The Wellington Land Board decided in December 1880 to offer land in the Pahiatua Block for settlement. This consisted of {{convert|12000|acre}}, of which {{convert|3000|acre}} was offered on a deferred payment basis. Applications for the land closed in February the following year, but there seems to have been little interest at first. Sales of land from the original offer continued over the next few years.

The Pahiatua village was not a settlement initiated by the government, but rather one that had its origin in land speculation. Several subdivisions were established by private landholders including W. W. McCardle, H. Manns, A. W. and Henry Sedcole, and W. Wakeman. It is claimed that the first settlers were John Hall, who arrived on 28 February 1881, followed by John Hughes the next day. These men, plus the brothers of Hughes and their families, comprised Pahiatua's population the first summer. Precisely when the town of Pahiatua came into being is not clear, as it has not been established when McCardle's first land sale took place. However, by the summer of 1883 he was advertising grassed suburban sections, "improved" acres, and other unimproved lots. In November 1885, he sought to dispose of a large portion of one of his subdivisions at an auction in [[Napier, New Zealand|Napier]].

[[File:View of the main street in Pahiatua, showing the Club Hotel, 1929. ATLIB 295104.png|thumb|Main Street and the Club Hotel in 1929]]
Development of the land quickly produced results, and by August 1883, {{convert|5000|acre}} had been cleared, several hundred heads of cattle were being grazed, and the population stood at 150. The efforts of the early settlers were sufficient to attract storekeepers and even a hotel.

The government belatedly decided to get involved and agreed to survey a township reserve in December 1882. They later changed their minds and postponed any decision, citing the need to wait for the final determination of the route of the railway. The settlers, also desirous of being close to the railway to improve land values, made strenuous efforts to have the line run through the town, but like their southern counterparts in [[Greytown, New Zealand|Greytown]], were ultimately unsuccessful. The legacy of this plan can be seen today in the unusual width of Pahiatua's Main Street, which was designed to accommodate the railway down the centre. The intended railway reserve became a grassed median after it was decided to build the railway line to the west of the town.

In 1981, Pahiatua celebrated its centennial with a weekend full of historical events, and in 2006 its 125th anniversary with a grand parade of 125 floats, vehicles and horses.

===Naming of the town===

The town was named by its founder, [[William Wilson McCardle]].<ref name="New Zealand Place Names"/><ref name="NZETC McCardle">{{cite book |title=The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Wellington Provincial District |year=1897 |url= http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d98-d14.html#name-415038-mention |publisher=[[The Cyclopedia of New Zealand]] |author=Cyclopedia Company Limited |access-date=29 June 2012 |location=Wellington |chapter=Old Settlers, &C}}</ref> ''Pahiatua'' was already the name of the wider Pahiatua Block.<ref>{{cite news |title=Waste Lands Board |date=15 June 1877 |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18770615.2.12 |newspaper=[[New Zealand Times]] |via=[[Papers Past]] |access-date=15 May 2021}}</ref> When translated from [[Māori language|Māori]], ''Pahiatua'' can mean "god's resting place". The explanation accompanying this translation is that a chief fleeing from his enemies was led by his war god to this hill to seek refuge.<ref name="New Zealand Place Names">{{cite book|last=Reed|first=A. W.|title=Place Names of New Zealand|year=2010|publisher=Raupo |location=Rosedale, North Shore |isbn=9780143204107|page = 299|editor=Peter Dowling}}</ref>

===20th century===

Historical population counts show a steady increase in the size of the town throughout most of the 20th century.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Population
! 1886
! 1896
! 1906
! 1926
! 1945
! 1961
! 1975
|-
| Pahiatua
| 473
| 1158
| 1370
| 1477
| 1749
| 2578
| 2630
|}

Pahiatua was the location of one of New Zealand's most powerful earthquakes when on 5 March 1934 a magnitude 7.6 quake struck at Horoeka. The [[1934 Pahiatua earthquake]] was felt as far away as Auckland and Dunedin.<ref name="NZ's biggest quakes">{{cite news |title=NZ's biggest quakes |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4095670/NZs-biggest-quakes |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |date=4 September 2010 }}</ref><ref name="No big quakes for 7000 years">{{cite news |title=No big quakes for 7000 years |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/archive/national-news/271429 |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Wellington |date=15 February 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Photo of Pahiatua, and Life at the Camp (10806515755).jpg|thumb|Formerly the racecourse,<br>the camp in 1944]]
[[File:Polish refugees arriving in New Zealand (Image 3).jpg|thumb|Polish refugees arriving at [[Wellington]] and at the Polish Children's Camp at Pahiatua, 1944]]
On 1 November 1944, 838 [[Polish people|Polish]] [[refugee]]s, of which 733 were children, were sent to a [[refugee camp]] about {{convert|2|km}} south of the town. The camp had been used as an [[internment camp]] for foreigners at the start of [[World War II]]. The camp even had a Polish elementary school (until 1949) and a Polish gymnasium (until 1946).<ref>{{cite journal|last=Ney-Krwawicz|first=Marek|year=2011|title=Tułacze dzieci i ich szkoły 1939–1948|journal=Niepodległość i Pamięć|language=pl|publisher=[[Museum of Independence|Muzeum Niepodległości w Warszawie]]|issue=18/2 (34)|page=98|issn=1427-1443}}</ref> The settlement was expected to be a temporary measure, but with the occupation of Central Europe, including [[Poland]], by the [[Soviet Union]] and its subsequent imposition of communist regimes after the end of the war, the refugees stayed on at the camp until 1949 at which point they were [[Naturalization|naturalised]].<ref>{{cite web|first=John |last=Roy-Wojciechowski |title=Pahiatua Children |url=http://www.polishheritage.co.nz/english/pahiatua.html |publisher=Consulate of the Republic of Poland in New Zealand |location=Auckland |date=July 1999 |access-date=29 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801135937/http://www.polishheritage.co.nz/english/pahiatua.html |archive-date=1 August 2009 }}</ref><ref name="Forever Pahiatua">{{cite news |first=MERVYN |last=DYKES |title=Forever Pahiatua |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/features/2290840/Forever-Pahiatua |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=11 May 2009 |access-date=29 June 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-PolFirs-t1-g1-g1-t5.html|title=The Polish Children's Camp in Pahiatua|work=New Zealand Electronic Text Centre|publisher=Victoria University of Wellington|access-date=30 June 2009}}</ref>

In 1951, the camp was used for over 900 refugees from Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2004, the New Zealand Polish community celebrated its 60th anniversary and the 65th anniversary celebrations were held in 2009 at which former Polish president [[Lech Wałęsa]] was to have been the guest of honour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Polish president to visit Wellington |first=TIM |last=DONOGHUE |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/politics/2828591/Former-Polish-president-to-visit-Wellington |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)|The Dominion Post]] |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Wellington |date=3 September 2009 |access-date=16 October 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Polish past revealed |first=MICHELLE |last=LOTTER |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/3031197/Polish-past-revealed |work=North Shore Times |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Auckland |date=5 November 2009 |access-date=27 December 2009 }}</ref> The local museum opened a new exhibit in 2017 to tell the story of the refugees' experience in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 September 2017 |title=Museum tells the story of 700 Polish Kiwis |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/96592367/museum-tells-the-story-of-700-polish-kiwis |work=Stuff |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |access-date=7 September 2017 }}</ref>

===21st century===

[[File:Shoppers at Pahiatua 1st dec 2007.JPG|thumb|The 2007 Pahiatua Christmas Parade.]]

The estimated population of Pahiatua reached 2,760 in 1996, 2,660 in 2001, 2,547 in 2006, 2,403 in 2013, and 2,682 in 2018.<ref name="Stats NZ Pahiatua " />

Average residential property prices increased 43% between 2005 and 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Eketahuna leads the way in Tararua towns' rising popularity |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/685074 |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=22 October 2008 |access-date=27 December 2009 }}</ref>

==Geography==

Pahiatua covers an area of 3.86&nbsp;km², all of it land.<ref name="SA22018_V1_00">{{cite web |title=Statistical Area 2 2018 (generalised) GIS |url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/layer/92212-statistical-area-2-2018-generalised/data/ |website=stats.govt.nz |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]] |format=Data table}}</ref>

===Climate===

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Pahiatua (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1928–present)
| Jan record high C = 32.8
| Feb record high C = 32.2
| Mar record high C = 33.0
| Apr record high C = 28.1
| May record high C = 23.5
| Jun record high C = 20.1
| Jul record high C = 19.4
| Aug record high C = 19.1
| Sep record high C = 22.3
| Oct record high C = 25.2
| Nov record high C = 27.9
| Dec record high C = 29.9
| year record high C = 
|Jan record low C  = 0.4
|Feb record low C  = -0.8
|Mar record low C  = -2.0
|Apr record low C  = -5.0
|May record low C  =  -6.2
|Jun record low C  = -6.0
|Jul record low C  = -6.1
|Aug record low C  = -6.1
|Sep record low C  = -5.0
|Oct record low C  = -2.9
|Nov record low C  = -3.7
|Dec record low C  = -0.2
|year record low C = 
|Jan high C = 	21.8
|Feb high C = 	22.4
|Mar high C = 	20.7
|Apr high C = 	18.0
|May high C = 	15.1
|Jun high C = 	12.7
|Jul high C = 	12.1
|Aug high C = 	12.8
|Sep high C = 	14.4
|Oct high C = 	16.1
|Nov high C = 	17.5
|Dec high C = 	20.0
| year high C = 	
|Jan mean C = 	17.1
|Feb mean C = 	17.4
|Mar mean C = 	15.7
|Apr mean C = 	13.2
|May mean C = 	10.8
|Jun mean C = 	8.6
|Jul mean C = 	8.1
|Aug mean C = 	8.7
|Sep mean C = 	10.5
|Oct mean C = 	12.0
|Nov mean C = 	13.3
|Dec mean C = 	15.9
| year mean C = 	
|Jan low C = 	12.3
|Feb low C = 	12.3
|Mar low C = 	10.7
|Apr low C = 	8.4
|May low C = 	6.5
|Jun low C = 	4.6
|Jul low C = 	4.0
|Aug low C = 	4.6
|Sep low C = 	6.5
|Oct low C = 	7.8
|Nov low C = 	9.1
|Dec low C = 	11.7
| year low C = 	
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 	95.9
|Feb rain mm = 	115.1
|Mar rain mm = 	78.2
|Apr rain mm = 	91.1
|May rain mm = 	113.4
|Jun rain mm = 	149.8
|Jul rain mm = 	123.5
|Aug rain mm = 	116.0
|Sep rain mm = 	136.2
|Oct rain mm = 	144.8
|Nov rain mm = 	159.6
|Dec rain mm = 	125.9
|year rain mm = 	
|source 1 = NIWA (rain 1981–2010)<ref name= NIWA>
{{cite web
|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz
|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Pahiatua	
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 20 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 2385, 7385, 38224)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 14 Sep 2024}}</ref>
}}

==Amenities==

===Marae===

Pahiatua Marae, featuring Te Kohanga Whakawhaiti meeting house, is a traditional meeting place for [[Rangitāne]] and its Ngāti Hāmua and Te Kapuārangi sub-tribes.<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]}}</ref> It includes Te Kohanga Whakawhaiti ''[[wharenui]]'' (meeting house).<ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>

===Museums===

Pahiatua & Districts Museum opened in 1977.<ref name="nzmuseums-Pahiatua & Districts Museum">{{cite web |title=Pahiatua & Districts Museum on NZ Museums  |url=https://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/collections/3136/pahiatua-districts-museum-society-inc |website=nzmuseums.co.nz |publisher=[[Te Papa]]}}</ref>

[[Pahiatua Railcar Society]] has been operating since 1991.<ref name="Pahiatua Railcar Society">{{cite web |title=Pahiatua Railcar Society |url=https://www.railcars.co.nz/ |publisher=Pahiatua Railcar Society}}</ref><ref name="pmitchell">{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Paul |title=Pahiatua Railcar Society on right track with Tararua community awards win |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/97008274/pahiatua-railcar-society-on-right-track-with-tararua-community-awards-win |agency=[[Manawatu Standard]] |publisher=[[stuff.co.nz]] |date=21 September 2017}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
Pahiatua covers {{Convert|3.88|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=13 May 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Pahiatua|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Pahiatua|y}}|R}}/3.88|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|2,547|2013|2,403|2018|2,682|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}}
Pahiatua had a population of 2,682 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 279 people (11.6%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 135 people (5.3%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 1,053 households, comprising 1,269 males and 1,413 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female. The median age was 40.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 603 people (22.5%) aged under 15 years, 429 (16.0%) aged 15 to 29, 1,092 (40.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 561 (20.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.6% European/[[Pākehā]], 23.5% [[Māori people|Māori]], 2.5% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 2.5% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 9.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.3% had no religion, 41.7% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.6% had [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.4% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.1% were [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim]], 0.3% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 192 (9.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 621 (29.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 216 people (10.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 825 (39.7%) people were employed full-time, 312 (15.0%) were part-time, and 114 (5.5%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Pahiatua (233600)|pahiatua|Pahiatua}}</ref>

==Economy==

The economy is based on support for sheep and beef farming and the dairy industry, with the Fonterra Dairy factory in [[Mangamutu]] and Tui Brewery in [[Mangatainoka]], both located just outside the town. Other major employers include Betacraft and Sweet Foods, located in the town itself.

In 2018, 16.9% of the workforce worked in manufacturing, 5.8% worked in construction, 5.0% worked in hospitality, 3.4% worked in transport, 7.9% worked in education, and 9.8% worked in healthcare.<ref name="Stats NZ Pahiatua " />

==Government==

The residents of Pahiatua were politically active from early on, advocating for their own Roads Board around June 1883. By August 1886, Pahiatua had gained town district status and only two years later, in October 1888, the Pahiatua County Council was established. The town was constituted as a borough on 25 July 1892.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Brian Newton |last=Davis |author2=Dollimore, Edward Stewart |title=PAHIATUA |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/1966/P/Pahiatua/en |encyclopedia=Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |date=18 September 2007 |access-date=29 June 2009}}</ref>  The council remained the political master of the town and surrounding area until the local government reforms of 1989 merged the town into the Tararua District Council.

At central government level, Pahiatua was located in the [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa seat]] until 1881, at which point the electorate was split into [[Wairarapa North]] and [[Wairarapa South]] (later to become Masterton and Wairarapa respectively in 1887). Part of the [[Masterton (New Zealand electorate)|Masterton seat]] was divided off into the new [[Pahiatua (New Zealand electorate)|Pahiatua seat]] in 1896, which remained the political home of Pahiatua until the electorate was amalgamated with the Wairarapa seat in 1996.

The settlement is now part of [[Tararua District]] (led by mayor {{NZ officeholder data|Tararua District Mayor|y}}), the [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa electorate]] (represented by {{NZ officeholder data|Wairarapa MP|y}}) and [[Te Tai Tonga|Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate]] (represented by {{NZ officeholder data|Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP|y}}).

== Transportation ==

As of 2018, among those who commute to work, 71.0% drove a car, 4.7% rode in a car, 2.9% use a bike, and 2.9% walk or run. No one commuted by public transport.<ref name="Stats NZ Pahiatua ">{{cite web |title=Place Summary – Pahiatua |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/pahiatua |website=Stats NZ |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]]}}</ref>

The town's public transport now consists of a single trip from Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday Masterton – Palmerston North and return bus service (with an extra service on Fridays) run by Tranzit Coachlines.<ref>{{cite web|title=MPN Palmerston North – Masterton |url=http://www.metlink.org.nz/timetables/bus/MPN |work=Timetables |publisher=Metlink |access-date=7 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523004427/http://www.metlink.org.nz/timetables/bus/MPN |archive-date=23 May 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:NZR RM class Standard 03.JPG|right|thumb|RM 31 (Tokomaru) going for a run through the Pahiatua station yard.]]
An electric [[tram]]way system was considered for Pahiatua, but never constructed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stewart |first1=Graham |editor1-first=Anna |editor1-last=Rogers |title=The End of the Penny Section: When Trams Ruled the Streets of New Zealand |edition=Revised enlarged |year=1993 |orig-year=1973 |publisher=Grantham House Publishing |location=Wellington |isbn=1-86934-037-X |page=101 |chapter=The Final Spread of the Steel Web }}</ref>

Rail transport to Pahiatua was available from 3 May 1897 when the town's [[Pahiatua Railway Station|railway station]] opened, marking the completion of the Wairarapa Line as far north as the town. The line was completed through to Pahiatua's northern neighbour, Woodville, several months later, on 11 December 1897. Improvements made to the region's road network in the latter half of the 20th century led to a decline in the popularity of rail for public transport. The service was finally withdrawn in 1988 when the last passenger train between Palmerston North and Masterton stopped at Pahiatua on Friday, 29 July.{{sfn|Churchman|Hurst|2001|p=160}}

Pahiatua is the home of the [[Pahiatua Railcar Society]], a non-profit railway heritage organisation based at the town's railway station, whose purpose is to preserve and restore to working order [[railcar]]s formerly in revenue service on [[Rail transport in New Zealand|New Zealand's railway network]]. Some of the notable vehicles in their collection include a [[NZR RM class (Standard)|Standard class railcar]] (RM31), a [[NZR RM class (Wairarapa)|Wairarapa class railcar]] (RM5), and a [[NZR RM class (88 seater)|Twin Set railcar]] (RM121). The society leases the railway station from [[KiwiRail]] and opens their museum to the public once a month.

== Healthcare ==

Pahiatua had its own hospital, located on a site at the southern end of the town, since 1902. In November 1997, the hospital, then under the jurisdiction of Palmerston North-based Mid Central Health, was informed that it would soon close as the [[Health Funding Authority]] could no longer afford to keep it open. This was despite numerous assurances given to the town from 1992 by successive health authorities that the hospital was in no danger of being closed. The closure date was set at 30 June 1998, by which time the only services offered by the hospital were an x-ray department, maternity, a general ward, and geriatric, palliative, convalescent, and rehabilitation care. However, part of the complex remained open until the last patients could be relocated to a new facility at Waireka Home that was still under construction.<ref name="Pahiatua hospital loses its brave fight for survival">{{cite news |first=RACHEL |last=FORDE |title=Pahiatua hospital loses its brave fight for survival |url=http://www.wairarapa.co.nz/times-age/weekly/pahhos.html |work=Wairarapa Times-Age |publisher=APN News & Media |location=Masterton |date=18 July 1998 |access-date=29 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819062403/http://wairarapa.co.nz/times-age/weekly/pahhos.html |archive-date=19 August 2007 }}</ref>

Following the closure of the hospital in 1998, hospital-level care has been provided at Palmerston North hospital as the town is in the jurisdiction of Mid Central Health.<ref name="Pahiatua hospital loses its brave fight for survival"/>

Also, after the closing of the town's hospital was the establishment of the Pahiatua Medical Centre, which now dispenses general practice health care to the town's residents and, via outreach clinics, to residents of Eketahuna and Woodville. It is run by the Tararua PHO (Primary Health Organisation).<ref>{{cite web |title=Pahiatua Medical Centre |url=http://www.centralhealth.org.nz/?Health_Providers:Doctors_-_Medical_Centres:Pahiatua_Medical_Centre |publisher=Central Health |date=28 June 2009 |access-date=29 June 2009}}</ref>

The old Pahiatua hospital complex was refurbished and converted into a private conference and accommodation business called Masters Hall.<ref>{{cite news |title=Run-down Pahiatua Hospital has been reborn |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/760389 |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=13 December 2008 |access-date=29 June 2009 }}</ref> It was put up for sale in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clement |first=Diana |date=2025-04-11 |title=‘Big, burly men’ get scared the most - ex-hospital with paranormal past for sale |url=https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/big-burly-men-get-scared-the-most-ex-hospital-with-paranormal-past-for-sale-47331 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Oneroof |language=en}}</ref>

== Communications ==

The area code for Pahiatua is 06 as for telecommunications purposes it is part of the Manawatu-Wairarapa-Hawkes Bay region in the lower North Island. Local numbers generally begin with 376, with the next digit being 0, 6, 7 or 8.

The Tararua District Council formed an alliance with the telecommunications companies Inspire Net, Inspired Networks, Digital Nation and FX Networks to link the four major towns in its jurisdiction to Palmerston North with a [[Optical fiber cable|fibre optic cable]]. The link between Palmerston North and Pahiatua was expected to go live on 31 July 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cabling depends on money |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/505993 |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=26 June 2008 |access-date=29 June 2009 }}</ref>  The service is now available to some rural residents and urban customers.<ref>{{cite news |first=GRANT |last=MILLER |title=Super fast and a super help |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/features/2858013/Super-fast-and-a-super-help |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=12 September 2009 |access-date=22 September 2009 }}</ref> As of 2023, fibre internet is available to customers in Pahiatua after extensive infrastructure updates were made by Chorus.

Tararua College is one of 14 schools nationwide set to become the first to benefit from the government's broadband in schools initiative. Funding of $34 million has been allocated for the programme, of which the schools will receive $5 million for upgrades to their information technology equipment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tararua College to get a broadband boost |url=http://www.times-age.co.nz/local/news/tararua-college-to-get-a-broadband-boost/3904248/ |work=Wairarapa Times-Age |publisher=APN News & Media |date=17 September 2009 |access-date=18 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720130453/http://www.times-age.co.nz/local/news/tararua-college-to-get-a-broadband-boost/3904248/ |archive-date=20 July 2011  }}</ref>

=== Media ===
[[File:Tararua TV.JPG|right|thumb|Local TV station "Tararua TV" filming at the 2007 Christmas Market day.]]

Free-to-air television broadcasts are available in Pahiatua, including the major national channels offered by [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]] and [[Prime Television New Zealand|Prime]] from [[SKY Network Television|Sky Television]]. Also available is digital television from both Sky Television (via satellite) and [[Freeview (New Zealand)|Freeview]] (either via UHF terrestrial broadcasts or by satellite).

Pahiatua is the home of the regional television station Tararua Television. The founders Hart Udy and Jonathan McLean had a vision to broadcast free-to-air family-friendly television programs, and the vision came to life. The channel began in a studio at Tararua College in 2004 and officially opened by Martin Matthews, CEO of Culture and Heritage. The studio then moved to Pahiatua Christian Fellowship, where they produced their first live program, celebrating their first birthday. At that time, TTV was broadcasting to an audience of approximately 5,000 in Pahiatua and Woodville. A local fund-raising effort enabled the station to increase its coverage to Palmerston North, Foxton, Bulls, Marton, Feilding and Ashhurst and a ceremony to mark the occasion was held on 1 May 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tararua TV widens reach |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/398660 |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=2 May 2008 |access-date=29 June 2009 }}</ref>

With the switch off of analogue television services within the Manawatu-Whanganui Region on 29 September 2013 and to ensure business continuity, Tararua Television has secured resource consent and licensing to broadcast on DTV27 via Freeview from its own stand-alone transmission site on Wharite capturing a potential primary audience exceeding 133,000 throughout the Manawatu-Whanganui Region predominantly in the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Rangitikei and Tararua districts. From small beginnings, Tararua Television continually strives to succeed and grow within an environment dominated by mainstream television and today is a force to be reckoned with. Locally owned and operated Tararua Television provides an alternative viewing platform of locally produced community-focused and family-safe television programmes from throughout the region that involve the community yet are non-judgmental. Tararua Television is a member of the Regional Broadcasters Association (RTB) and is the only regional television station between Nelson in the south to Hawke's Bay in the East and Central TV Matamata in the North.

When the Tararua District moved to digital TV transmission in 2013, the TTV directors reluctantly closed the Tararua Television station because of financial constraints.

== Education ==

[[Tararua College]], a co-educational state secondary school, is located in Pahiatua.<ref name="official235">{{cite web |title=Tararua College Official School Website |url=http://www.tararuacollege.school.nz |website=tararuacollege.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe235">{{cite web |title=Tararua College Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=235 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> It was established in 1960,<ref>{{cite web|title=Tararua College 50th Jubilee Reunion |url=http://www.tararuacollege.school.nz/reunion.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322064059/http://www.tararuacollege.school.nz/reunion.html |publisher=Tararua College |location=Pahiatua |date=May 2009 |archive-date=22 March 2009 |access-date=29 June 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|235|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.<ref name="ero235">{{cite web |title=Tararua College Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=235 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>

Pahiatua School is a co-educational state primary school,<ref name="official2945">{{cite web |title=Pahiatua School Official School Website |url=http://www.pahiatua.school.nz |website=pahiatua.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe2945">{{cite web |title=Pahiatua School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=2945 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2945|y}}.<ref name="ero2945">{{cite web |title=Pahiatua School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=2945 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>

St Anthony's School is a co-educational state-integrated Catholic primary school,<ref name="official2998">{{cite web |title=St Anthony's School Official School Website |url=http://www.stanthony.ac.nz |website=stanthony.ac.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe2998">{{cite web |title=St Anthony's School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=2998 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2998|y}}.<ref name="ero2998">{{cite web |title=St Anthony's School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=2998 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]]}}</ref>

A consultation document proposing the reorganisation of educational facilities in the Tararua District was released by the Bush Education Plan working group in July 2009. Amongst its recommendations was the closure of several schools in the district, such as Hillcrest School, and for their rolls to be merged into other schools, such as Pahiatua School.<ref>{{cite news |first=LAURA |last=JACKSON |author2=KATIE CHAPMAN |author3=JANINE RANKIN |title=Schools fight to survive |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2703204/Schools-fight-to-survive |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=30 July 2009 |access-date=3 August 2017 }}</ref>  The plan was scrapped a month later when the working group was dissolved after a vitriolic response from local residents and a statement from the Minister of Education that she had no plans to close any schools in the region against the wishes of the local community.<ref>{{cite news |first=KATIE |last=CHAPMAN |title= Tararua schools avoid the axe |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2762222/Tararua-schools-avoid-the-axe |work= The Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date= 18 August 2009 |access-date=3 August 2017 }}</ref>

==Town facilities==

Unusual for a town of its size, Pahiatua has retained several amenities that were lost to similar towns around New Zealand in the 1980s and 1990s, including banking, postal services and a cinema, the Regent Theatre.

Originally built by Kerridge Theatres NZ in 1940, the 600-seat Regent closed in 1977 and was purchased by the Pahiatua Repertory Society, who converted it into a 230-seat cinema in the upstairs area and a 220-seat live theatre facility in the downstairs area. At that time, the name was changed to Upstairs Downstairs Theatre. In 2001, an extensive restoration of the facade and foyer took place and the building's name reverted to the original name, the Regent. In 2015, the cinema converted from 35mm projection to a fully compliant DCI digital projection. Still owned by the Pahiatua Repertory Society, today it operates as two separate entities: The Pahiatua Upstairs Cinema Society (a registered charity) and the Pahiatua Repertory Society Incorporated (also a registered charity).

In 2021, Westpac Bank closed its Pahiatua branch, leaving the town with no full banking facilities. However, Kiwibank operates a banking agency at the NZ Post Shop at 91 Main Street, Pahiatua. The town is also served by a public swimming pool, an extensive sports complex, a supermarket, a Kohanga Reo, two kindergartens, an Early Childhood Centre, two primary schools, a secondary school,<ref>{{cite web|title=School Directory |url=http://www.teamup.co.nz/AllAges/SchoolSearch.aspx |publisher=Ministry of Education |access-date=1 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708140429/http://www.teamup.co.nz/AllAges/SchoolSearch.aspx |archive-date=8 July 2009 }}</ref> a volunteer fire brigade,<ref>{{cite web|title=Pahiatua Volunteer Fire Brigade |url=http://www3.fire.org.nz/cms.php?page=2792 |publisher=New Zealand Fire Service |date=15 August 2008 |access-date=1 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022162001/http://www3.fire.org.nz/cms.php?page=2792 |archive-date=22 October 2008 }}</ref> and a public library.<ref>{{cite news |title=Library cover charge hits membership numbers |first=Michelle |last=Duff |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/3161236/Library-cover-charge-hits-membership-numbers |work=Manawatu Standard |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Palmerston North |date=15 December 2009 |access-date=27 December 2009 }}</ref>

The town has both a hotel and a motel.

== See also ==
* [[List of former territorial authorities in New Zealand]]
* [[Pahiatua (New Zealand electorate)]]
* [[Pahiatua Railcar Society]]
* [[Pahiatua Railway Station]]
* [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Bagnall |first1=A. G. |title=Wairarapa: An Historical Excursion |publisher=Hedley's Bookshop for the Masterton Trust Lands Trust |location=Masterton}}
* {{Churchman & Hurst Railways of New Zealand}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.tararua.net/pahiatua.html tararua.net]
* [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/438327/Pahiatua Britannica Online Encyclopedia]
* [http://www.pahiatua.school.nz/ Pahiatua School]
* [https://nzhistory.govt.nz/memorial/pahiatua-war-memorial Pahiatua war memorial]

{{Tararua District}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Polish-New Zealand culture]]
[[Category:Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui]]
[[Category:Tararua District]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1881]]