The history and identity of the Horowhenua coastal town of Foxton is intrinsically linked to the Manawatu River. It was once a bustling port town, with ships loaded with flax, timber and other goods travelling down the river and out to markets in Wellington and beyond. While coastal shipping had largely ceased by the early 20th century, the wharf and the river that it served, was an integral part of the town’s identity and economy. (more…)
March 2012
Monthly Archive
March 26, 2012
The town that lost its river: the sad story of Piriharakeke
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: Environmental History, Manawatu River, Horowhenua, Manawatu, Foxton, Piriharakeke, Whirokino Cut, Foxton Wharf, Ngati Raukawa, SORT |[2] Comments
March 17, 2012
The little engine that couldn’t: the Miranui tramway
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: Environmental History, flax, Horowhenua, Makerua Swamp, Manawatu, Miranui Flaxmill, Shannon, swamp, tramway |Leave a Comment
The Miranui flaxmill, located in the Makerua swamp just north of the Horowhenua town of Shannon, was once New Zealand’s largest flaxmill. The mill operated from 1907 to 1933, and had 19 mills, operating 42 flax-stripping machines and employing more than 700 workers during the height of the flax industry in 1916-17. (more…)
