Levin, New Zealand
Levin (/ləˈvɪn/; Māori: Taitoko) is the largest town and seat of the Horowhenua District, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located east of Lake Horowhenua, around 95 km north of Wellington and 50 km southwest of Palmerston North.
Levin Taitoko (Māori) | |
|---|---|
Intersection of Queen and Oxford Streets | |
| Coordinates: 40°37′19″S 175°17′12″E / 40.62194°S 175.28667°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Manawatū-Whanganui |
| Territorial authority | Horowhenua District |
| Wards |
|
| Named for | William Hort Levin |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Horowhenua District Council |
| • Regional council | Horizons Regional Council |
| • Horowhenua Mayor | Bernie Wanden |
| • Ōtaki MP | Tim Costley |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer |
| Area | |
| • Urban | 22.91 km2 (8.85 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023)[2] | |
| • Urban | 19,800 |
| • Urban density | 860/km2 (2,200/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 5510 |
| Area code | 06 |
The town has a population of 19,800 (June 2023),[2] making it the 30th largest urban area in New Zealand, and third largest in Manawatū-Whanganui behind Palmerston North and Whanganui.
Levin is a service centre for the surrounding rural area, and a centre for light manufacturing.
To the west of the main town lies Lake Horowhenua, which covers some 3.9 sq/km. It is currently undergoing regeneration.
History and culture edit
19th century edit
The area now occupied by Levin was connected to both Wellington and Palmerston North by railway in 1886. The area was surveyed in 1888, and European settlement of began following the sale of suburban and rural sections, which commenced on 19 March 1889.
The town was named after William Hort Levin, a director of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company.[3]
The name is a variation of the Jewish clan name Levi. Unlike the usual pronunciation of the surname, stress is placed on the second syllable of the word. However Levin's great-grandson, Peter Levin, claims his forebear would have pronounced his surname as Levene, and that this pronunciation was in common use for many years and is always used by the family.[4]
20th century edit
Levin was made a borough in 1906.
21st century edit
The town celebrated its centenary in 2006 and the bowls club celebrated its in 2007.
Marae edit
Kawiu Marae and Te Huia o Raukura meeting house, located just north of the town, are a meeting place for Muaūpoko.[5][6]
In October 2020, the Government committed $945,445 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Kawiu Marae and nearby Kohuturoa Marae, creating 50 jobs.[7]
Demographics edit
Levin is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a medium urban area and covers 22.91 km2 (8.85 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 19,800 as of June 2023, with a population density of 864 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 15,972 | — |
| 2013 | 16,257 | +0.25% |
| 2018 | 17,679 | +1.69% |
| Source: [8] | ||
Before the 2023 census, Levin had a smaller boundary, covering 22.43 km2 (8.66 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Levin had a population of 17,679 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,422 people (8.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,707 people (10.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 7,062 households, comprising 8,346 males and 9,324 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female, with 3,336 people (18.9%) aged under 15 years, 2,988 (16.9%) aged 15 to 29, 6,651 (37.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 4,698 (26.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 77.0% European/Pākehā, 25.4% Māori, 8.4% Pasifika, 5.2% Asian, and 1.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 16.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.6% had no religion, 39.4% were Christian, 1.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 1,293 (9.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 4,332 (30.2%) people had no formal qualifications. 897 people (6.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 5,277 (36.8%) people were employed full-time, 1,719 (12.0%) were part-time, and 768 (5.4%) were unemployed.[8]
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Density (per km2) | Households | Median age | Median income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donnelly Park | 1.90 | 1,191 | 627 | 453 | 47.5 years | $22,300[9] |
| Kawiu South | 1.02 | 2,409 | 2,362 | 960 | 44.5 years | $24,700[10] |
| Makomako | 0.86 | 1,413 | 1,643 | 567 | 42.7 years | $20,600[11] |
| Kawiu North | 1.76 | 1,770 | 1,006 | 681 | 47.5 years | $27,900[12] |
| Levin Central | 1.05 | 1,047 | 997 | 537 | 53.5 years | $21,500[13] |
| Tararua | 10.75 | 1,152 | 107 | 447 | 47.3 years | $24,200[14] |
| Queenwood (Horowhenua District) | 0.83 | 2,076 | 2,501 | 921 | 47.9 years | $21,300[15] |
| Playford Park | 0.85 | 1,815 | 2,135 | 762 | 44.8 years | $21,800[16] |
| Fairfield (Horowhenua District) | 1.74 | 1,473 | 847 | 561 | 50.3 years | $23,800[17] |
| Taitoko | 0.92 | 1,911 | 2,077 | 651 | 35.3 years | $20,500[18] |
| Waiopehu | 0.76 | 1,422 | 1,871 | 522 | 41.5 years | $22,700[19] |
| New Zealand | 37.4 years | $31,800 |
Economy edit
Retail edit
Levin Mall is a mall covering 791 m2, with 14 retailers including a Farmers department store.[20]
Transport edit
Levin lies on State Highway 1, which forms the town's main street, Oxford Street. State Highway 57 forms the eastern boundary of the town, and meets State Highway 1 between Levin and the Ohau River, Wellington.
Levin is on the North Island Main Trunk with a station used by the Capital Connection long distance commuter train between Wellington and Palmerston North.[21] It is also served by 8 InterCity buses a day each way.[22]
Buses run for shoppers to Waikanae on Tuesdays and Thursdays[23] and on Fridays to Shannon, Foxton Beach, Foxton and Waitarere Beach.[24][dead link] A commuter bus runs via Foxton to Palmerston North.[23]
Schools edit
There are nine schools in the Levin urban area:[25]
- Fairfield School is a state full primary (Year 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 343.
- Horowhenua College is a state secondary (Year 9–13) school. It opened in 1940 and has a roll of approximately 835.
- 'Levin East School is a state contributing primary (Year 1–6) school with a roll of approximately 331.
- Levin Intermediate is a state intermediate (Year 7–8) school with a roll of approximately 307.
- Levin North School is a state contributing primary (Year 1–6) school with a roll of approximately 192.
- Levin School is a state contributing primary (Year 1–6) school with a roll of approximately 217.
- St Joseph's School is a state-integrated Catholic full primary (Year 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 152.
- Taitoko School is a state full primary (Year 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 205.
- Waiopehu College is a state secondary (Year 9–13) school. It opened in 1973 and has a roll of approximately 617.
Notable people edit
- Jack Afamasaga – rugby league player
- Sir Paul Beresford – British politician
- Suzy Clarkson – newsreader
- Kay Cohen – fashion designer
- Joy Cowley – novelist
- Jaxon Evans – racing driver
- Cathryn Finlayson – hockey player
- Rebecca Gibney – actress
- Nathan Guy – politician
- Nicky Hager – author
- Darren Hughes – politician
- Dean Kent – Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer
- Doug Kidd – politician
- David Lomax – rugby league player
- Johnny Lomax – rugby league player
- Matthew Saunoa – New Zealand Idol winner 2006
- George Silk – photographer, LIFE magazine
- Carlos Spencer – rugby union player
- Richard Sylvan – philosopher and logician
- James Tamou – rugby league player
- Codie Taylor – rugby union player
- Roger Twose – cricketer
- Sonny Whakarau – rugby league player
References edit
- ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ Levin in the 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
- ^ Tuckey, Karoline. "Councillor wants to change the name of Levin, the NZ town that no-one pronounces correctly". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Donnelly Park (234700), Kawiu South (234900), Makomako (235000), Kawiu North (235100), Levin Central (235200), Tararua (235300), Queenwood (Horowhenua District) (235500), Playford Park (235600), Fairfield (Horowhenua District) (235700), Taitoko (235800) and Waiopehu (235900).
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Donnelly Park
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Kawiu South
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Makomako
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Kawiu North
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Levin Central
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Tararua
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Queenwood (Horowhenua District)
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Playford Park
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Fairfield (Horowhenua District)
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Taitoko
- ^ 2018 Census place summary: Waiopehu
- ^ "Levin Mall (191–197 Oxford Street)". thompsonpropertygroup.co.nz. Thompson Property Group.
- ^ "Capital Connection". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ "Search Results". www.intercity.co.nz. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Did you know Horizons Regional Council provides three public bus services in the Horowhenua District?" (PDF). 15 July 2018.
- ^ "Day Out in Town Bus timetable change". Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.