Halcombe

Pre-European history The area was originally settled by hapū linked to Ngāti Raukawa. An 1880 plan shows that it was intended to be much larger than the present village. Early European settlers included British and German families, followed by Danish settlers. Immigrants were given free passage and an acre of land in the Manchester Block, to provide labour for bush-felling and road construction, with larger blocks of land being made available from 1878. A Methodist church opened in 1876, followed by a Lutheran church in 1878. By 1897 the town's saw-milling industry was struggling due to a shortage of logs, but the community was wealthy due to well-performing farms. The town's railway station had a combined post and telegraph office and bank, and Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic and Lutheran Churches. 20th century Halcombe was intended to be the main centre of Manawatu, but an active riverbed on the Rangitikei River stopped further development. Land clearance and timer-milling gave way to farming, and the neighbouring towns of Feilding, Marton and Palmerston North took over as the main local centres. The train station, which contained a post office and bar, burned down in 1962. The area also has three Ngāti Raukawa marae: • Te Hiiri o Mahuta Marae and meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Matakore and Ngāti Rangatahi. • Poupatatē Marae and meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Pikiahuwaewae. • Taumata o Te Rā Marae and Manomano meeting house are affiliated with Ngāti Manomano. ==Demographics==

Halcombe is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement. It covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. It is part of the larger Tokorangi statistical area. Halcombe had a population of 624 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 147 people (30.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 225 people (56.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 306 males, 315 females, and 3 people of other genders in 225 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 38.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 147 people (23.6%) aged under 15 years, 84 (13.5%) aged 15 to 29, 303 (48.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 90 (14.4%) aged 65 or older. Tokorangi statistical area Tokorangi statistical area, which also covers part of Cheltenham, covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Tokorangi had a population of 2,472 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 411 people (19.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 609 people (32.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,248 males, 1,218 females, and 6 people of other genders in 861 dwellings. 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 41.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 522 people (21.1%) aged under 15 years, 378 (15.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,149 (46.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 423 (17.1%) aged 65 or older. ==Education==

Halcombe Primary School Halcombe Primary School is a co-educational state primary school, with a roll of as of The school was established in 1880 and quickly had to be expanded. Mt Biggs Primary School Mount Biggs School, another co-educational state primary school, is located south of Halcombe. It has a roll of . It opened in 1921. Former schools Stanway School was established near Halcombe in 1882, and Tokorangi and Kakariki Schools were established nearby later in the 1880s. All three schools were closed by the early 20th century. ==Notable people==

• Kerri Gowler, New Zealand International rower • Jackie Gowler, New Zealand Junior rower ==References==