Tokomaru, New Zealand

Tokomaru is a small town in the district of Horowhenua, in the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It is located 18 kilometres southwest of Palmerston North, and a similar distance northeast of Shannon.

Population

At the 2013 census, Tokomaru had a population of 552, an increase of 36 people (7%) since the 2006 census. There were 201 occupied dwellings and 15 unoccupied dwellings.^[1]

City Facilities and Attractions

Tokomaru is best known for the Tokomaru Steam Engine Museum, a collection of antique steam engine machinery, much of it still operational and run on certain days. Highlights include a 1904 Fowler traction engine, an 1897 Aveling & Porter portable engine and a huge 335 hp Filer & Stowell stationary engine-compressor ex the Imlay Freezing Works, Wanganui.

Tokomaru School provides both the Primary and Intermediate Level schooling for the area.^[2] The public library is on the school grounds.^[3]

Tokomaru has two public reserves. The Tokomaru Domain, a sports field and hall; and Horseshoe Bend reserve.^[4]

The town has a locally run combined dairy/post office.

On the outskirts of Tokomaru is two factories. One, Stevensons Construction, is still operational and employs a large number of Tokomaru residents. The other is a former dairy factory that is in the process of being renovated.^[5]

Tokomaru Domain is also home to A Bowmens Gathering, a re-enactment group whose focus is that of Archery, predominantly the longbow. Shooting at the Tokomaru Domain around four times a year, the group is composed of archers and re-enactors from all over the North Island of New Zealand from Auckland to Wellington

References

External links

• Tokomaru Steam Museum website
• A page on the Tokomaru Steam Museum
• Another page on the Tokomaru Steam Museum

Coordinates: 40°28′19″S 175°30′32″E / 40.472°S 175.509°E / -40.472; 175.509