Colyton

Introduction

On a fine spring day there is no finer place to be in Manawatu than Colyton.  The views across rolling pastureland toward the Ruahine mountain range are postcard perfect scenes of rural New Zealand.  The small township is like many in the Manawatu, once a busy service centre but now a small and friendly community that enjoy the countryside living.

History

The first European settlers came to Colyton as part of the Manchester Block immigration scheme (click here to read about the Manchester Block). The Colyton area was covered with some of the most magnificent totara forest in the area, and in the first years of European settlement many sawmills were established here, providing thousands of railways sleepers for the railways then being built throughout the North Island.

 

 

The name Colyton was chosen at a meeting of residents, one of whom came from Devon and wanted to commemorate his home village. Colyton in Manawatu  once boasted a large hotel, a store, a bakery  and a blacksmith shop.  Like many other small settlements in New Zealand, the arrival of the motor car spelt the end of Colyton’s retail centre.

Governing Body

Manawatu District Council.  Ph 06 323 0000

www.colyton.org.nz
Related Pages

The Region