Awapuni, Palmerston North

Awapuni is an area and council ward of Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand. It is located south west of Palmerston North Central. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked-up river" for Awapuni.[1]

Awapuni
Awapuni
Coordinates:
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWellington
Territorial authorityPalmerston North
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)

Te Hotu Manawa Marae and its Tūturu Pumau meeting house are located in Awapuni. It is a tribal meeting ground for the Rangitāne hapū of Ngāti Kapuārangi, Ngāti Rangiaranaki, Ngāti Rangitepaia, Ngāti Hineaute and Ngāti Tauira.[2][3]

Suburbs

Awapuni North

Awapuni North features Awapuni School and Kia Toa Sports Club rooms. It is also the location of Awapuni and Alexander Parks, and Rugby, Panako and Raleigh Reserves.

College Street divides Awapuni North from Awapuni South.

Awapuni North had a population of 3,405 in 2001.[4]

Awapuni South

Awapuni South contains Riverdale School and Awapuni School, Awatapu College and a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It features Riverdale, Waitoetoe and Paneiri Parks; the riverside Dittmer Drive Reserve includes a stopbank and walking track.

The area College Street divides Awapuni North from Awapuni South. The suburb is bounded by the Manawatu River. Dittmer Drive (which runs the bank of the river) has a stopbank, which is the first defence if there is a chance of flooding. There are many large houses along Dittmer Drive.

The area had a resident population of 3,309 in 2001.[5]

Awapuni West

Awapuni West is centred around Awapuni Racecourse. It features Rangitaane, Mangaone, Otira and Totaranui parks, and Pioneer Reserve.

Maxwells Line divides Awapuni West from Awapuni North and Awapuni South. Other features of Awapuni West include the local iwi Ngāti Rangitaane's health and well being centre, Whakapai Hauora and the Awapuni Landfill. Awapuni West is the site of the ancient Awapuni Lagoon, upon which the racecourse is now situated. The Mangaone Stream almost separates the urban from the rural lifestyle blocks.

The area had a population of 1,377 in 2001.[6]

Council ward

The Awapuni council includes the south-western part of Palmerston North City, incorporating Awapuni West, Awapuni North, Awapuni South, West End and part of Palmerston North Central make up the ward. The boundaries are usually understood to be Shiriffs Road and Longburn-Rongotea Road in the West; Fitzherbert Ave in the East; Pioneer Highway and Main Street West in the North and Manawatu River in the South.

The ward has three councillors: Adrian Broad, Peter Claridge and Pat Kelly.

Awapuni Racecourse

Awapuni is known nationally for having the Awapuni Racecourse,[7] the racing centre for thoroughbred horses (gallopers) in the Manawatu region. The Awapuni Racecourse holds a number of nationally significant races, including the:

  • Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes which is a Group One race (the highest level) for 2 year olds run over 1400m in late March or early April. This race is arguably New Zealand's best race for 2 year old horses.
  • Awapuni Gold Cup, an open class Group Two race over 2000m also raced in late March or early April, which has been won by some of New Zealand's greatest horses such as the Japan Cup winner Horlicks, and Balmerino.
  • Manawatu Classic, a Group Three event over 2000m for 3 year olds.
  • Manawatu Breeders Stakes, a Group Three Weight-for-age event over 2000m in April.
  • Merial Metric Mile, an open class Group Three event in mid September.
  • Eulogy Stakes, a Group Three event for 3 year old fillies over 1550min mid December.
  • Manawatu Challenge Stakes, a Group Two Weight-for-age event over 1400m, in late December.
  • Manawatu Cup, a Group Three open class event over 2100m in late December.

In the past there were a number of race tracks in the region, such as Feilding and Marton, which have been closed and some of those Club's key races are now held at the Awapuni Racecourse,[8] thereby preserving their history such as the:

  • Feilding Gold Cup, a Listed race (the 4th tier) for open class horses over 2100m in early November.
  • Marton Cup, a Listed race for open class horses over 2100m in early January.
  • Rangitikei Gold Cup, a Listed race for open class horses over 1550m in May.

The Awapuni Racecourse has a large function centre[9] and is a racehorse training centre used by a number of prominent horse trainers.

References
  1. "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  2. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  3. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  4. "Awapuni North". stats.govt.nz. Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2006-09-04.
  5. "Awapuni South". stats.govt.nz. Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2006-09-04.
  6. "Awapuni West". stats.govt.nz. Statistics New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2006-09-04.
  7. http://www.awapuniracing.co.nz/page/home.aspx
  8. http://www.awapuniracing.co.nz/the-clubs.aspx
  9. http://www.creativecatering.co.nz/wedding-event-party-catering.aspx
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