Rongotea

Like most of the small settlements around the Manawatu, Rongotea is surrounded by dairy farms and the township serves as the service centre.

Among the facilities are local businesses, retailers and a few eateries.

The township is served by Rongotea School which serves students years 1-8. There are no secondary schools in Rongotea, so secondary students travel to Palmerston North by bus to get to school. Glen Oroua school is also nearby.

Unusual for a township of its size, Rongotea currently has four churches , during the 1900s there was 7 churches .

Te Kawau Memorial Recreational Centre is here and is home to the famous Te Kawau Rugby Union Club.

The population in the 2013 New Zealand census was 594 people.[1]

In the late 1860s, the Government put the Carnarvon Block up for sale, along with the neighbouring Sandon Block.[2] Two businessmen from Otago, the Hon Robert Campbell and John Douglas, bought the 21,400 acre “Oroua Downs Estate” in the Carnarvon Block.

The land, having been declared a special settlement area was by contract compelled to settlement of at least 70 families. The result was Campbelltown, based on a central square (named Douglas).[3] Later, due to many other settlements in New Zealand called Campbelltown, the township's name was changed to Rongotea. The Manawatu County Council chose this name as it meant "Peaceful place", although local tangata whenua Ngāti Rangitāne claim the name recalls a local respected chief.

Rongotea was the centre of a religious revival in the late 1890s and many churches were built.

Every year Rongotea holds their own community Fireworks display. Over the years this show has become so popular people from Palmerston North and other townships close by come out to enjoy the show. Dates can vary but will happen no earlier than October but no later than December 25

The community also holds an annual Santa Parade every Christmas.

Rongotea School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[4] with a roll of 117 as of March 2020.[5]

Kopane School, another co-educational state primary school,[6] is located east of the main township.[7] with a roll of 50.[8]