The history of ruahine
RUAHINE HISTORY.
Ruahine was originally called Manga-wharariki in the 1860’s, then Wairaki and finally Ruahine. It was one of the natural clearings in the 1879 Otamakapua settlement blocks - a Government-led scheme to open up the hill country covered with bush in the northern Manawatu Manawatū. The land became available for sale in 1890. To begin with, workers with little or no capital came in to fell the bush, build roads and to take the opportunity to have a stake in the district. In 1894, 22 men balloted for sections at Ruahine and so the development of farms and community began.
Ruahine developed separately as a community to Rangiwahia and in 1900 their small business centre rivalled that of its neighbour. They had a store, stables, blacksmith and wheelwright, and to cap it off the Dairy Company was registered as the “Rangiwahia-Ruahine Dairy Company”. Ruahine village also had a tennis court, a hall and school.
A creamy was built in the late 1800’s supplying cream to the Rangiwahia butter factory, even though there was competition between the settlements on where the butter factory was to be situated. In 1910, a cheese factory was built, and this remained in use until 1918.
The Ruahine School was opened in 1903 with the election of a school committee. The year 1937 saw a great change in the school system within the Rangiwahia district. Better-surfaced roads and motor transport led to the closing of the perimeter schools. Ruahine School closed in 1944 and the children were sent to Rangiwahia school. So “progress” led to the smaller areas, like Ruahine, losing their individuality and becoming part of Rangiwahia centre. The Rangiwahia School unfortunately closed in 2014 following a shrinking school roll.
Ruahine was originally called Manga-wharariki in the 1860’s, then Wairaki and finally Ruahine. It was one of the natural clearings in the 1879 Otamakapua settlement blocks - a Government-led scheme to open up the hill country covered with bush in the northern Manawatu Manawatū. The land became available for sale in 1890. To begin with, workers with little or no capital came in to fell the bush, build roads and to take the opportunity to have a stake in the district. In 1894, 22 men balloted for sections at Ruahine and so the development of farms and community began.
Ruahine developed separately as a community to Rangiwahia and in 1900 their small business centre rivalled that of its neighbour. They had a store, stables, blacksmith and wheelwright, and to cap it off the Dairy Company was registered as the “Rangiwahia-Ruahine Dairy Company”. Ruahine village also had a tennis court, a hall and school.
A creamy was built in the late 1800’s supplying cream to the Rangiwahia butter factory, even though there was competition between the settlements on where the butter factory was to be situated. In 1910, a cheese factory was built, and this remained in use until 1918.
The Ruahine School was opened in 1903 with the election of a school committee. The year 1937 saw a great change in the school system within the Rangiwahia district. Better-surfaced roads and motor transport led to the closing of the perimeter schools. Ruahine School closed in 1944 and the children were sent to Rangiwahia school. So “progress” led to the smaller areas, like Ruahine, losing their individuality and becoming part of Rangiwahia centre. The Rangiwahia School unfortunately closed in 2014 following a shrinking school roll.
