Feilding, New Zealand

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The town is a service town for the surrounding farming district. The Manawatu Plains, on which the town is sited, are very fertile land, and as such it is a prosperous agricultural area. Being located on the floodplain of a major river has its problems, however, and in February 2004 the town suffered extensive flooding, with approximately 150 homes rendered uninhabitable.

Feilding has won the annual NZ's Most Beautiful Town award 14 times. One feature of the town is that there are no traffic lights and no parking meters.

The town is currently undergoing renovations in all areas of the main centre, lately Manchester Street. The square has been completed, with funding from both the council and public. Bricks and tiles were available for public to purchase as part of their donation. These display their name, and with some a message to be left for the town to read.

Population

As of the 2006 census, the usually resident population of Feilding was 12,924, an increase of 141 since 2001. The town is the seat of the Manawatu District Council.

History

The town was named after Colonel William Feilding, a director of the Emigrants and Colonists Aid Corporation Ltd. who negotiated the purchase of a 100,000 acre (400 km²) block of land from the Wellington provincial government in 1871. The first settlers arrived from Great Britain on 22 January 1874.

Features

One of New Zealand's main motor racing circuits, Manfeild, is located at the south edge of the town and an active light aircraft airfield at the Eastern edge. The depot of the Feilding and District Steam Rail Society is located in the town and it runs railway excursions from this base. Feilding has the largest stock saleyards in the southern hemisphere right in the central business area.

chools in Feilding

Secondary
* Feilding High School

Primary and intermediate
* [http://www.feildingintermediate.school.nz Feilding Intermediate School]
* [http://feildingintermediate.knowledge.net.nz Feilding Intermediate Schools KnowledgeNet]
* [http://www.lyttonstreet.school.nz Lytton Street School]
* [http://www.manchesterstreet.school.nz Manchester Street School]
* [http://www.northstreet.school.nz North Street School]
* [http://www.stjosephsfeilding.school.nz St Joseph's School]

Notable personalities

Famous people from Feilding include:
* Murray Ball (the kiwiana cartoonist who drew "Footrot Flats")
* Tom Scott; also a New Zealand cartoonist; was born here.
* Evermore popular musical group.
* W. H. Oliver was born in Feilding.

External links

* [http://www.feilding.co.nz Feilding promotional website]
* [http://www.feilding.net.nz Feilding promotional website with live images]
* [http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/NR/exeres/1D78DBC0-2C58-4A22-8180-7E96BB2732E1.htm "Colonel Henry Feilding" on 1981 20c stamp]