Levin, New Zealand


Levin is the largest town and seat of the Horowhenua District, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located east of Lake Horowhenua, around 95 km north of Wellington and 50 km southwest of Palmerston North.
The town has a population of making it the 30th largest urban area in New Zealand, and third largest in Manawatū-Whanganui behind Palmerston North and Whanganui.
Levin is a service centre for the surrounding rural area, and a centre for light manufacturing.
To the west of the main town lies Lake Horowhenua, which covers some 3.9 sq/km. It is currently undergoing regeneration.

Population

According to figures, the estimated resident population was. Over 20% of inhabitants were listed as over the age of 65, a considerably higher percentage than the national average. The town
celebrated its centenary in 2006 and the bowls club celebrated theirs in 2007.

History and culture

The town was named after William Hort Levin, a director of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company.
The name is a variation of the Jewish clan Levi. It is a shibboleth – unlike the usual pronunciation of the surname, stress is placed on the second syllable of the word. However his great grandson, Peter Levin, claims his forebear would have pronounced his surname as in Levene and this pronunciation was in common use for many years and always used by the family.
Kawiu Marae and Te Huia o Raukura meeting house, located just north of the Levin township, are a meeting place for Muaūpoko.
In October 2019, thirty people had to evacuate a public pool after a chemical incident at the local aquatic centre.

Transport

Levin lies on State Highway 1, which forms the town's main street, Oxford Street. State Highway 57 forms the eastern boundary of the town, and meets State Highway 1 between Levin and the Ohau River, Wellington.
Levin is on the North Island Main Trunk with a station used by the Capital Connection long distance commuter train between Wellington and Palmerston North. It is also served by 8 InterCity buses a day each way.
Buses run for shoppers to Waikanae on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on Fridays to Shannon, Foxton Beach, Foxton and Waitarere Beach. A commuter bus runs via Foxton to Palmerston North.

Schools

There are nine schools in the Levin urban area: