Norsewood#Education

The Norsewood area, as defined by Statistics New Zealand, covers 397.35 km², including the township and the surrounding rural hinterland.

The source of the Manawatū River is located behind the settlement, at the end of Manawatu River Road, forming the natural boundary for the region and Hawke's Bay to the north.

The village consists of two parts. Upper Norsewood features the town's main road, Coronation Street, a gift shop, a visitor's centre and a Pioneer Museum housed in an 1888 building. Lower Norsewood, located 1 km to the south, features Hovding Street and Norsewear, a company which provides woolen garments in Norwegian designs.Harper, Laura and Tony Mudd (2002). The Rough Guide to New Zealand. Rough Guides. Page 479. {{ISBN|9781858288963}}.

Upper and Lower Norsewood lie on either side of State Highway 2.{{cite news |last1=Forrester |first1=Georgia |title=Welcome to Town: The Quaint Nature of Norsewood |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/92249837/welcome-to-town-the-quirky-quaint-nature-of-norsewood |agency=Manawatū Guardian |publisher=stuff.co.nz |date=8 November 2017}}

Norsewood was founded by mainly Norwegian settlers in 1872 as a loggers’ settlement and retains a Scandinavian tenor.{{cite web |url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Europe/Denmark.php|title=Kingdom of Denmark Bilateral Relations |accessdate=2009-12-07 |publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade }} The village was carved out of the forest, and was subsequently destroyed in a fire in 1888.{{cite web |url=http://www.jasons.co.nz/norsewood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522051124/http://www.jasons.co.nz/norsewood |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 May 2011 |title = Norsewood Travel Guide |publisher=Jasons Travel Media}}

The government of New Zealand requested Norwegian immigrants and made an agreement with Winge & Co. in Christiania, which would allow for 3,000 emigrants to New Zealand. In the years 1870–76, nearly 1,000 Norwegians moved to the Norsewood area.Lund, Fredrik Larsen (2017). Norske utposter. Vega forlag. Pages 204 and 214. {{ISBN|978-82-8211-537-7}}.

The settlement continues to celebrate its Scandinavian culture. A Scandinavian festival is held every year. Traditional celebrations of Norway's Constitution Day are held on the Sunday closest to 17 May.{{cite news |last1=McKay |first1=Christine |title=Dannevirke: Norwegian heritage celebrated |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503456&objectid=11258335 |agency=Hawke's Bay Today |publisher=stuff.co.nz |date=20 May 2014}}

The main square by Coronation Street welcomes visitors to "Little Norway", and a Norwegian flag flies from the street's tourist office.Lund, Fredrik Larsen (2017). Norske utposter. Vega forlag. Pages 205 and 209. {{ISBN|978-82-8211-537-7}}. The Bindalsfaering, a fishing boat gifted by the Norwegian Government, is displayed in a glassed boat-house in Upper Norsewood, near a replica of a Norwegian stave church.

Norsewood is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, which covers {{Convert|0.38|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=12 May 2023|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Norsewood|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Norsewood|y}}|R}}/0.38|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|138|2013|111|2018|135|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Norsewood settlement|source=}}

File:Norsewood022.JPG

Norsewood had a population of 135 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (21.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 3 people (−2.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 75 males and 57 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.32 males per female. The median age was 41.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 27 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 24 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 63 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (15.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.7% European/{{lang|mi|Pākehā}}, 26.7% Māori, 2.2% Pasifika, and 2.2% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.6% had no religion, 28.9% were Christian, and 4.4% had Māori religious beliefs.

Of those at least 15 years old, 6 (5.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 36 (33.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 3 people (2.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 42 (38.9%) people were employed full-time, 21 (19.4%) were part-time, and 6 (5.6%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|7018803}}

Norsewood statistical area, which also includes Ormondville, covers {{Convert|397.44|km2||abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Norsewood|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Norsewood|y}}|R}}/397.44|1}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|1,545|2013|1,548|2018|1,611|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population of the statistical area|source=}}

The statistical area had a population of 1,611 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 63 people (4.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 66 people (4.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 615 households, comprising 843 males and 768 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 44.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 342 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 243 (15.1%) aged 15 to 29, 768 (47.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 261 (16.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.9% European/{{lang|mi|Pākehā}}, 19.9% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 0.9% Asian, and 0.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 7.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.6% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 2.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 150 (11.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 315 (24.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 150 people (11.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 645 (50.8%) people were employed full-time, 228 (18.0%) were part-time, and 39 (3.1%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|Norsewood (232800)|norsewood|Norsewood}}

File:Good luck Trolls of Norsewood - panoramio.jpg

In 2018, 14.1% of the workforce worked in manufacturing, 3.4% worked in construction, 0.0% worked in retail and wholesale, 2.4% worked in hospitality, 2.8% worked in transport, 6.6% worked in education, and 6.9% worked in healthcare.

Crown Hotel is a local pub and meeting place.

As of 2018, among those who commute to work, 63.1% drove a car, 1.4% rode in a car, 0.3% use a bike, and 0.3% walk or run. No one commuted by public transport.

Norsewood and Districts School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,{{cite web |title=Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=2622 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2622|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.{{cite web |title=Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=2622 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}}

The town appears in the television series The Almighty Johnsons, where some of its descendants are the reincarnations of Norse gods.{{cite news|title=Norsewood: Footsteps of the gods|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=10893594|work=Bay of Plenty Times|accessdate=17 August 2013|date=30 June 2013}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commonscat|Norsewood}}

• [http://norsewood.nz/ NEW Norsewood Official Website]
• [http://www.norsewoodcemetery.co.nz Norsewood Cemetery]

{{Tararua District}}

Category:New Zealand–Norway relations

Category:Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui

Category:Tararua District

Category:Norwegian diaspora in New Zealand