Havelock North, New Zealand
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Havelock North is a town in New Zealand, in the North Island's Hawke's Bay region. It ranked as a borough for many years until the 1989 reorganisation of local government saw it merged into the new Hastings District. It lies seven kilometres to the southeast of Hastings itself, and has a population of almost 10,000.
The town, known locally as "The village", stands on the Heretaunga Plains, and has a reputation for its orchards, vineyards, and educational facilities. One of New Zealand's most important wine regions centres on the town.
Nearby rises the prominent landmark Te Mata Peak, a 399 metre outcrop which local Maori see as the body of a giant, Rongokako.
Havelock North took its name from Sir Henry Havelock, a hero of the Indian Mutiny campaign, thus keeping with the local habit of naming towns after prominent men from Imperial India. Its founders originally envisaged a larger town for the site, but when the Wellington-Napier rail line went through the area in 1874 it avoided Havelock North, and Hastings became a more logical choice for settlement.
The town's industry centres around its fruit and wine production, and includes a horicultural research centre. Prominent local residents include noted Maori novelist Alan Duff.
Alfred Meebold (botanist, writer, and anthroposopher) died at Havelock North, in 6. January 1952.
Like a number of North Island towns, Havelock North has grown larger than its South Island namesake, Havelock, in the Marlborough Sounds.
External link
About Havelock North (http://www.winecountrylodge.com/abouthn.shtml)