Tourism and Holidays

Tourism and holiday accommodation are a major part of the District and Foxton’s economy. Surrounded to the North, East and South by agricultural and pastoral farming. Foxton also supports a number of commercial and service industries.

Businesses and services

Foxton is a thriving township with local and national branded businesses, and is home to a number of unique tourist attractions. Foxton is the home of NZ’s horse-drawn tram plus an audio visual, sound and movie museum; tram and trolley bus museum; flax stripper museum; doll museum; dutch windmill and more. Foxton town is the main shopping and service area for the community.

Foxton Beach

Foxton Beach is a popular holiday area. The Manawatu River Mouth, estuary and ocean support sea and river fishing, whitebaiting, surfing, sailing and swimming. You will also see jet skis, power boats and kayaks. The Foxton Beach residential area has seen recent growth and development with new housing and substantial upgrading of earlier homes. The Manawatu river estuary is a world reknown conservation area and is a popular spot for those watching the migratory bird species who inhabit the flats.

• School’s for the smallest toddler to the high school student.
• Sport curriculum’s to meet everyone’s sporting interests.
• Club’s and organizations for all types of people to join with others for common interests.
• Outstanding medical treatment and facilities for aging residents.
• Local events and festivals that attract many outside visitors.
• A community swimming pool for everyone.

If you have a community or service in Foxton or the surrounding district, contact us today about getting your Community service listed in the Foxton Community directory.

Foxton, “The birthplace of the Manawatu”, originally known as Te Awahou, was settled in 1848 by the first European settlers. Presbyterian missionary Rev. James Duncan and his family were the first recorded.

In 1855 an earthquake caused upriver residents to disperse. Thomas U Cook and family were among those who decided to settle at Te Awahou. Cook, a trader built the first commercial premise in Foxton.

In 1866 the Government sold sections in the township of Foxton. Over the next ten years a wharf was established in what is now known as “the loop” and a railway to the new town of Palmerston North was built. In this same period James Pownall established the first flaxmill in the town. The rail line survived until 1973.

The flax industry (which produced rope fibre) provided a major form of employment in and around Foxton and survived until 1973. Its survival was due to the establishment of Woolpack and Textiles Co. mill in 1933, producing woolpacks from the local trade. In the 1940′s carpet manufacture was added to the plants production line. By the 1960′s the cost of production had risen and despite efforts to reduce costs the plant was taken over by a ‘Wool’ carpet manufacturer.

Settlement at Foxton Beach was not so well planned. A hotel and stagecoach post were situated at the mouth of river, as was a pilot to help shipping navigate the difficult bar. Early in the 20th century settlers in the surrounding area were attracted to Manawatu Heads (Foxton Beach) as a holiday spot and weekend bachs began to appear.

The lower Manawatu was surrounded by swamp and as development occurred was susceptible to flooding. Stop-banks were installed and spillways constructed to control the flooding. One of these, “The Cut”, on the seaward side of the Whirokino Bridge was swamped in construction by a ‘Flash Flood’ diverting the River away from and bypassing Foxton Town. Today all that remains of the original river is ‘The Loop’ serving as yet another spill-way, and although tidal, has very little flow.

Thanks to Tony Hunt of Foxton for historical information included in our description. Further information can be found on the site of our Museum of Foxton History.

The present

Foxton Town remains the principal shopping and service area for the immediate district, with about 120 shops and services operating. Generally Foxton operates 6 days per week with most shops and businesses closing on Sunday.

Industries include dairy farming, poultry production and processing. Service Industries supporting these and the community are wide ranging. Alongside these are the Foxton Racing Club and the horse training industry.

The town supports a small air-field providing entertainment in the sky from the small planes, microlights etc.who use the facility. Sport and recreation are catered for by a diverse range of activities. Foxton has three Primary Schools and a Secondary College, while a further Pimary School can be found at Foxton Beach.

Foxton Beach has continued to be a popular ‘Holiday Resort’ with boat launching facilities in the river and swimming, surfing etc. taking place on the beach. Today the property market has seen the upgrading of earlier bachs and the erection of permanent homes. Parks and playgrounds have been developed.

A wide range of accommodation is available for the domestic and overseas visitors, in both Foxton and Foxton Beach.

A range of tourist attractions operate in and near Foxton.

The future

Modern development has changed the way we think. The area has ‘come of age’. Tourism and service will see us continuing to grow. Being only 30 minutes from the city of Palmerston North, will see a larger number of commuters living here. Lifestyle and weather are our strongest assets.