Carterton, New Zealand

{{Short description|Town and District in Wellington Region, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Carterton | native_name = Taratahi {{small|([[Māori language|Māori]])}} | nickname = | settlement_type = [[Urban areas of New Zealand|Minor urban area]] | total_type = Territorial | motto = Daffodil capital | image_skyline = Carterton, New Zealand.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Central Carterton | image_seal = File:Carterton DC common seal.png | coordinates = {{coord|41|01|30|S|175|31|39|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}} | image_map = Carterton in the North Island.svg | mapsize = | map_caption = Carterton district within the [[North Island]]  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Wellington Region]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Carterton District]] | seat_type = [[New Zealand electorates|Electorates]] | seat = {{ubl|[[Wairarapa (electorate)|Wairarapa]]|[[Ikaroa-Rāwhiti]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])}} | government_footnotes = | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = [[Carterton District Council]] | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = [[Greater Wellington Regional Council]] | leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Carterton]] | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Carterton District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Wairarapa (electorate)|Wairarapa MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Wairarapa MP|y}} | leader_title4 = [[Ikaroa-Rāwhiti|Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP]] | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP|y}} | established_title = Town founded | established_date = 1857 | established_title1 = | established_date1 = | named_for = [[Charles Carter (New Zealand politician)|Charles Carter]] | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 1179.91 | area_urban_km2 = 5.30 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 77 | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_note = | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Carterton district|y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | population_urban = {{NZ population data 2018|Carterton|y}} | population_density_urban_km2 = auto | timezone = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]] | utc_offset = +12 | timezone_DST = NZDT | utc_offset_DST = +13 | postal_code_type = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]] | postal_code = 5713 | area_code = 06 | website = [http://cdc.govt.nz/ www.cdc.govt.nz District Council] }}

'''Carterton''' ({{langx|mi|Taratahi}}) is a small town in the [[Wellington Region]] of New Zealand and the seat of the '''Carterton District''' (a territorial authority or local government district). It lies in a farming area of the [[Wairarapa]] in New Zealand's [[North Island]]. It is located {{cvt|14|km}} southwest of [[Masterton]] and {{cvt|80|km}} northeast of [[Wellington]]. The town has a population of {{NZ population data 2018|Carterton|y|y||(}}), out of a total district population of {{NZ population data 2018|Carterton district|y}}.<ref name="NZ_population_data_2018" />

Carterton was founded in 1857. Originally known as ''Three Mile Bush'', it served as housing for workers building the road between Wellington and Masterton. It was later renamed after [[Charles Carter (New Zealand politician)|Charles Carter]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Sutherland |first=G. H |title=Carter, Charles Rooking |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1c8/carter-charles-rooking |work=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography |publisher=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> who was in charge of the building of the Black Bridge over the [[Waiohine River]] south of the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jasons.co.nz/carterton |title=Carterton Travel Guide |publisher=[[Jasons Travel Media]] |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302152445/http://www.jasons.co.nz/carterton |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The town describes itself as New Zealand's [[daffodil]] capital, holding a Daffodil Festival each year on the second Sunday in September, with the main event taking place at Middle Run along Gladstone Road.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cdc.govt.nz/daffodil-festival/ |title=Daffodil Festival |publisher=Carterton District Council |access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref>

==History== {{See also|List of historic places in Carterton District}} Carterton was the first place in the world to elect a transgender mayor, [[Georgina Beyer]]. Beyer went on to set another world's first record, becoming the MP for the [[Wairarapa (New Zealand electorate)|Wairarapa]] electorate in 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11922390 |title=How Georgina Beyer changed the face of Wairarapa electorate |work=Hawke's Bay Today |date=16 September 2017}}</ref>

On 7 January 2012, [[2012 Carterton hot air balloon crash|a hot air balloon crashed]] just north of the town, killing eleven people and making headlines around the world. The balloon came into contact with a high-voltage power line supplying the town, resulting in the balloon catching fire and the town losing power briefly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6224922/Hot-air-balloon-crash-near-Carterton-kills-11 |title=Hot air balloon crash near Carterton kills 11 |date=8 January 2012 |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> In 1956, along with Masterton, Carterton became the joint first town in New Zealand to use the [[111 (emergency telephone number)|111 Emergency Number]].

==Demographics== ===Carterton=== Carterton covers {{Convert|5.30|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Urban Rural 2023 (generalised)|access-date=5 April 2026}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Carterton|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Carterton|y}}|R}}/5.30|0}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|4,137|2013|4,740|2018|5,343|2023|5,859|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Carterton North (256900) and Carterton South (257100)}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>}} Carterton had a population of 5,859 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 516 people (9.7%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 1,119 people (23.6%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 2,787 males, 3,036 females, and 33 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 2,505 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1406.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 3.4% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 50.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 951 people (16.2%) aged under 15 years, 744 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 2,448 (41.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,713 (29.2%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 89.6% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 16.0% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 2.9% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 3.8% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori by 2.7%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 6.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>

Religious affiliations were 30.6% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.7% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.4% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 1.0% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.5% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]], 0.2% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]], and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 57.9%, and 7.3% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023 UA"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 960 (19.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,637 (53.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,308 (26.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 432 people (8.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 2,103 (42.8%) full-time, 669 (13.6%) part-time, and 90 (1.8%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023 UA">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1406.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Carterton (1406)}}</ref>

===Carterton District=== Carterton District covers {{Convert|1179.91|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area"/> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Carterton district|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Carterton district|y}}|R}}/1179.91|1}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|7,101|2013|8,235|2018|9,198|2023|10,107|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Carterton District|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/><ref name="Census 2023"/>}} Carterton District had a population of 10,107 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 909 people (9.9%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 1,872 people (22.7%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 4,947 males, 5,118 females, and 45 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 4,116 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.049%2B256800%2B256900%2B257000%2B257100%2B257200.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 3.1% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 48.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,788 people (17.7%) aged under 15 years, 1,290 (12.8%) aged 15 to 29, 4,548 (45.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,484 (24.6%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 91.2% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 14.1% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 2.3% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 3.1% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.9%, Māori by 2.4%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 7.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.8% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 30.5% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.4% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.3% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.7% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.4% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.4% [[New Age]], 0.1% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]], and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 58.4%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,827 (22.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 4,566 (54.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,929 (23.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 930 people (11.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 3,942 (47.4%) full-time, 1,305 (15.7%) part-time, and 156 (1.9%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.049.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Carterton District (049)}}</ref> [[File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Carterton District.png|thumb|Population density in the 2023 census]] {| class="wikitable" |+Individual statistical areas in Carterton District |- !Name !! Area (km2) !! Population !! Density (per km2) || Dwellings !! Median age !! Median income |- | [[Mount Holdsworth, New Zealand|Mount Holdsworth]] || style="text-align:right;"|432.87 || style="text-align:right;"|2,037 || style="text-align:right;"|4.7 || style="text-align:right;"|765 || 47.5 years || $42,300<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.256800.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Mount Holdsworth}}</ref> |- | Carterton North{{efn|name=Carterton|Part of Carterton town}} || style="text-align:right;"|2.36 || style="text-align:right;"|2,688 || style="text-align:right;"|1,139.0 || style="text-align:right;"|1,194 || 52.4 years || $32,800<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.256900.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Carterton North}}</ref> |- | [[Kokotau]] || style="text-align:right;"|120.58 || style="text-align:right;"|1,275 || style="text-align:right;"|10.6 || style="text-align:right;"|486 || 46.2 years || $44,300<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.257000.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Kokotau}}</ref> |- | Carterton South{{efn|name=Carterton}} || style="text-align:right;"|2.94 || style="text-align:right;"|3,168 || style="text-align:right;"|1,077.6 || style="text-align:right;"|1,308 || 48.2 years || $34,400<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.257100.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Carterton South}}</ref> |- | [[Gladstone, New Zealand|Gladstone]] || style="text-align:right;"|621.16 || style="text-align:right;"|939 || style="text-align:right;"|1.5 || style="text-align:right;"|360 || 44.4 years || $48,300<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.257200.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Gladstone (Carterton District)}}</ref> |- ! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! 38.1 years !! style="text-align:left;"| $41,500 |} {{Notelist}}

==Landmarks== Carterton's town clock is located on High Street next to the post office. The existing tower was put into operation in September 1962, replacing the original clock tower atop the post office that was damaged in the 24 June 1942 Wairarapa earthquake.

The Bank of New South Wales, showing confidence in Carterton, built a beautifully ornate bank building on the corner of Park Road and High Street North in 1912. This building is listed in the historic buildings list found in the Wairarapa Combined District Plan. In 1982, the Bank of New South Wales became Westpac and continued to occupy the building until a devastating earthquake in Christchurch (6.3 on the Richter scale) severely damaged many unreinforced masonry buildings in February 2011. After an unfavourable engineers' assessment the bank shifted out of the building approximately 150 metres south in High Street North. The building underwent substantial seismic strengthening and re-opened as the Carterton Free Presbyterian Church in July 2017. [[File:Carterton Railway Station 01.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Historic Carterton Railway Station]] Historic [[Carterton railway station]] is located west of the town centre off Belvedere Road. The station building at the station is original, having been built when the railway opened in 1880, and has accepted passenger services ever since. It is currently leased from [[KiwiRail|KiwiRail Network]] by the [[Wairarapa Railway Restoration Society]].

The Carterton District library was established in 1874 and is one of New Zealand's oldest public libraries. The library building, built in 1881, on Holloway Street is the oldest purpose built library in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Lucy |date=2024-03-31 |title=Carterton library celebrates 150 years |url=https://times-age.co.nz/midweek/carterton-library-celebrates-150-years/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Wairarapa Times-Age |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

The Carterton Events Centre<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cartertonec.co.nz/|title=Carterton Events Centre – 06 379 4081 | Wairarapa Aotearoa NZ|website=Carterton Events Centre – 06 379 4081}}</ref> is also on Holloway Street. Opened in October 2011, this state-of-the-art, multi-purpose community facility is available for community and commercial use. Centrally located in the Wairarapa region, the Centre provides modern, flexible, spaces for all manner of events, shows, exhibitions, meetings and community gatherings. Interconnection of spaces throughout the Centre allows for separation and opening up of spaces to cater for different needs. The Events Centre belongs to the Carterton community, through the Carterton District Council.

Carterton's Memorial Square is on the corner of High Street and Park Road and holds Carterton's World War One memorial, positioned centrally. The red granite pillar, apparently broken off at the top, symbolising the lives cut short by the war. The memorial was unveiled on 13 February 1921 by Minister of Internal Affairs George Anderson. Since the 1930s, Memorial Square has been administered under an act of parliament – [http://legislation.govt.nz/act/local/1932/0003/4.0/DLM48502.html the Carterton and District Memorial Square Act (1932)].

On Sundays, from 22 February 2015, the Square began to host Carterton Farmers' Market. This weekly produce and craft event was born of the 2014 Place Making Carterton project, initiated by the Carterton District Business (Inc) group and Carterton District Council.

Located 10 minutes from the Square is [[Stonehenge Aotearoa]], built by members of The Phoenix Astronomy Society, it is a modern adaptation (opened in 2005) of the [[Stonehenge]] ruins on the [[Salisbury Plain]] of England.

== Economy == The Carterton District has a modelled gross domestic product (GDP) of $444 million in the year to March 2024, 0.1% of New Zealand's national GDP. The GDP per capita is $42,406, ranking 58th out of 66 territorial authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modelled Territorial Authority GDP 2025 release {{!}} Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment |url=https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-growth/regional-economic-development/modelled-territorial-authority-gross-domestic-product/2025-release |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=www.mbie.govt.nz}}</ref>

==Education== {{see also|List of schools in Wellington, New Zealand#Carterton District}}

Carterton has three primary schools: * Carterton School, a state full primary (Year 1–8) school<ref>{{TKI|2820|Carterton School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2820|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The school opened in 1861.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/21733320|title=The story of Carterton District School 1861 - 1961|publisher=Carterton District School Centennial Committee|via=[[National Library of New Zealand]]|access-date=6 April 2026}}</ref> From 1906, the school was Carterton District High School<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WDT19060331.2.9?query=Carterton+District+High+School|title=Local and General|newspaper=Wairarapa Daily Times|date=31 March 1906|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> but it returned to being a primary school when Kuranui College opened in 1960.<ref name="School Gazetteer">{{cite web|url=https://wairarapaschoolhistory.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/School-Gazetteer-PDF.pdf|title=School Gazetteer|publisher=Wairarapa School History|access-date=4 April 2026}}</ref>{{rp|2}} * South End School, a state full primary (Year 1–8) school<ref>{{TKI|2992|South End School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2992|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The school opened in 1962.<ref name="School Gazetteer"/>{{rp|16}} * St Mary's School, a [[state-integrated school|state-integrated]] Catholic full primary (Year 1–8) school<ref>{{TKI|3013|St Mary's School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3013|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} The school opened in 1917<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saintmarys.school.nz/catholic-character|title=Catholic Character|publisher=St Mary's School|date=February 2021}}</ref> and integrated into the state education system in the early 1980s.

Ponatahi Christian School, a state-integrated composite (Year 1–13) Christian school, is also located in Carterton.<ref>{{TKI|528|Ponatahi Christian School}}</ref> It has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|528|y}} students as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}} It was founded as a private school in 1978 and was originally sited at Ponatahi, southwest of Carterton. The school moved to its current site over the 1996–97 summer holidays, and integrated into the state education system in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ponatahi.school.nz/discover/history/|title=Some Key Historical Events|publisher=Panatahi Christian School|access-date=6 April 2026}}</ref>

There are no state secondary schools in Carterton. The nearest secondary schools are [[Kuranui College]], 10 km away in [[Greytown, New Zealand|Greytown]], and [[Wairarapa College]] and [[Makoura College]] 14 km and 15 km away respectively in Masterton.

==Transport==

===Roads=== The main street through Carterton is High Street – split on either side of Holloway Street into High Street North and High Street South. Other main streets include Park Road, Belvedere Road, Brooklyn Road, Pembroke Street and Holloway Street (which all run approximately east–west) and Lincoln Road (which runs approximately north–south). Other notable streets include Costley Street, Kenwyn Drive and Frederick Street.

Carterton District is a rapidly expanding area which, according to inter-census dates (i.e. between 2006 and 2013) is the fastest growing local government area in the North Island with respect to population. A number of new subdivisions have assisted in this expansion such as Hartley Avenue, Routhan Way, Daffodil Grove, Armstrong Avenue, Tararua Crescent, Carrington Drive and Mill Grove.

Carterton is served by [[State Highway 2 (New Zealand)|State Highway 2]], the main highway between Wellington and Masterton. The highway runs the length of High Street.

Carterton is served by [[Metlink Wellington|Metlink]] bus route 200, which connects Carterton with Masterton, Greytown, [[Featherston, New Zealand|Featherston]] and [[Martinborough]].

===Rail=== Carterton lies on the [[Wairarapa Line]], and is served by the [[Wairarapa Connection]] operated by [[KiwiRail]] and [[Transdev]] on behalf of Metlink, connecting Carterton to Wellington. The train serves both [[Carterton railway station]] and [[Matarawa railway station]] southwest of the township.

==Notable people== * [[Georgina Beyer]], world's first transgender mayor *Sir [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]], golfer, first left-handed golfer to win a golf major ([[The Open Championship]], 1963) * [[Herbert Ernest Hart]], World War I commander, born Taratahi * [[Madeleine Marie Slavick]], writer and photographer * [[Ron Mark]], politician and former mayor of Carterton * [[Celia Manson]], writer and journalist * [[Marion Tylee]], artist * [[Hamuera Tamahau Mahupuku]] (c.1842 – 14 January 1904), a New Zealand tribal leader, runholder, assessor and newspaper proprietor from [[Longbush, Wellington|Longbush]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2m27|title=Mahupuku, Hāmuera Tamahau – Dictionary of New Zealand Biography – Te Ara}}</ref>

==Image gallery== <gallery> File:Wairarapa Daily News (14375762072).jpg|Newspaper offices File:Wairarapa Electric Power Board Building.jpg|Wairarapa Electric Power Board building 1925 File:Wakelin's Flourmill.jpg|Wakelin's flour mill NZHPT category 1 File:Middle Run, Carterton, Wairarapa (20720297926).jpg|Daffodils at Middle Run </gallery>

==See also== * [[Carterton railway station]] * [[Fensham Reserve]] * [[Matarawa Railway Station]] * [[Wairarapa]] *[[:Category:Mayors of Carterton, New Zealand]]

==References== {{Reflist}} *{{cite book |first=A. W. |last=Reed |title=The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names |publisher=Reed Books |location=Auckland |year=2002 |isbn=0-7900-0761-4}} *{{cite encyclopedia |last=Schrader |first=Ben |title=Wairarapa places - Carterton |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wairarapa-places/page-5 |encyclopedia=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=28 March 2014}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Carterton, New Zealand}} *[http://cartertondc.co.nz/ Carterton District Council website] *[http://www.cartertonec.co.nz/ The Carterton Events Centre] *[http://www.cartertonnz.com Carterton District Business Community Website] *[http://www.cartertonmarket.co.nz Carterton Farmers' Market website] *[http://www.wairarapanz.com/ Destination Wairarapa tourism website for visitors] *{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d36-d11.html |title= Carterton |publisher= NZETC (1897 article in Cyclopedia of New Zealand) |date= 1897 }} *{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d80.html |title= Dalefield |publisher= NZETC (1897 article in Cyclopedia of New Zealand) |date= 1897 }}

{{Adjacent communities | title = Adjacent cities and districts | Centre = Carterton | N = [[Masterton District|Masterton]] | E = ''[[Pacific Ocean]]'' | S = [[South Wairarapa District|South Wairarapa]] | W = [[Kāpiti Coast District|Kāpiti Coast]] | NW = [[Horowhenua District|Horowhenua]] }} {{Carterton District}} {{Cities and districts of New Zealand}}

[[Category:Wairarapa]] [[Category:Carterton District]] [[Category:Populated places in the Wellington Region]] [[Category:Carterton, New Zealand| ]]