Feilding

{{short description|Settlement in Manawatū-Whanganui Region, New Zealand}} {{For|other places with a similar name|Fielding (disambiguation){{!}}Fielding}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Feilding | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = Feilding,_NZ.jpg | imagesize = 300px | image_alt = | image_caption = Manchester Square | image_flag = | nickname = 'Friendly' Feilding | motto = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|40|13|S|175|34|E|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Manawatū-Whanganui | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Manawatū District | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Feilding General Ward|Ngā Tapuae o Matangi Māori Ward}} | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|Rangitīkei|Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)}} | leader_title = Territorial Authority | leader_name = Manawatū District Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Horizons Regional Council | leader_title2 = Mayor of Manawatu | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Manawatu District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = Rangitīkei MP | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Rangitīkei MP|y}} | leader_title4 = Te Tai Hauāuru MP | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Hauāuru MP|y}} | established_title = | established_date = 1871 | founder = | named_for = Colonel William Henry Adelbert Feilding | total_type = | unit_pref = | area_magnitude = | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 23.59 | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_km2 = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = <ref>New Zealand Topo50 map BM34: [www.linz.govt.nz]</ref> | elevation_m = 70 | elevation_ft = 230 | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Feilding|y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = NZST | utc_offset1 = +12 | timezone1_DST = NZDT | utc_offset1_DST = +13 | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = 4702 | area_code_type = Telephone | area_code = 06 | website = [http://www.feilding.co.nz/ www.feilding.co.nz] | footnotes = }}

'''Feilding''' is a town in the Manawatū District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 54, 20 kilometres north of Palmerston North. The town is the seat of the Manawatū District Council.

Feilding has won the annual New Zealand's Most Beautiful Town award 16 times.<ref>{{cite web |title=Feilding wins New Zealand's most beautiful town for the 16th time |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/97904436/feilding-wins-new-zealands-most-beautiful-town-for-the-16th-time#:~:text=Feilding%20has%20won%20the%20Most,representatives%20Adele%20and%20Russell%20Parker. |website=Stuff |access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref> It is an Edwardian-themed town, with the district plan encouraging buildings in the CBD to be built in that style.

Feilding is a service town for the surrounding farming district. The Feilding Saleyards has been a vital part of the wider Manawatū community for over 125 years. As transport systems improved and farming practices changed, the need for small, local saleyards all but disappeared, leaving few major selling complexes in New Zealand. Manawatū is a diverse and fertile farming area with high production, high stock-carrying capacity, and a stable climate. These factors make Feilding Saleyards a popular medium for many farmers. A unique aspect of Feilding Saleyards is their location in the centre of town.<ref>"Feilding Saleyards 125 Years of Success 1880–2005" (June 2005) Adapted by Foreword authored by Ian McKelvie.</ref>

The Manawatū Plains, on which the town is sited, are very fertile land, and as such it is a prosperous agricultural area. Being located on the floodplain of a major river has its problems, however, and in February 2004 the town suffered extensive flooding. In 2009 the Horizons Regional Council commissioned a new flood protection scheme to prevent extensive flooding in the future.<ref>{{cite news | title=Flood protection scheme opens | url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=48660 | work=infonews.co.nz | location=New Zealand | date=25 March 2000 | access-date=9 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628195238/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=48660 | archive-date=28 June 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==

===European settlement===

The town was named after Colonel William H. A. Feilding, a director of the Emigrants and Colonists Aid Corporation Ltd. who negotiated the purchase of a 100,000 acre (400 km²) block of land from the Wellington provincial government in 1871. The first European settlers arrived from Great Britain on 22 January 1874.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://feilding.co.nz/history |title=History |access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>

The Feilding Edwardian Project Inc. was established in September 1993 by local businesses with the aim of revitalising the central business area of Feilding. Many of the commercial buildings were built in the 1900s (Edwardian era) and have been restored and preserved over time. Feilding is home to a number of historic collections, buildings, monuments, and museums, including Archives Central, The Coach House Museum, St Johns Church, Feilding Club, Feilding Hotel, and Feilding & Districts Steam Rail Society.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steamrail.org.nz |title=Feilding & Districts Steam Rail Society |access-date=30 June 2016}}</ref> thumb|House at 11 Beattie Street; NZ Heritage list 2831

===Marae===

Feilding has two marae, connected to the iwi of Ngāti Kauwhata: Aorangi Marae and its Maniaihu meeting house; and Kauwhata Marae or Kai Iwi Pā and its Kauwhata meeting house.<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=Te Puni Kōkiri}}</ref><ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>

In October 2020, the Government committed $1,248,067 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Kauwhata Marae and 5 others, creating 69 jobs.<ref name="maraepgf">{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=Provincial Growth Fund |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}</ref>

== Demographics == Feilding is described by Stats NZ as a medium urban area and covers {{Convert|23.59|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=12 December 2025}}</ref>

Feilding had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Feilding|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Feilding|y}}|R}}/23.59|1}} people per km2.

{{Historical populations|2006|13,572|2013|14,469|2018|15,990|2023|16,929|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Feilding Central (228400), Kimbolton North (228100), Kimbolton South (228500), Kimbolton West (228300), Makino (227900), Mount Taylor (227700), Sandon (228000) and Warwick (228200)}}</ref>|footnote=The 2006 population is for a larger area of 23.65 km2.}} thumb|Feilding Clocktower thumb|View of Feilding facing south

Feilding had a population of 16,929 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 939 people (5.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 2,460 people (17.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 8,184 males, 8,679 females, and 66 people of other genders in 6,534 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%2Bdo1.1357%2B228400%2B228100%2B228500%2B228300%2B227900%2B227700%2B228000%2B228200.2023|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> 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 3,339 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 2,820 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 6,960 (41.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 3,813 (22.5%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.5% European (Pākehā); 20.6% Māori; 3.6% Pasifika; 4.1% Asian; 0.6% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.1%, Māori by 4.7%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 5.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 1.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Religious affiliations were 31.7% Christian, 0.7% Hindu, 0.4% Islam, 1.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.3%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

Of those at least 15 years old, 2,049 (15.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 7,797 (57.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 3,744 (27.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 1,038 people (7.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 6,510 (47.9%) full-time, 1,665 (12.3%) part-time, and 279 (2.1%) 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.1357.2013%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=Feilding (1357)}}</ref>

{{table alignment}} {| class="wikitable defaultright col1left" |+Individual statistical areas |- !Name !! Area (km2) !! Population !! Density (per km2) || Dwellings !! Median age !! Median income |- | Feilding Central || 6.66 || 996 || 150 || 423 || 42.7 years || $34,300<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.228400.2013%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=Feilding Central}}</ref> |- | Kimbolton North || 4.21 || 3,621 || 860 || 1,377 || 42.4 years || $37,000<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.228100.2013%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=Kimbolton North}}</ref> |- | Kimbolton South || 1.35 || 2,208 || 1,636 || 801 || 38.4 years || $36,700<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.228500.2013%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=Kimbolton South}}</ref> |- | Kimbolton West || 1.16 || 2,583 || 2,227 || 1,011 || 40.8 years || $33,200<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.228300.2013%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=Kimbolton West}}</ref> |- | Makino || 1.71 || 3,078 || 1,800 || 1,101 || 34.8 years || $39,400<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.227900.2013%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=Makino}}</ref> |- | Mount Taylor || 3.19 || 609 || 191 || 204 || 37.9 years || $56,300<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.227700.2013%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 Taylor}}</ref> |- | Sandon || 4.49 || 2,277 || 507 || 909 || 46.2 years || $43,200<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.228000.2013%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=Sandon}}</ref> |- | Warwick || 0.82 || 1,557 || 1,899 || 705 || 46.5 years || $33,500<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%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.228200.2013%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=Warwick}}</ref> |- ! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! style="text-align:right;"|38.1 years !! style="text-align:right;"| $41,500 |}

==Economy== Employing about 30 people with a payroll of $1.5m in 2015, Proliant, an Iowa based firm privately held by the father and son team of Wally and Nix Lauridsen, constructed a $24m factory on the outskirts of Feilding for the production of a byproduct from cattle blood plasma, bovine serum albumin (BSA), which is used in pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical research. Proliant produces about half of the world's BSA.<ref>{{cite web | last = Galuszka | first= Jono | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8655262/US-biofirm-to-build-factory-near-Feilding/ | title = US biofirm to build factory near Feilding | website = stuff.co.nz | date= 10 May 2013 | access-date= 1 February 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.proliantinc.com/ Proliant Inc. website]</ref><ref>[http://www.proliantbiologicals.com/about/ Proliant Biologicals website]</ref><ref name = ProliantNZ>{{cite web | url = http://www.proliantbiologicals.com/biological-products/standard-grade-bsa/ | title = Proliant Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) New Zealand Source | access-date = 1 February 2015 | archive-date = 18 January 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150118233717/http://www.proliantbiologicals.com/biological-products/standard-grade-bsa/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

In the Manawatū District of the people aged 15 years or over: * 40% earn $20,000 or less (NZ 38.8%) * 14% earn more than $50,000 (NZ 16.2%) * the unemployment rate is 3.8% (NZ 7.3%) * 73.4% of permanent private dwellings are owned with or without a mortgage by the occupant(s) (NZ 66.9%)<ref>{{Cite web|title = Live – Feilding|url = http://www.feilding.co.nz/live.html|website = www.feilding.co.nz|access-date = 4 January 2016}}</ref> thumb|Cheltenham Co-Operative Dairy Factory, Makino, Feilding

== Features == * One of New Zealand's main motor racing circuits, Manfeild, is located at the southern edge of the town. * There is an active light aircraft airfield Feilding Aerodrome and is located at the eastern edge of the town. * The depot of the Feilding and District Steam Rail Society is located in the town and it runs railway excursions from this base. * Feilding's stock saleyards were once one of the largest in the southern hemisphere and are right in the central business area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Feilding Saleyards Guided Tours|url=http://www.manawatunz.co.nz/visit/places/feilding/|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602043442/http://www.manawatunz.co.nz/visit/places/feilding/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Feilding railway station * The Coach House Museum * Focal Point Cinema Feilding * Te Ahuru Mowai (community hub/library) * There are no traffic lights and no parking meters

==Education== All the schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

===Secondary schools=== * Feilding High School, commonly known as "FAHS" from the time when it was "Feilding Agricultural High School", is a state secondary (years 9–13) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|197|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|197|Feilding High School}}</ref> It was established in 1921 as Feilding Technical High School, replacing Feilding District High School ({{floruit|1903}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS19030128.2.39.5?query=Feilding+District+High+School|title=Advertisements|newspaper=Feilding Star|date=28 January 1903}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=29 July 1921|title=Technical Day School|newspaper=Feilding Star|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS19210729.2.21}}</ref> It later became Feilding Agricultural High School.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Feilding Technical High School Architectural Plans|url=https://archivescentral.org.nz/manawatu-district-council/recordset/feilding-technical-high-school-architectural-plans|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=18 January 2021|website=archivescentral.org.nz}}</ref> It was renamed FAHS - Feilding High School in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feildinghigh.school.nz/about-us/our-history|title=Our History|publisher=Feilding High School|access-date=12 December 2025}}</ref>

===Primary and intermediate schools=== * Feilding Intermediate School is a state intermediate (years 7–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2356|y}}. It was established in 1964.<ref>{{TKI|2356|Feilding Intermediate}}</ref> * Lytton Street School is a state contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2389|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|2389|Lytton Street school}}</ref> It was established in 1901.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABOUT|url=https://www.lyttonstreet.school.nz/about|access-date=2020-11-23|website=Lytton Street School|language=en}}</ref> In 1937 Makino Road school closed and its 50 pupils were bussed to Lytton Street.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 Sep 1937|title=MAKINO ROAD SCHOOL. MANAWATU STANDARD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19370904.2.45.5|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-14|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Makino had been established in 1886<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Makino|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d146.html|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-14|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}</ref> and its building was moved to Bluff Road, Rangiwahia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=19 Jul 1944|title=Primary Education MANAWATU TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19440719.2.49|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-14|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> * Manchester Street School is a state contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2390|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|2390|Manchester Street school}}</ref> It was established in 1874.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History {{!}} Manchester Street School|url=https://www.manchesterstreet.school.nz/1/pages/2-history|access-date=2020-11-23|website=www.manchesterstreet.school.nz}}</ref> * North Street School is a state full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2409|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|2409|North Street school}}</ref> It opened in 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/21997030|title=North Street School : 25th jubilee, March 1958-1983|year=1983|first=Alex M|last=Astle|publisher=North Street School 25th Jubilee Committee}}</ref> * St Joseph's School is a Catholic integrated full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2451|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|2451|St Josephs (Feilding)}}</ref> It opened in 1906.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stjosephsfeilding.school.nz/|title=Nau Mai, Haere Mai – Welcome to St Joseph's School in Feilding, NZ|publisher=St Joseph's School|access-date=12 December 2025}}</ref> * Taonui School, located south-east of the Feilding township, is a state full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2462|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|2462|Taonui School}}</ref> It opened in 1879.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/21096206|title=Learn by doing : a centennial history of the Taonui School and district, 1879-1979|year=1979|first=M H|last=Durie|publisher=Taonui Centennial Committee}}</ref>

== Transport == Feilding is located on State Highway 54, which connects State Highway 1 at Vinegar Hill with State Highway 3 at Newbury, forming the primary route between Feilding and central Palmerston North. Other significant routes include Awahuri Road, which links Feilding with SH 3 at Awahuri and provides the most direct route to Sanson, Bulls, and Whanganui; Halcombe Road, which connects Feilding to SH 1 near Marton via Halcombe; and Waughs Road and Campbells Road, which together link Feilding to Bunnythorpe. From Bunnythorpe, traffic can continue via Ashhurst Road to SH 3 at Ashhurst, or via Railway Road to Palmerston North Airport and eastern Palmerston North.

A regular public bus service, Route 311, operates from Monday to Saturday between Feilding and Palmerston North, travelling via Bunnythorpe and Palmerston North Airport. Additionally, a local loop service, Route 301, operates within Feilding on the same days.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2024 |title=Bus timetable - Aorangi/Feilding |url=https://www.horizons.govt.nz/HRC/media/Media/Bus-Route-Timetable/Connect-Feilding-Timetable-Jul-2024.pdf?ext=.pdf |website=Horizons Regional Council}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rankin |first=Janine |date=18 July 2024 |title=Popular Feilding bus services could be enhanced |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350345053/popular-feilding-bus-services-could-be-enhanced |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

The North Island Main Trunk railway line runs through Feilding; however, the town has not been served by a regular passenger train service since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-25 |title=Dash to catch the last train |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/7164511/Dash-to-catch-the-last-train |access-date=2021-01-21 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people== Notable people from Feilding include: * Murray Ball, kiwiana cartoonist who drew ''Footrot Flats'' * Jed Brophy, actor, Dwarf Nori in ''The Hobbit'' trilogy

* Air Marshal Sir Charles Roderick Carr, KBE, CB, DFC, AFC, was born in Feilding and attended a primary school there * Eddie Durie was born in Feilding * Mason Durie, was born in Feilding * Keith Elliott, recipient of the Victoria Cross medal, attended high school in Feilding * Mihingarangi Forbes, journalist * Sarah Hirini, New Zealand women's national rugby union team and sevens team * Perry Harris, All Black and Manawatu rugby representative * Hinerangitoariari, artist * Michael Houstoun, concert pianist * Glen Jackson, rugby union player and referee born in Feilding * Sam McNicol, rugby union player, was born in Feilding * W. H. Oliver, historian and poet, was born in Feilding * Tom Scott, cartoonist * Jesse Sergent, olympic cyclist * Aaron Smith, All Black * Glenn Standring, film director, was born in Feilding * Barbara Stewart politician, New Zealand First member of Parliament * Codie Taylor, All Black attended FAHS * Simon van Velthooven, Olympic cyclist, America's Cup winner * Adam Whitelock, New Zealand national rugby sevens team, attended FAHS * George Whitelock, All Black, attended FAHS * Luke Whitelock, All Black, attended FAHS * Sam Whitelock, All Black, attended FAHS * Peter Williams, attended FAHS

;Groups * Evermore, popular musical group composed of Dann Hume, Jon Hume and Peter Hume

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.feilding.co.nz Official Feilding website] *{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d20-d1.html |title= Feilding |publisher= NZETC (1897 article in Cyclopedia of New Zealand) |date= 1897 }} *{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d20-d2.html |title= Borough of Feilding |publisher= NZETC (1897 article in Cyclopedia of New Zealand) |date= 1897 }} *{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d20-d4.html |title= Oroua County Council |publisher= NZETC (1897 article in Cyclopedia of New Zealand) |date= 1897 }} *{{cite web|url= https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d20-d6.html |title= Lytton Street School |publisher= NZETC (1897 article in Cyclopedia of New Zealand) |date= 1897 }}

Category:Feilding Category:Manawatū District Category:Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui