Longbush is a small rural community in the Carterton District, Wairarapa (within the Wellington Region) of New Zealand's North Island. Established in 1902 under the Land for Settlements Consolidation Act 1900, it once formed part of a large estate along with neighbouring Table-lands. Today, it remains a pastoral area with fewer than 200 residents, notable for its scenic valleys, farming character, and heritage features. Longbush Cottage, located within the community, has emerged as a modern garden destination.[1][2]
Longbush was formally surveyed and incorporated into the government’s settlement scheme under the Land for Settlements Act in 1902. The estate, held by lessees including Tully Brothers, included a homestead and was divided into sections of varying acreage.[3]
In 1904, local settlers petitioned for a school, which opened the following year. The school served the community until its closure in 1968 when it was consolidated with nearby Gladstone School.[4] The school building continues to be used as a children’s play centre and occasional community hall.
Infrastructure grew steadily through the early 20th century: the flax mill operated briefly in 1908 before closing due to rising labour costs, and that same year the road linking Longbush and Martinborough was completed with the last bridge opening. Telephone sub-exchanges were agreed in December 1908, and by 1909 a cheese factory had been established, producing cheese for export to London by 1915.[5][6][7][8][9]
Geography
Longbush lies in a valley framed by the Ponatahi Hills (440 metres (1,440ft)) to the west and the southern slopes of the Maungaraki Range (500 metres (1,600ft)) to the east. The topography reflects the region’s rural character, blending pastoral flats with steeper, more rugged hill country. The Gladstone, Central Plains and Martinborough areas border the north and west, while Hinakura, Tuturumuri, and Huangarua bound the eastern and southern sides.[10]
Demography
The population of Longbush remains under 200. Residents are primarily engaged in pastoral farming—sheep, dairy, beef, pigs, and deer—as well as agriculture-related work and small-scale lifestyle blocks. The local hapū is Ngāti Hikawera, part of the Ngāti Kahungunuiwi.[11]
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