Feilding
January 22, 1872 was the arrival of the first European immigrants to Feilding. The European settlement of The Manchester Block was the result of a group of English philanthropists led by the Duke of Manchester. Calling itself the 'emigrants' and Colonists' Aid Corporation.
The aim was to give the lower class of Britans a new life. The township of Feilding was the first settlement in the area. It was named after Colonel William Feilding, a director of the corporation, who had travelled to Australia then New Zealand in 1871 to select and purchase suitable land.
He bought the Manchester Block from the Wellington Provincial Council, an area of 100,00 acres, for 15 shillings an acre.
"An excerpt from Feilding Ewardian Project Inc., Central Feilding Historic Walk Booklet"
Feilding is 20km from Palmerston North. 2 hours north of Wellington.
Feilding is primarly a farming town. It hosts a farmers market every Friday. This coincides with the weekly cattle sales.
Feilding Salesyards were established in 1880. Just two blocks from the town square. The first sale was 100 head of cattle. Now 15,000 sheep and 1,400 head of cattle sold each week. Feilding salesyards are one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Feilding has lots to offer, from the amazing parks, to leisure activities, resturants and to the shopping.
Feilding has free parking and no traffic lights.
Feilding has won New Zealand's most beautiful town title 16 times