INTRODUCTION

GREYTOWN's FIRST SETTLERS

EVENTS

MORE PHOTOS

GREYTOWN.NET.NZ
HOMEPAGE

Situated on the edge of a stony plain adjacent to the Waiohine river on fertile river flats in the south Wairarapa. The settling of Greytown and the surrounding district are historically important, Greytown was the 1st planned inland town as a part of the Small Farms Association scheme.

This celebration will commemorate the arrival of the first settlers to Greytown on the 27th of March 1854. The small group of settlers, six in total, included: Mr T Kempton and son, Mr and Mrs Moles , Ben Stevens and Rev Mr Bruff. After a tiresome trip from Wellington on foot over the Rimtaka Hill the group made camp. This camp site is marked on the main road by a shelter containing a plaque near Cobblestones: Wairarapa Early Settlers Museum. As the travellers settled in their camp, they were welcomed by curious Papawai Maori settlers. A re-enactment of this event is going to be part of the celebrations and several dignitaries have been invited to share this occasion with us at Cobblestones, Wairarapa's Early Settlers Museum.

Greytown was formed from the unique partnership between the enthusiastic settlers and guidance of Sir George Grey in conjunction with with the formation of the Small Farms Association. In 1853 the Small Farms Association was established. This allowed the sale of 1 acre town sections costing 1 pound each and a nearby 40 acre farm block at a cost of 10 shillings per acre to be purchased by interested parties. An example of these 40 Acre blocks is seen in the Greytown Soldiers Memorial Park, where today native bush remains amongst camping and recreational facilities.

The locals named the town Greytown to acknowledge the work Governor Grey had done to establish the town. From June 1888 Greytown's Name was changed to Greytown North to avoid confusion with Greytown South situated near Mosgiel in the South Island. In July 1907 it reverted back to just Greytown when Greytown South was renamed as Allantown.

The 150th Celebration Committee, formed in late 2002 has been working with many community groups and schools to co-ordinate the events, which will take place during the two weeks of celebration.