Makowhai is a small rural district to the south of Sanson in the Manawatu region of the North Island of New Zealand. 

Not many people live here, but those who do like it. 

Makowhai, is a Maori name given by the European settlers to the district. 

Its literal translation from Maori

Ma: stream

Kowhai: a flowering tree with yellow blooms

(Sophora microphyllia) 

Makowhai was originally known as

Mickeytown, after Michael Coyle, a local bullock driver. Apparently, the local settlers were getting tired of official naming decisions and chose one of their own. 

An early survey map from 1872 shows the first sections laid out.

There are some interesting photographs of the Makowhai School, long closed.

This site celebrates a little known corner of New Zealand’s history. We have just got started and hope to expand our site in the future.

Please contact us with your comments.  We will publish your feedback. 

 

Thanks for visiting Makowhai.com

 

Source: The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names 2002

Mickeytown  a town that didn’t quite make it.

 

Email: db@harapaki.net

Makowhai.com

The Makowhai Trust is a small family trust

set up by descendents of a

Makowhai settler family who have a strong interest in preserving the past.

 

Makowhai.com first established July 2003

Tena Koutou katoa

Greetings to you all