Te Horo

Te Horo and Te Horo Beach are two localities on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand's North Island. Te Horo Beach is the larger of the two settlements and, as its name implies, is located on the Tasman Sea coast. Te Horo is located to the east, a short distance inland. They are situated between Peka Peka and Waikanae to the south and Otaki to the north. "Te Horo" in the Māori language means "the landslide".

According to the 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings, the population of the two townships and surrounding area is 642, a 4.4% increase (27 people) since the 1996 census. In most statistical divisions, Te Horo's results are close to New Zealand's national average; for example, 22% of Te Horo residents are below the age of 15, compared to 22.7% nationally, and 15% are 65 or older, compared to 12.1% nationally. However, there are a few significant deviations from national averages. Te Horo has a much higher percentage of residents of European ethnicity, 93.5%, compared to the national average of 80.1%. It also has a much higher percentage of couples without children, 51.7%, compared to 39% nationally.

Some farming takes place around Te Horo, as well as small-scale viticulture. Many residents of Te Horo commute to either Wellington or Palmerston North. The beach is popular for swimming and boating and attracts visitors to the town.

Te Horo is also home to caterer and chef Ruth Pretty, one of New Zealand's best known food personalities. A cooking school (http://www.ruthpretty.co.nz/cookingschool.aspx/cooking-school), kitchen shop and catering kitchens are located on their 27-acre rural property 'Springfield' on School Road. Ruth Pretty Catering is a significant employer for the region and sources much of its produce from the Kapiti Coast region.

Te Horo is situated on the North Island's main road and rail routes, State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk railway. The railway was built by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR) as part of its Wellington - Manawatu Line that opened on 1 December 1886 with a station in Te Horo. The WMR was incorporated into the New Zealand Railways Department's national network on 8 December 1908. The railway station, opened on 2 August 1886 was closed to passengers on 27 June 1971 and from 2 November 1987 became a crossing loop only. A commuter train, the Capital Connection, operates between Palmerston North and Wellington on weekdays but Te Horo passengers must board it in Otaki or Waikanae.

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Wikipedia