Hunterville

Hunterville was established in 1884. The village takes its name from George Hunter who walked from Wellington and placed a peg on the site. The village has a population of 507 according to the 2001 Census and services the numerous farms in the district many of which are still in the hands of the original settlers’ families. There are a number of shops in the village as well as two pubs , a café and the Hunterville & Districts Settlers Museum which is open on Friday afternoons or by arrangement and is well worth a visit.

We have a resident pipe band - the Rangitikei Scots formed in 1923 which supports local events in the region as well as competing nationally in competitions - be here on a Monday night to hear them practise !

Have your photo taken on one of the sheep sculptures in Bruce Street, the main shopping street or by the Huntaway dog statue on State Highway One erected to celebrate the fact that Hunterville is known as “the Huntaway Capital of the World” boasting more Huntaway sheepdogs in the area than anywhere else.

Each year we have the Huntaway Festival – this year on Saturday 30^th October . The Festival commences at midday with a dog barking competition followed by the Children’s Shemozzle .The Shepherd’s Shemozzle now entering its 13th year is run mid afternoon. This gruelling 2.5 kilometres event is centred around the shepherds and their Huntaway dogs competing over an endurance and obstacle course. In previous years competitors have swallowed a raw egg, munched on a dry weetbix washed down with a can of beer , huhu bugs with cold cooking oil or a sheeps eye and cream !!!! This year who knows ???

Running throughout the day are numerous forms of entertainment such as live music, whip cracking, pig running together with children’s entertainment and numerous stalls to browse.The event ends with evening entertainment in our marquee which is furnished with a bar and dance floor. All in all this is a fun day for all and one not to be missed - we like to ensure that anybody who attends one of our days will never forget the experience.