Please enable Java in your browser.
Flood scene
Floods have always been a fact of life for settlers near the Manawatu River. Descendants of James and Ann Nash, Amos and Lydia Burr, William Wintersgill, J T Stewart, the Symons and later the Eastons and Adins all know stories of their forefathers' lucky escapes. The 1880 flood is reputed to have been one of the worst - Robert Robinson's house was seen floating downstream past the wharf.
In early times Foxton was often isolated by floodwaters, despite the Whirikino Bridge built in 1900, as the approaches were over low-lying land.
The trestle bridge (1939) and raised roadway remedied this. The Whirikino Cut and the 10 kilometre floodway from Moutoa (1961) have greatly lessened flooding in the district.
Artists: Mike Jull and Michael Barclay
Sponsor: District Council and Benjamin Moore Paints
Site: Foxton Service Centre, south wall, Main Street
