MARTON
Marton has a strong similarity with
Waimate in the Sth Island; and just like Waimate Marton is a town that
is being challenged by two major progressive centres, but larger.
Matron’s reason for being goes back to a time of vast distances and
rural centre’s providing essential services. Fielding as an example,
competed and beat the ‘big’ centre. But the Martons and Ashursts have
struggled to hold ground or prosper.
That said the town of
Marton is the largest in the Rangitikei district, and began life as a
private township in 1866, when shop and housing sections were sold at
auction by local land owners.
For three years the small
village was known as Tutaenui, named after the stream running through
its centre. In 1869 local citizens changed the name to Marton to
honour the home village of Captain James Cook in Yorkshire, marking
his landing in New Zealand exactly 100 years earlier. A monument to
ratify this act is on display in the main street.
Marton, as is the situation
with many small communities is being recognized for the quality of
life it can offer to the busier urban communities. This scenario is
being played out over NZ and other countries.
The Marton Anglican Church
has heritage status. 
The War Memorial is
acknowledged in two centres. 
The Matron Hotels have
lasted the many economic challenges.
And the Marton Museum is represented with the village concept.
Marton is off the main
routes, but as an investigative traveler the town is too big not to
visit.
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