Tokomaru, New Zealand

Tokomaru is a small town in the district of Horowhenua, in the southwestern North Island of New Zealand. It is located 18 kilometres southwest of Palmerston North, and a similar distance northeast of Shannon.PopulationAt the 2013 census, Tokomaru had a population of 552, an increase of 36 people since the 2006 census. There were 201 occupied dwellings and 15 unoccupied dwellings.City Facilities and AttractionsTokomaru is best known for the Tokomaru Steam Engine Museum, a collection of antique steam engine machinery, much of it still operational and run on certain days. Highlights include a 1904 Fowler traction engine, an 1897 Aveling & Porter portable engine and a huge 335 hp Filer & Stowell stationary engine-compressor ex the Imlay Freezing Works, Wanganui. The Tokomaru Steam Engine Museum is currently not open as it is on the market for sale.Tokomaru School provides both the Primary and Intermediate Level schooling for the area.Tokomaru has two public reserves. The Tokomaru Domain, a sports field and hall; and Horseshoe Bend reserve.The town has a locally run combined store/post office.On the outskirts of Tokomaru are two factories. One, Stevensons Construction, is still operational and employs a large number of Tokomaru residents. The other is a former dairy factory that is in the process of being renovated.