# Norsewood

Norsewood is a small rural settlement in the Tararua District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. The town is situated east of the Ruahine Mountain range and is located 20 kilometres northeast of Dannevirke.

## Geography

The Norsewood area, as defined by Statistics New Zealand, covers 397.35 km$^2$, including the township and the surrounding rural hinterland.
The source of the Manawatu River is located behind the settlement, at the end of Manawatu River Road, forming the natural boundary for the region and Hawke's Bay to the north.
The village consists of two parts. Upper Norsewood features the town's main road, Coronation Street, a gift shop, a visitor's centre and a Pioneer Museum housed in an 1888 building. Lower Norsewood, located 1 km to the south, features Hovding Street and Norsewear, a company which provides woolen garments in Norwegian designs.
Upper and Lower Norsewood lie on either side of State Highway 2.

## History
### Early settlement

Norsewood was founded by mainly Norwegian settlers in 1872 as a loggers’ settlement and retains a Scandinavian tenor. The village was carved out of the forest, and was subsequently destroyed in a fire in 1888.
The government of New Zealand requested Norwegian immigrants and made an agreement with Winge & Co. in Christiania, which would allow for 3,000 emigrants to New Zealand. In the years 1870–76, nearly 1,000 Norwegians moved to the Norsewood area.

### Modern township

The settlement continues to celebrate its Scandinavian culture. A Scandinavian festival is held every year. Traditional celebrations of Norway's Constitution Day are held on the Sunday closest to 17 May.
The main square by Coronation Street welcomes visitors to "Little Norway", and a Norwegian flag flies from the street's tourist office. The Bindalsfaering, a fishing boat gifted by the Norwegian Government, is displayed in a glassed boat-house in Upper Norsewood, near a replica of a Norwegian stave church.

## Demography

Norsewood is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, which covers 0.38 km$^2$ (0.15 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 140 as of June 2024, with a population density of 368 people per km$^2$.
Norsewood had a population of 135 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (21.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 3 people (−2.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 54 households, comprising 75 males and 57 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.32 males per female. The median age was 41.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 27 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 24 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 63 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (15.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 86.7% European/Pākehā, 26.7% Māori, 2.2% Pasifika, and 2.2% Asian. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.6% had no religion, 28.9% were Christian, and 4.4% had Māori religious beliefs.
Of those at least 15 years old, 6 (5.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 36 (33.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 3 people (2.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 42 (38.9%) people were employed full-time, 21 (19.4%) were part-time, and 6 (5.6%) were unemployed.

### Norsewood statistical area

Norsewood statistical area, which also includes Ormondville, covers 397.44 km$^2$ (153.45 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,760 as of June 2024, with a population density of 4.4 people per km$^2$.
The statistical area had a population of 1,611 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 63 people (4.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 66 people (4.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 615 households, comprising 843 males and 768 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 44.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 342 people (21.2%) aged under 15 years, 243 (15.1%) aged 15 to 29, 768 (47.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 261 (16.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.9% European/Pākehā, 19.9% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 0.9% Asian, and 0.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.6% had no religion, 35.8% were Christian, 2.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 150 (11.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 315 (24.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 150 people (11.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 645 (50.8%) people were employed full-time, 228 (18.0%) were part-time, and 39 (3.1%) were unemployed.

## Economy

In 2018, 14.1% of the workforce worked in manufacturing, 3.4% worked in construction, 0.0% worked in retail and wholesale, 2.4% worked in hospitality, 2.8% worked in transport, 6.6% worked in education, and 6.9% worked in healthcare.
Crown Hotel is a local pub and meeting place.

## Transport

As of 2018, among those who commute to work, 63.1% drove a car, 1.4% rode in a car, 0.3% use a bike, and 0.3% walk or run. No one commuted by public transport.

## Education

Norsewood and Districts School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 39 as of November 2024.

## In popular culture

The town appears in the television series The Almighty Johnsons, where some of its descendants are the reincarnations of Norse gods.