Norsewood is a small rural town in the Tararua District, part of the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand'sNorth Island. The town is situated east of the Ruahine Mountain range and is located 20 kilometres northeast of Dannevirke. As of 2017 it has a total population of around 300. The source of the Manawatu River is located behind Norsewood at the end of Manawatu River Road and is the Natural boundary for the region and Hawke's Bay to the North 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.
Townscape
The village consists of two parts. Upper Norsewood mainly consists of the town's main road which is located near a glassed-in boathouse known as Bindalsfaering, a gift from the Norwegian government. Also located here is The Barngift shop, a visitor's centre and the Pioneer Museum, which is housed in an 1888 structure. Lower Norsewood is 1 km to the south and mainly strung around Hovding Street. This part of town houses Norsewear, a company which is famed for its woolen garments in Norwegian designs. Upper and Lower Norsewood lie on either side of State Highway 2 in Tararua District, approximately 20 km northeast of Dannevirke. Crown Hotel is the town's main meeting place and home of a local pub. The town celebrates its roots with a Scandinavian festival held every year. Furthermore, the main square by Coronation Street welcomes visitors to “Little Norway”, and a Norwegian flag flies from the street's tourist office. Traditional celebrations of May 17, Norway's Constitution Day, is held on the Sunday closest to May 17. A fishing boat, the Bindalsfaering, is displayed in a glassed boat-house in the town. It was a gift from the Norwegian government. Nearby was a replica of a Norwegian stave church.
