Midhirst

Home / Why Taranaki Area / Midhirst

Midhirst is a small rural community located approximately 4 km north of Stratford, surrounded by productive Taranaki farmland. Midhirst School provides co-educational primary education for Years 1–8, with a roll of approximately 130 students.

Approximately 2 km north of the village, York Road provides access towards Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (Egmont National Park). The York Road Loop Track follows part of a historic railway line dating back to 1905, once used to transport crushed rock from a quarry on the mountain.

Adding to Midhirst’s traditional rural character is the local tavern, a long-established country pub that has served as a social meeting place for generations of local residents, farmers and travellers.

History: Midhirst is named after James Hirst, an early settler.

York Road, 2 km north of Midhirst, leads to Taranaki Maunga (Mount Taranaki) National Park. In the park, the York Road Loop Track follows the Egmont branch line railway, laid about 1905–6 to carry road metal from a quarry on the mountain. The line was finally closed in 1951 after years of decline.