Masterton

Masterton
Whakaoriori (Māori)
Masterton district within the North Island
Coordinates: 40°58′S 175°39′E / 40.97°S 175.65°E / -40.97; 175.65
CountryNew Zealand
RegionGreater Wellington
DistrictMasterton District
Town founded1854
NZ ParliamentIkaroa-Rāwhiti (Māori)
Wairarapa
Government
  MayorGary Caffell
  Deputy MayorBex Johnson
  MPsMike Butterick (National)
Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (Labour)
  Territorial authorityMasterton District Council
Area
  Territorial
2,300.21 km2 (888.12 sq mi)
  Urban
22.45 km2 (8.67 sq mi)
Elevation
69 m (226 ft)
Population
 (June 2024)
  Territorial
28,700
  Density12/km2 (32/sq mi)
  Urban
22,500
  Urban density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
5810
Area code06
Websitewww.mstn.govt.nz

Masterton (Māori: Whakaoriori) is a large town in the Greater Wellington Region of New Zealand that operates as the seat of the Masterton District (a territorial authority or local-government district). It is the largest town in the Wairarapa, a region separated from Wellington by the Remutaka ranges. It stands on the Waipoua stream between the Ruamāhunga and Waingawa Rivers – 100 kilometres north-east of Wellington and 40 kilometres south of Eketāhuna.

Masterton has an urban population of 22,500, and a district population of 28,700 (June 2024).

Masterton businesses includes services for surrounding farmers. Three new industrial parks are being developed in Waingawa, Solway and Upper Plain. The town functions as the headquarters of the annual Golden Shears sheep-shearing competition.