According to a 1980s Levin Jubilee publication, the first sports centre at 313 Oxford Street opened around 1937 and passed through various owners until Rex Cederwall bought it in 1962. He in turn sold it in 1969. In 1981 the business was still trading, but in a different location.

A common saying in 1960s New Zealand was that the country was build upon 'Rugby, Racing and Beer'. The number of pubs and sports centres in 1960s Horowhenua seems to support this assertion and MAVtech holds an old music record based around these three 'past-times'. 

Little surprise that rugby was one of the sports pictured (along with soccer) with other sports having a bullet point only.

The Super Quad Fishing Competition is run by the Manawatu Marine Boating Club, with four fishing days held each year. For 2023, a jetski was the prize, and there were more than 80 skippers and 200 contestants angling to win it. 

Local photographer Jacob Brookie took this photograph of the weigh - in at the final day of the contest- the 7th of April 2023. It was taken in the Manawatu Marine Boating Club's equipment room by the Foxton Beach Boat ramp at around 2pm in the afternoon. Pictured are contestants weighing a kahawai, with a volunteer pictured in the background taking note of the contestant, their boat, the species and the weight.

Jacob used a 1966 Marshal Press camera for this photograph on Ilford black and white film. The metal camera weighed almost as much as some of the fish did! 

Before most families had a motor vehicle, getting around by bicycle was as much for transport as it was for exercise. Cochran's Cycles is advertising the Raleigh series of bikes in this slide. Raleigh was formed in 1885 and still makes bicycles today- making it one of the oldest surviving brands in the bike business.

Cochran's Cycles had a float in the 1955 Foxton Centennial Parade and this slide would date to around this era.

Cinema advertising slides were usually shown in theatres at the end of the intermission ('God Save The Queen', a newsreel and a sports feature were often featured before the film). But 'advertising' wasn't just for local businesses- local clubs and groups had messages screened alongside official government messages and ads for upcoming features the theatre was screening.

This slide is advertising an athletics day in Foxton's Victoria Park. It dates to around the 1950s/early 1960s and is now a glimpse into what early evening entertainment looked like before television.....

Two unidentified trampers with packs on the West Peak slope, Mt Hector, Tararua Range c.1930.

1 B&W photo print

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Dora Adkin and Ron Law sitting on motorbike on beach with boys on horses in background.

Photographed Wednesday December 26 1917 at Hokio Beach.

From Te Papa Collection:

http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/ObjectDetails.aspx?oid=123403

Penciled on back - Graham Watson in his 1-1/2 litre Brabham at the Levin Motor-racing circuit. Wed. Oct. 1, 1969.

Stamped on back with black ink - Horowhenua Historical Society. Acc. No. 137 Date.

Graham Watson in his 1-1/2 litre Brabham at the Levin motor-racing circuit, 1 October 1969.

1 B&W photo print

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

names on reverse of photograph

Foxton Marching Team 1947. Those in the photogrph are Z Betty, Audrey Burr, Joyce O’Rielly, Shirley Thompson, Anne Merriman, Dell Haycock, Pam Marshall, Joan Mounsey, Heather McKenzie. The male coach at the right of the photograph is unidentified.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

names on reverse of photograph

Foxton Marching team in 1940s Those in the photograph are from left to right:-

Back Row:- Zoe Calder, Beverly Barron, Francis Corlett, Dorothy Jackson, Marge Haycock, Melva Reid.

Front Row:- Marge Podmore, Joan Goodwin, Evelyn Podmore, Melvie King.

The coach is Trevor Terry and the mascot is ? Johnston.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Ten scullers and an official pose during the Manawatu Sculling Handicap 1909.

Photograph is in fair condition – torn at edges

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Stan Newth and Keith Robinson with toheroas.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Written on back (of both photos) with blue ballpoint pen: “Shannon Swimming Club”

Shannon Swimming Club c.1970. This photograph shows a group of successful swimmers with a trophy. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Philip Rosanoski, Manu Peni, Joe Winiata, Ross Robertson, and Mavis Vinsen.

1 B&W photo print (plus copy)

See also s2002.042.0001b

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Shannon Swimming Club”

Shannon Swimming Club c.1970. This photograph shows a group of successful swimmers with a trophy. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Philip Rosanoski, Manu Peni, Joe Winiata, Ross Robertson and Mavis Vinsen. The child standing against the building is Robin Sayer.

1 B&W photo print (plus copy)

See also s2002.042.0001a

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Swimming”

Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “(3) 6795 – L to R: Ross Robertson, Manu Peni, Phillip Rosanoski, Joe Winiata.”

Shannon Swimming Club swimmers with a trophy, c.1970. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Ross Robertson, Manu Peni, Philip Rosanoski, Joe Winiata.

1 Colour photo print

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Colour photograph.

Midwinter swim at Foxton Beach in 1990s. Judith Keall(MP) watches Basil Vertongen being manhandled by unamed swimmer.

Colour photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

95 FM announcer Terry Watt with microphone in his hand at the Foxton Beach Polar swim on 20 June 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Participants line up prior to entering the water at the Foxton Beach Polar swim 20th June 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Participants leaving the water at the Foxton Beach Polar Swim on 20 June 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Skating rink. Bottom of Oxford St. just near Stuckey St. north of (now) Wisharts Textile Factory.”

An unidentified girl on roller skates at the skating rink, Oxford St., Levin. The rink was located immediately opposite the Principal’s house at Levin School, and the apex of this house (now, 2001, the Information Centre) can be seen above the rink wall in the centre of the picture. This site is used today as a car park for workers at Wisharts.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Show jumping at the Horowhenua A P& I Show on 23rd January 2000

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Mounted black and white photograph attached to white card.

Foxton School First XV Rugby 1962. Those in the photograph from left to right:-

Back Row – Mr Nankerville, Rex Borck, ? Taylor, Cliff Huff, Unknown, Unknown

Middle Row – Bevan Parlato, Grant Smith, Maurice Stretch, Victor Timu, Fraser Kuiniti, Unknown, Unknown

Front Row – Glen Williams, Philip Skipper, Paul Roore, Eric Gregory, Unknown, Unknown

Black and white mounted photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Mounted black and white photograph attached to white card.

Foxton School First XV Rugby 1964. Those in photograph from left to right:-

Back Row – Michael Shailer, Unknown, Peter Baird, Gary Kimura, Craig Williams

Middle Row – Mr Nankerville, Robert Ward, Ivan Harvey, Scott Williams, John Rickerby, Bruce Cooper, Robert Merlo

Front Row – Terry Betty, James McLaughlin, Fraser Kuiniti, Henry McDonald, Wayne Winiata

Black and white mounted photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Inscription on reverse reads: “For R E Henderson. Donated V Doyle 52 Queen Street Levin nee V Henderson. Cr diagonally across from the P.O.”

Two cyclists prepare to start a race while a crowd stands on the street to watch. The photograph has been taken in Oxford Street at the intersection with Queen Street, looking north. The north west corner of the intersection has a book arcade which faces both Queen and Oxford Streets.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription across the top reads:- “Levin Wanderers Football Club 1909.” Inscription at side reads:- “points for 163 Against 57.” Inscriptions on back read:- “To Flora C McDonald from Joslyn C Saxon.” and “Mrs R A MacDonald, Winchester St, Levin.”

Players and officials of the 1909 Levin Wanderers Football Club. The names of those appearing in the photo have been written above and below the print.

Inscription at the right-hand side reads:- “Points for 163 Against 57.”

Those appearing in the photo are : Back row from left to right – Coote, 5/8; Arcus, W. Ford.; W Winiata, Ford.; Douglas, Ford.; M Winiata, 5/8; Anderson, Ford.; N Winiata, 3/4.; Bolton, Ford.; Saxon, Ford.; Second row from left to right – Winiata, V Pd.; Hitchings, 5/8; J Proctor, V P; Burns, F. Back; Hankin, Pres; Sciascia, Ford.; Rhodes, V P; Front row from left to right – Hailnon, 1/2; N Winiata, 3/4; Hopu, 3/4; MacKenzie, Ford.; Everett, 3/4.

Inscriptions on back read: “To Flora C McDonald from Joslyn C Saxon.” and “Mrs R A MacDonald, Winchester Street, Levin.”

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on front reads:- “Flora & Gypsy Show 1911.”

Flora MacDonald seated in a gig and driving a horse (Gypsy). Flora is dressed in a dark jacket with a white blouse or cravat underneath, and a bowler hat. The lower portion of her clothing is not visible. The horse is facing away from the camera and is heavily harnessed and is wearing blinkers.

Inscription on the front reads: “Flora & Gypsy Show 1911.”

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Unknown woman on horse at the Levin Racing Club stables, Mako Mako Road, Levin

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with #.0009b on back)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

St Joseph’s students with an adult supporter at the Primary Schools Athletics meeting at the Courtesy Ford Domain held on 15th March 2000

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

A young athlete ready to race at the Forms 1 and 2 Athletics Day at the Courtesy Ford Domain on 16th March 2000.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

A young high-jumper in action at the Levin Primary Schools Athletcs Day at Courtesy Ford Domain held on 15th March 2000.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Skateboarders doing their thing at the old skate board ramp at the corner of Bath and Salisbury Streets Levin on 15th March 2000.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”