Westmere, Manawatū-Whanganui

Westmere is a lake and rural community in the Whanganui District and Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.

The settlement was established in the late 19th century, with a school being opened near the lake in 1894. Seven generations of the Laird family have been involved in the school, including school co-founder Alex Laird and founding teacher Emma Laird. The buildings were built by local families, and the soil for the grounds was transported with horses and drays from local farms.^[1]

Former residents include Wellington paediatrician Dr Brierley Emmett and concert pianist Liam Wooding.^[1]

Westmere School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,^[2][3] with a roll of 231 as of August 2024.^[4]

Between 1994 and 2006, under principal Bill Greening, the school was rebuilt with two new adventure playgrounds. The school board of trustees and parent trustee association raised an average of $30,000 per annum to fund the improvements.^[1]

39°53′49″S 174°59′43″E / 39.896858°S 174.995219°E / -39.896858; 174.995219

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