Masterton is the largest town (and local government district) in the Wairarapa region in the southeastern North Island of New Zealand. It is 85 kilometres north-east of Wellington and 70 kilometres south of Palmerston North, and stands on the Ruamahanga River. Masterton is a thriving community with a 2001 population of 19,497. Named after pioneer Joseph Masters, it was first settled by Europeans on 21 May 1854. It gained borough status in 1877.