Cheviot, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Cheviot is a town in the Hurunui District
of north Canterbury
, on the east coast of the South Island
of New Zealand
. It is on the Main North Line railway and State Highway 1
approximately 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) north of Christchurch
. It was originally called Mackenzie after politician John McKenzie, who was closely identified with the settlement of Cheviot. This name was “in widespread use for a decade or two” but gradually fell into disuse. The post office was always known as Cheviot and by at least 1913 the township too was generally known as Cheviot.
, the population of Cheviot was 390 — a decrease of three from the previous 2001 census. A further 980 people lived in the rural areas serviced by the town or in adjacent villages such as Domett, Parnassus, Gore Bay and Port Robinson.
, is now only populated by farms and a petrol station, with the Old Main Road/Hurunui River Mouth Road junction. Next to this junction is the old Domett Railway Station, relocated as a cafe. Domett Service Station provides after-hours sale of fuel (with surcharge): most service stations in the area close around 6pm.
is slightly larger than the others but the local Parnassus School has recently shut down. The famous Waiau River
road/rail bridge was here, before being abandoned and replaced with a new road bridge. Prior to the opening of the old bridge in the 1930s a ferry
across the river carried goods north and south. The Waiau River ends not far away however access to the river mouth must be made over farm property with the owner's permission. On the State Highway north of Parnassus is Leader Road which leads to the townships of Waiau, Rotherham
, Culverden
and Hanmer Springs
.
Of note is Cathedral Gully, a spectacular weathered clay canyon.
may still be seen, but it is rather dangerous.
It was founded in 1851 by Frederick Weld
and Charles Clifford. He had gained his impression when walking from Lyttelton to Flaxbourne, in Marlborough. Clifford landed sheep on the beach just south of the Blythe River which was later be going to be known as Stonyhurst Station, named after Stonyhurst College
in England where they were both educated.
The farm originally occupied nearly 30000 hectares (74,131.5 acre), the whole of the Blythe Valley. About 12000 hectares (29,652.6 acre) was sold in 1863, and a further 4000 hectares (9,884.2 acre) a decade later. In about 1900, much of the rest of the land was subdivided. The current station is about one tenth of the original area.
The area is described by the local authority as "a potentially significant natural area", and the manager's cottage is a Category II protected building under the Historic Places Act.
Cheviot Area School is a composite, co-educational school catering for Year 1-13 students. It also has a wider role providing continuing education, facilities and support for community groups. The closest main contributing school, Parnassus, a year 1-6 school closed in 2008. The community contains two pre-schools - Cheviot Learning Centre and The Tree Hut. There is very strong community support for the school and an active Home & School Association.
Cheviot Area School competes in the CASAFest (Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival) sport
ing competition with schools in Akaroa
, Amuri
, Hawarden
, Oxford
, and Rangiora.
The school partakes in international exchanges with schools in Japan
and Canada
.
Hurunui District
The Hurunui District is a political district on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, north of Christchurch, New Zealand. It forms part of the Canterbury region and stretches from the east coast to the main divide. Its land area is ....
of north Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
, on the east coast of the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is on the Main North Line railway and State Highway 1
State Highway 1 (New Zealand)
State Highway 1 is the longest and most significant road in the New Zealand roading network, running the length of both main islands. It appears on road maps as SH 1 and on road signs as a white number 1 on a red shield, but it has the official designations SH 1N in the North Island, SH 1S in the...
approximately 110 kilometres (68.4 mi) north of Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
. It was originally called Mackenzie after politician John McKenzie, who was closely identified with the settlement of Cheviot. This name was “in widespread use for a decade or two” but gradually fell into disuse. The post office was always known as Cheviot and by at least 1913 the township too was generally known as Cheviot.
Population
According to the 2006 New Zealand censusNew Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
The New Zealand government department Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census scheduled for 2011 was cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, however, and legislation introduced to hold the next...
, the population of Cheviot was 390 — a decrease of three from the previous 2001 census. A further 980 people lived in the rural areas serviced by the town or in adjacent villages such as Domett, Parnassus, Gore Bay and Port Robinson.
The region
Cheviot is a service town for highway traffic and for a pastoral farming district that is currently predominant in sheep farming. Based in the township are a volunteer fire and ambulance services and two full-time police officers. Surrounding settlements include:Domett
Domett , originally a railway townRailway town
A railway town is a settlement that originated or was greatly developed because of a railway station or junction at its site.In Victorian Britain, the spread of railways greatly affected the fate of many small towns...
, is now only populated by farms and a petrol station, with the Old Main Road/Hurunui River Mouth Road junction. Next to this junction is the old Domett Railway Station, relocated as a cafe. Domett Service Station provides after-hours sale of fuel (with surcharge): most service stations in the area close around 6pm.
Spotswood
Spotswood has an old hall that is still used regularly, and mainly consists of farms around Waiau East Road.Parnassus
ParnassusParnassus, New Zealand
Parnassus is a town located in the Canterbury region's Hurunui District on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is located on the north bank of the Waiau River and the 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings gave its usually resident population as 900, a decline of 6.8% or...
is slightly larger than the others but the local Parnassus School has recently shut down. The famous Waiau River
Waiau River, Canterbury
Waiau River is a river in north Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand. The Waiau River rises in the Spenser Mountains and flows eastward to the Pacific Ocean. The Waiau River has the second largest catchment of North Canterbury's rivers....
road/rail bridge was here, before being abandoned and replaced with a new road bridge. Prior to the opening of the old bridge in the 1930s a ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
across the river carried goods north and south. The Waiau River ends not far away however access to the river mouth must be made over farm property with the owner's permission. On the State Highway north of Parnassus is Leader Road which leads to the townships of Waiau, Rotherham
Rotherham, New Zealand
Rotherham is a small village located in the Hurunui District of the Canterbury region in New Zealand's South Island. It is located between Culverden and Waiau on State Highway 70, and is near the south bank of the Waiau River, a popular location for trout and salmon fishing.On 8 February 1886, a...
, Culverden
Culverden
Culverden is a small town in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. The 2006 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings had a usually-resident population of 420. This represented an increase of 7% or 27 people from the previous census in 2001.Culverden is located on State Highway...
and Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs is a small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 65 kilometres southwest of Kaikoura , in the Hurunui District. The town lies on a minor road 9 kilometres north of State Highway 7, the northern route between Christchurch and the West Coast...
.
Gore Bay
Gore Bay is a great surfing beach, and has many summer beach houses, along with 14 permanent residents. There are two local camping grounds, each with great beach access and business. It is a popular New Year's Eve venue.Of note is Cathedral Gully, a spectacular weathered clay canyon.
Port Robinson
Once a prospering port, Port Robinson is now just a wreck. The old wharfWharf
A wharf or quay is a structure on the shore of a harbor where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.Such a structure includes one or more berths , and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships.A wharf commonly comprises a fixed...
may still be seen, but it is rather dangerous.
Stonyhurst Station
Stonyhurst is a farming station in the Blythe Valley, southwest of Cheviot.It was founded in 1851 by Frederick Weld
Frederick Weld
Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld, GCMG , was a New Zealand politician and a governor of various British colonies. He was the sixth Premier of New Zealand, and later served as Governor of Western Australia, Governor of Tasmania, and Governor of the Straits Settlements.-Early life:Weld was born near...
and Charles Clifford. He had gained his impression when walking from Lyttelton to Flaxbourne, in Marlborough. Clifford landed sheep on the beach just south of the Blythe River which was later be going to be known as Stonyhurst Station, named after Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
in England where they were both educated.
The farm originally occupied nearly 30000 hectares (74,131.5 acre), the whole of the Blythe Valley. About 12000 hectares (29,652.6 acre) was sold in 1863, and a further 4000 hectares (9,884.2 acre) a decade later. In about 1900, much of the rest of the land was subdivided. The current station is about one tenth of the original area.
The area is described by the local authority as "a potentially significant natural area", and the manager's cottage is a Category II protected building under the Historic Places Act.
Schooling
Schooling in Cheviot commenced in 1894. The first school was the McKenzie School, where the A&P Showgrounds are today. The name changed to Cheviot School in 1931.From its inception, the school provided primary education up to Form Two only. In 1937, it became the Cheviot District High School. The increased staffing and resources received with its new status enabled it to become the progressive school it is today. Students now have the opportunity to study courses throughout the full range of compulsory education. Use is made of distance learning to ensure a broad range of subjects and programmes for Year 11-13 students.Cheviot Area School is a composite, co-educational school catering for Year 1-13 students. It also has a wider role providing continuing education, facilities and support for community groups. The closest main contributing school, Parnassus, a year 1-6 school closed in 2008. The community contains two pre-schools - Cheviot Learning Centre and The Tree Hut. There is very strong community support for the school and an active Home & School Association.
Cheviot Area School competes in the CASAFest (Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival) sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
ing competition with schools in Akaroa
Akaroa
Akaroa is a village on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbour of the same name—the name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for 'Long Harbour'.- Overview :...
, Amuri
Amuri, New Zealand
Amuri County is one of the former counties of New Zealand, in the area that is now the north of Canterbury Region. The county council was based in Culverden from 1890 until 1989. Other towns in the county include Hanmer Springs and Waiau...
, Hawarden
Hawarden, New Zealand
Hawarden is a small town in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It is located near Waikari, just off State Highway 7. From 15 December 1884 until 15 January 1978, the town was served by the Waiau Branch, a branch line railway that at one stage was planned to become the Main North...
, Oxford
Oxford, New Zealand
Oxford is a small town of 1,716 people serving the farming community of North Canterbury, New Zealand. It is part of the Waimakariri District. Oxford is a linear town, approximately two kilometres long. For a time Oxford was serviced by the Oxford Branch railway, and had two stations, East Oxford...
, and Rangiora.
The school partakes in international exchanges with schools in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
External links
- Cheviot information at the Hurunui District Council
- Cheviot Promotions Group