Seddon, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Marlborough, New Zealand
Marlborough is one of the regions of New Zealand, located in the northeast of the South Island. Marlborough is a unitary authority, both a region and a district, and its council is located at Blenheim. Marlborough is known for its dry climate, the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, and sauvignon blanc...
. It is located on State Highway 1, 25 kilometres south of Blenheim
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough, in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the regional council. It has a population of The area which surrounds the town is well known as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry...
and 20 km north of Ward
Ward, New Zealand
Ward is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1, 20 kilometres south of Seddon. Kaikoura is 82 km to the southwest...
. Seddon is located close to the mouths of the Awatere
Awatere River
The Awatere River is a large river flowing through Marlborough, New Zealand. Flowing along the trace of the active Awatere Fault, it runs northeast through a straight valley to the west of the Inland Kaikoura mountains...
and Blind Rivers, and also close to the Lake Grassmere salt works.
Salt and lime are major local industries, and the Awatere Valley is a developing wine region.
The population was 510 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 36 from 2001.
The town's best known structure is a joint single-lane road-rail bridge spanning the Awatere River which was in service until October 2007. A two lane road bridge has replaced the road bridge component. The railway line continues over the old historic bridge which is the Main North Line and a daily service in each direction of the TranzCoastal passenger express stops in Seddon.
A train derailment at Blind River, south of Seddon, on 25 February 1948, killed six people and injured 40 others.
The town was named for former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
Richard Seddon
Richard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
.
Education
Seddon School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile ratingSocio-Economic Decile
Decile, Socio-Economic Decile or Socio-Economic Decile Band is a widely used measure in education in New Zealand used to target funding and support to more needy schools....
of 5 and a roll of 110.