Blenheim, New Zealand
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Blenheim
Waiharakeke ( Kaikoura Electorate | |
---|---|
Suburbs | List
|
Government | |
• Mayor | Nadine Taylor |
Area | |
• Total | 27.46 km2 (10.60 sq mi) |
Population (June 2023)[1] | |
• Total | 30,500 |
• Density | 1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi) |
Postcode | 7201 |
Area code | 03 |
Blenheim (
Blenheim is named after the Battle of Blenheim (1704), where troops led by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough defeated a combined French and Bavarian force. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "flax stream" for the town's Māori name, Waiharakeke.[3]
History
The sheltered coastal bays of Marlborough supported a small Māori population possibly as early as the 12th century. Archaeological evidence dates Polynesian human remains uncovered at Wairau Bar to the 13th century. The rich sea and bird life of the area would easily have supported such small communities. As the Māori population of the area increased, they developed the land to sustain the growing population. In the early 1700s canals and waterways were dug among the natural river courses, allowing for the first forms of farming in the area including that of fish and native water fowl. A total of approximately 18 km of channels are known to have been excavated before the arrival of European settlers. Māori in the Marlborough Region also cultivated crops, including kūmara (sweet potato).
The area is also home to the first serious clash of arms between Māori and the British settlers after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Wairau Affray which occurred in what is now the village of Tuamarina.
The settlement was originally known to Europeans as The Beaver or Beaverton[4] due to its frequent flooding.[5]
Although the early history of Marlborough was closely associated with the
Geography
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Situated on the Wairau Plain, the town is mostly flat with only its southernmost fringe rising to the base of the Wither Hills. As the plain is surrounded by mountains on all but the eastern flank, which is open to Cook Strait, it is relatively well protected from the frequent southerly weather fronts occurring during winters. The area does however experience some high wind events during the course of the year, especially from the west where the wind is funnelled down the Wairau Valley directly at the town. Open and exposed areas in and around Blenheim are also hit quite hard by winds blowing inland from Cook Strait. Blenheim sits at the confluence of the
Climate
The climate is generally very settled, largely due to the
Summers are typically warm, dry and sunny. Winter mornings are cool and frosty. Snowfall is rare as the town is sheltered from cold southerly weather by the mountain ranges to the south. Rainfall and humidity is highest in winter and early spring, between June and October. The town's average annual rainfall is a little more than 700mm, with 81.5 precipitation days.
Thunderstorms are an uncommon occurrence due to the sheltered climate. There is a higher likelihood in summer, when afternoon heating can generate a buildup of clouds above the ranges.
The highest recorded temperature is 37.8 °C, recorded on 7 February 1973.[6] The lowest is −8.8 °C.
Climate data for Blenheim (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.1 (75.4) |
23.8 (74.8) |
21.9 (71.4) |
19.0 (66.2) |
16.0 (60.8) |
13.3 (55.9) |
12.6 (54.7) |
13.8 (56.8) |
15.8 (60.4) |
18.0 (64.4) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
18.4 (65.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.0 (64.4) |
17.6 (63.7) |
15.8 (60.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
10.2 (50.4) |
7.7 (45.9) |
7.0 (44.6) |
8.2 (46.8) |
10.3 (50.5) |
12.2 (54.0) |
14.2 (57.6) |
16.5 (61.7) |
12.6 (54.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.8 (53.2) |
11.5 (52.7) |
9.8 (49.6) |
6.9 (44.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
2.2 (36.0) |
1.5 (34.7) |
2.6 (36.7) |
4.7 (40.5) |
6.5 (43.7) |
8.4 (47.1) |
10.8 (51.4) |
6.8 (44.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 48.9 (1.93) |
49.4 (1.94) |
46.5 (1.83) |
52.7 (2.07) |
60.6 (2.39) |
70.7 (2.78) |
74.3 (2.93) |
62.2 (2.45) |
65.2 (2.57) |
67.4 (2.65) |
55.0 (2.17) |
58.1 (2.29) |
711.0 (27.99) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 6.7 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 81.5 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
68.7 | 74.2 | 74.9 | 77.5 | 81.5 | 82.3 | 83.7 | 80.8 | 73.3 | 72.1 | 67.7 | 67.5 | 75.4 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 262.2 | 223.7 | 230.8 | 193.7 | 172.7 | 151.6 | 157.1 | 183.9 | 189.5 | 226.7 | 234.7 | 248.8 | 2,475.3 |
Source: NIWA Climate Data[7] |
Demographics
The Blenheim urban area, as defined by Statistics New Zealand, covers 27.46 km2 (10.60 sq mi) and incorporates thirteen statistical areas.[8] It had an estimated population of 30,500 as of June 2023,[1] with a population density of 1,111 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 23,694 | — |
2013 | 24,606 | +0.54% |
2018 | 26,835 | +1.75% |
Source: [9] |
Before the 2023 census, the urban area had a smaller boundary, covering 17.20 km2 (6.64 sq mi).
Ethnicities were 85.3% European/Pākehā, 13.7% Māori, 3.9% Pasifika, 5.6% Asian, and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 18.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.8% had no religion, 37.6% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 3,177 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 5,022 (22.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 2,673 people (12.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 10,800 (48.7%) people were employed full-time, 3,258 (14.7%) were part-time, and 570 (2.6%) were unemployed.[9]
SA2 name | Population | Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blenheim Central | 1,152 | 489 | 37.1 years | $28,800 |
Mayfield | 1,674 | 708 | 38.2 years | $29,400 |
Redwoodtown East | 2,742 | 1,224 | 42.2 years | $29,200 |
Redwoodtown West | 2,613 | 1,140 | 43.7 years | $26,700 |
Riversdale-Islington | 2,319 | 909 | 38.3 years | $28,900 |
Springlands | 3,321 | 1,317 | 48.4 years | $30,100 |
Whitney East | 2,394 | 1,053 | 44.0 years | $29,000 |
Whitney West | 2,652 | 1,137 | 41.7 years | $31,500 |
Witherlea East | 2,808 | 1,155 | 44.2 years | $34,400 |
Witherlea West | 2,601 | 1,095 | 46.4 years | $35,400 |
Yelverton | 2,559 | 1,092 | 47.7 years | $29,000 |
Suburbs
|
|
Economy
The town's economy is based on agricultural services, with
Wine production
Viticulture also has a very large impact on the local economy both directly, by way of employment and servicing required, and also by way of 'wine tourism'. The local cellars attracted hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists every year. The area also hosts the annual
With its growing international critical recognition, much of the Marlborough wine industry has come to be dominated by large firms, owned by major New Zealand companies or offshore investors. There are over 50 vineyards near Blenheim. Agricultural land prices in the Wairau Valley increased dramatically in the 1990s and 2000s.
Lifestyle
The sunny, pleasant
The Marlborough Region has a wide range of predominantly outdoor leisure activities and the relaxed lifestyle and the flourishing wine and gourmet food industry in Marlborough are enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.
Events and points of interest
Omaka Aerodrome, south of the town centre, is the setting for the two-yearly Classic Fighters Marlborough airshow. With a large emphasis on aircraft of World War One, it has been held since 2001.
Seymour Square and Pollard Park are two of the town centres main attractions for walks and general tourism. Seymour Square is an open public area in the centre, containing the War Memorial and Clock Tower, unveiled in 1928, classified as a "Category I" ("places of 'special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value'") historic place by Heritage New Zealand.[11] The Square was named after Henry Seymour.[12] Pollard Park is a large public park including children's play areas, native shrubbery, rose gardens, a landscaped waterway, and is home to the Blenheim Golf Club and its 9-hole course, the Marlborough Tennis club and its courts, and Blenheim Croquet Club. They are dry and arid ranges which have previously been the site of severe grass fires.
The
Transport
Air
Woodbourne Airport is a domestic airport and an RNZAF operational base. There are direct flights from Auckland and Wellington with Air New Zealand and from Wellington, Christchurch, and Paraparaumu with Sounds Air.[13]
Omaka Aerodrome, to the south of the town centre, is used solely by private and vintage aircraft. The Classic Fighters airshow (based mainly on World War I and II aircraft) is held biennially at Easter.
Road
Rail
Blenheim is on the
A major rail freight facility is north of Blenheim at Spring Creek.
The narrow-gauge Blenheim Riverside Railway runs through the town.
Infrastructure and services
Electricity
The Marlborough Electric Power Board (MEPB) was formed in October 1923 and established the Blenheim's first public supply in April 1927, following the commissioning of the Waihopai hydroelectric power station 40 km southwest of Blenheim. Two diesel generators were commissioned at Springlands in 1930 and 1937 to supplement the supply from Waihopai. The town was connected to
Today, Marlborough Lines owns and operates the electricity distribution network servicing the town, with electricity fed from
Water supply and sanitation
Blenheim's water supply is drawn from the Wairau aquifer via nine bores and is treated at two plants in Middle Renwick Road and Bomford Street.[21]
Education
The first school opened in 1859. By 1875 there were three classes: Blenheim Upper Boys', Blenheim Lower Boys', and Blenheim Girls' and Infants'. Blenheim High School was formed within the school in 1879.[22]
Catholic schools for boys and girls were established in 1872, replaced by St Mary's Boys' school in 1886. In 1929 St Mary's was rebuilt after a fire.[23]
Marlborough High School, a coeducational secondary school, was founded in Blenheim in 1900. In 1919 it changed its name to Marlborough College. The intermediate section was split to form Bohally Intermediate in 1956. The college was split into separate boys' and girls' schools in 1963, with Marlborough Boys' College (MBC) retaining the existing site and Marlborough Girls' College (MGC) moving to a new site.[24] An intention to relocate both Marlborough Boys' College and Marlborough Girls' College on the site currently occupied by MGC and Bohally Intermediate was announced in 2019, with Bohally Intermediate relocating to the current MBC site on Stephenson Street.[25] The relocation plan was scrapped in 2024.[26]
There are currently 11 schools in the Blenheim urban area: [27]
- Blenheim School is a state contributing primary (Year 1-6) primary school. It has a roll of approximately 146.
- Bohally Intermediate is a state intermediate (Year 7–8) school opened in 1957 following a split from Marlborough College. It has a roll of approximately 527.
- Marlborough Boys' College is a state boys' secondary (Year 9–13) school. It opened in 1963 following the split of Marlborough College into separate boys' and girls schools, and has a roll of approximately 1,010.
- Marlborough Girls' College is a state girls' secondary (Year 9–13) school. It opened in 1963 following the split of Marlborough College into separate boys' and girls school, and has a roll of approximately 949.
- Mayfield School is a state contributing primary (Year 1-6) school in Mayfield. It has a roll of approximately 92.
- Redwoodtown School is a state full primary (Year 1-8) school in Redwoodtown. It has a roll of approximately 298.
- Richmond View School is a state-integrated Christian composite (Year 1-13) school in Redwoodtown. It has a roll of approximately 328.
- Springlands School is a state contributing primary (Year 1-6) school in Springlands. It has a roll of approximately 356.
- St Mary's School is a state-integrated Catholic full primary (Years 1-8) school. It has a roll of approximately 157.
- Whitney Street School is a state contributing primary (Year 1-6) primary school. It has a roll of approximately 329.
- Witherlea School is a state contributing primary (Year 1-6) primary school in Witherlea. It has a roll of approximately 336.
Other primary schools are in the surrounding localities of Renwick, Fairhall, Grovetown, Rapaura and Riverlands.
The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology has a campus in Blenheim.[28]
Media
Blenheim is served by a variety of print publications. The major daily newspaper serving the area is
Radio
Blenheim is served by 22 FM radio stations. The town can also receive AM and FM radio stations from Wellington, due to the straight line-of-sight across Cook Strait and the high power of the transmitters.
Notable people
- Bob Bell (politician)
- Rosina Buckman, opera singer
- Charles Burns (doctor)
- Frank Devine, editor and journalist
- Jim Eyles, archeologist
- William Girling, member of Parliament
- Greg Hegglun, cricketer
- Cameron Howieson, footballer
- Jamie Joseph, rugby union player
- Elizabeth Lissaman, potter
- Leon MacDonald, rugby union player
- Jack Macdonald (sportsman), rower
- Ben May (rugby union), rugby union player
- Liam Messam, rugby union player
- John Newton (poet)
- Ben O'Keeffe, rugby union referee
- Humphrey O'Leary, Chief Justice of New Zealand
- Sam Prattley, rugby union player
- Queensland Legislative Assembly
- Callum Saunders (cyclist)
- Charles Saunders (rower)
- Ben Sigmund, footballer
- Robin Slow, artist
- Alan Sutherland, rugby union player
- David Teece, organizational economist and professor
- Ian Wedde, author
- Richard Wild (judge), Chief Justice of New Zealand
- State Services Commissioner
References
- Bibliography
- Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.
- Notes
- ^ a b c "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ "Te Waiharakeke/Blenheim Heritage". Destination Marlborough. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- ^ "Blenheim - NZHistory, New Zealand history online". 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018.
- ^ "Watery Marlborough settlement was never 'Beavertown'". Stuff. 21 January 2016.
- ^ "Welcome to the Climate Database". cliflo.niwa.co.nz.
- ^ "Climate Data and Activities". NIWA. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Springlands (307500), Yelverton (307600), Mayfield (307700), Whitney West (307800), Blenheim Central (307900), Riversdale-Islington (308000), Whitney East (308100), Redwoodtown West (308200), Witherlea West (308300), Redwoodtown East (308400) and Witherlea East (308600).
- ^ "2018 Census place summaries | Stats NZ". www.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "War Memorial and Clock Tower". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ McLintock, Alexander Hare; Brian Newton Davis, M. A.; Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "BLENHEIM". An encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sounds Air – Routes". Retrieved 26 September 2016.
- ^ Maria Slade (20 January 2016). "New Zealand's biggest town without traffic lights: Blenheim". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Selina Powell (25 May 2016). "New Zealand Transport Agency investigates State Highway 1 between Picton and Christchurch". Stuff.co.nz.
- ^ "Urgent calls for long-distance passenger services to stay as KiwiRail cuts operations". Newshub. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "Search the List - Blenheim Railway Station - Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz.
- ^ "Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand - Blenheim Station". www.railheritage.org.nz. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- ^ "AtoJs Online — Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1945 Session I — D-01 PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT (BY THE HON. R. SEMPLE, MINISTER OF WORKS)". atojs.natlib.govt.nz. 1945. p. 11. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ "The History of Marlborough Lines". www.marlboroughlines.co.nz.
- ^ "Blenheim Water Supply - Marlborough District Council". www.marlborough.govt.nz. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ McIntosh, Alister; Redman, William Edward; Allen, William Raymond, eds. (1940). Marlborough: A Provincial History. Blenheim: Marlborough Provincial Historical Committee. pp. 338–349.
- ^ A. D. McIntosh, pp 328–329
- ^ "Marlborough Boys' College – History".
- ^ "About the Project". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
- ^ Gee, Samantha (27 February 2024). "Education Ministry does U-turn on school co-location project after spending $24m". Radio New Zealand.
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Marlborough Campus". Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 3 May 2008.