Cheviot
Town
A straight street, divided by painted lines, passing through a town. The street is lined by parked vehicles, trees and buildings. Two men dressed in t-shirts and short are crossing the road from left to right in the middle distance.
Hall St (State Highway 1), the main street of Cheviot
Coordinates: 42°48′46″S 173°16′26″E / 42.81278°S 173.27389°E / -42.81278; 173.27389
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authorityHurunui District
WardEast Ward
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityHurunui District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of HurunuiMarie Black
 • Kaikoura MPStuart Smith
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
[1]
 • Total1.06 km2 (0.41 sq mi)
Elevation
60 m (200 ft)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total360
 • Density340/km2 (880/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Postcode
7310
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu
Websitehttp://www.cheviotnz.com/

Cheviot (/ˈtʃɪviət/) is a town in the Hurunui District of north Canterbury, on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1, approximately 112 kilometres (70 mi) north of Christchurch and 68 kilometres (42 mi) south of Kaikōura.

History and naming

The government under Minister of Lands John McKenzie bought the Cheviot Hills estate between 1892 and 1893 from the descendants of William Robinson.[3][4] The Cheviot Hills estate was broken into 54 farms and a township, which was originally called McKenzie.[5] This name was "in widespread use for a decade or two" but gradually fell into disuse. The Cheviot county council was formed 1895. In 1901 the township had a population of 113.[6]

A large earthquake measuring 6.9 hit near Cheviot on 16 November 1901. A number of buildings were badly damaged and one death was reported.[7]

The post office was always known as Cheviot and by at least 1913 the township too was generally known as Cheviot.[8] Cheviot Hills estate had been named by its original lease holder, John Scott Caverhill, after his home country, the Cheviot Hills straddling the Anglo-Scottish border.[9]

The Robinson homestead burned down in 1936. Its foundations and grounds became part of the Cheviot Hills Domain, with the homestead's original front steps part of the cricket pavilion.[10]

The Cheviot County rural water supply was opened in 1971. It cost $420,000 and supplies water to an area of 128,000 acres through 190 miles of pipes. A fountain, which sits outside the local school, was built to commemorate the event.[11]

Demographics

Cheviot is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers 1.06 km2 (0.41 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 360 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 340 people per km2. Cheviot is part of the larger Parnassus statistical area.[12]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901219—    
2001393+0.59%
2006390−0.15%
2013366−0.90%
2018372+0.33%
Source: [13][14]
Cheviot County rural water supply fountain. Installed in 1971.

Cheviot had a population of 372 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (1.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 18 people (−4.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 177 households, comprising 183 males and 186 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female, with 60 people (16.1%) aged under 15 years, 39 (10.5%) aged 15 to 29, 144 (38.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 129 (34.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.1% European/Pākehā, 21.8% Māori, 4.0% Pasifika, 2.4% Asian, and 0.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 45.2% had no religion, 40.3% were Christian, 1.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Muslim and 0.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (5.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 93 (29.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 21 people (6.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 108 (34.6%) people were employed full-time, 63 (20.2%) were part-time, and 9 (2.9%) were unemployed.[14]

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 one full-time police officer. Surrounding settlements include:

Domett

Originally a railway town, Domett is now only populated by farms and a petrol station. Next to the Old Main Road/Hurunui Mouth Road junction is the old Domett Railway Station, relocated and refurbished 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

Parnassus has a higher population than the other settlements, although the local Parnassus School was closed in 2008.[15] 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 owners' permission. On the State Highway north of Parnassus is Leader Road which leads to the townships of Waiau, Rotherham, Culverden and Hanmer Springs.

Gore Bay

Gore Bay in 1874, with the house behind the cabbage tree belonging to Eliza Robinson

Gore Bay is a surfing beach with summer beach houses and 14 permanent residents. There are two local camping grounds, each with 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

The Wool Season depicting the steamer Wakatu off Port Robinson, 1885, by John Gibb, oil on canvas

Once a prospering port, Port Robinson is now an abandoned wreck. The old wharf may still be seen, but it is in a dangerous state of disrepair.

Stonyhurst Station

Stonyhurst is a farming station in the Blythe Valley, southwest of Cheviot.

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 known as Stonyhurst Station, named after Stonyhurst College in England where they were both educated.

The farm originally occupied nearly 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres), the whole of the Blythe Valley. About 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) was sold in 1863, and a further 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) 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.[16]

The area is described by the local authority as "a potentially significant natural area",[17] and the manager's cottage is a Category II protected building under the Historic Places Act.[18]

Education

Cheviot Area School

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. In 1937, it became the Cheviot District High School.[19]

Cheviot Area School is a composite, co-educational school for Year 1 to 13 students. It also has a wider role providing continuing education, facilities and support for community groups.[19] The closest main contributing school, Parnassus, a year 1-6 school, closed in 2008.[20] It had a roll of 195 as of April 2023.[21]

The large oak trees in the school grounds were planted to commemorate those former students who died in World War 2.[22]

Cheviot Area School competes in the Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival sporting competition with schools in Akaroa, Amuri, Hawarden, Oxford, and Rangiora. It also takes part in international exchanges with schools in Japan and Canada.[20]

The township has two preschools, Cheviot Learning Centre and The Tree Hut.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. 1 2 "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)
  3. ↑ Brooking, Tom. "McKenzie, John 1839–1901". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Gardner, William James. "Robinson, William - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Subdividing Cheviot Hills - roadside stories". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "[Cheviot and McKenzie] | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "Major New Zealand earthquakes since 1855 - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Wilson, John. "Cheviot Kingdom to County". Rangiora Printing Service, 1993, page 151. ISBN 0-473-10321-5. The difference in spelling between politician John McKenzie and the MacKenzie township is attributed to a mistake made by the then Commissioner of Crown Lands, Canterbury, John Marchant, on an early map.
  9. ↑ Reed, A. W. (2010). Peter Dowling (ed.). Place Names of New Zealand. Rosedale, North Shore: Raupo. p. 79. ISBN 9780143204107.
  10. ↑ "Cheviot's History". Welcome to Cheviot, New Zealand!. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  11. ↑ Plaque on the fountain.
  12. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Parnassus
  13. ↑ Cyclopedia of New Zealand. "Cheviot and McKenzie". NZETC. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  14. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7023857 and 7023858.
  15. ↑ Silverstripe. "Parnassus Hall · Hurunui District Council". www.hurunui.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  16. ↑ Crean, Mike (8 March 2008). "Where a station once grew". The Press. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  17. ↑ "Natural Environment" (PDF). District Plan. Hurunui District Council. p. 83. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  18. ↑ "Heritage" (PDF). District Plan. Hurunui District Council. p. 95. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
  19. 1 2 "Cheviot Area School Official School Website". cheviot.school.nz/.
  20. 1 2 "Cheviot Area School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  21. ↑ "Cheviot Area School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  22. ↑ Plaque in the school grounds

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