Jump to content

Opawa

Coordinates: 43°33′05″S 172°39′43″E / 43.551342°S 172.661937°E / -43.551342; 172.661937
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Opawa, New Zealand)

This article is about the suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. For places in Poland, see Opawa (disambiguation). For the city in the Czech Republic, see Opava.

Opawa
Suburb
Main retail area on Opawa Road, looking south-east towards Mount Cavendish
Main retail area on Opawa Road, looking south-east towards Mount Cavendish
Map
Coordinates: 43°33′05″S 172°39′43″E / 43.551342°S 172.661937°E / -43.551342; 172.661937
CountryNew Zealand
CityChristchurch
Local authorityChristchurch City Council
Electoral wardHeathcote
Community boardWaihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote
Establishedc. 1860s
Area
[1]
 • Land81 ha (200 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total1,330
Waltham Woolston
Opawa
St. Martins Hillsborough

Opawa (/oʊpɑːwɑː/) is an inner residential suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located approximately 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) south-east of the city centre. Prior to European settlement, much of the area consisted of marshlands and mixed-use vegetation. By the 1850s, the area was sparsely populated by settlers and became a dairying locality, with many of the early settlers being farmers and people of English descent. Opawa had little development in its early years as it transitioned into a residential suburb.

As Woolston emerged as an industrial hub nearby, Opawa was heavily urbanised. This transformed it into an upscale residential area with a population largely consisting of factory workers and businesspeople. Opawa and its neighbouring suburb of Hillsborough were also formerly home to multiple brickmaking and clay related industries. The suburb is predominantly residential, and lies mostly within a U-shaped bend of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River. Opawa was incorporated in to the Greater-Christchurch city area in October 1916.

At a national level, the suburb is part of the Christchurch Central parliamentary electorate. Locally, it is part of the Heathcote Ward for local body elections. The suburb contains three primary schools and two kindergartens. The suburb hosts two local sports clubs; the Opawa Bowling Club and the Opawa Lawn Tennis Club. Additional sporting amenities are located in Hansen Park which accommodates two rugby fields, two football fields and the clubrooms of a local athletics club.

Its population largely consists of European New Zealanders, and contains numerous landmarks known for their connection with the early settlers in the area. Notable individuals associated with the suburb include politician William Pember Reeves, wartime women's labour administrator Noeline Baker, and Anthony Wilding, one of New Zealand's most successful tennis players.

History

[edit]
See also: History of Christchurch

Māori settlement

[edit]

The Māori name for the area is Ōpāwaho, a name it shares with its neighbouring river.[3][4] It is a combination of Ō which means 'a part of' and pā and waho which means 'outer' or 'outside a defined area'.[5] A kāinga (Māori settlement) was located near the present-day Vincent Place and Judge Street intersection. It was also a resting place for travellers between Kaiapoi Pā and the Banks Peninsula. The land in this area was marshy and covered with raupō and tussock. Māori lived in the marshy regions of Opawa and used its surrounding swamps and the river as a source of lamprey and eels.[6][7]

The name of the village itself was Poho-Areare (meaning piegon breasted). It is also the name of an early rangatira (chief) of the settlement and the name is also applied to a walking track that led from the village over the sandhills to the kāinga in South New Brighton (Te Kai-a-Te-Karoro). Later, Tūrakipō was the Opawa settlement's chief. A hapū of Ngāi Tahu built the Poho-Areare village in the 18th century and the name given to this hapū was Ō-Roto-Repo meaning 'swamp dwellers'.[8][9]

European settlement

[edit]
Joshua Strange Williams, named his farm 'Opawa', originating from the Māori name for the area Ōpāwaho.

Early European settlement began in the 1850s, Opawa was sparsely populated by European settlers and the area south of Linwood and Woolston became an agricultural (dairying) locality. Early settlers in Opawa were farmers and people of English descent, many of whom came from relatively wealthy families.[10][11][12] It developed little during its early years in becoming a residential suburb, the centre of the locality was reportedly the corner of Locarno Street and Opawa Road. Opawa was established around a U-shaped bend of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River. A number of opulent houses were built on large sections. Up until the 1890s, the only regular means of transportation, was a stagecoach which ran along Opawa Road.[10][11]

Various names represented the area (such as Opawako and Opawaha) until 1862, when an early European settler, Joshua Strange Williams, addressed his 50 acres (20 ha) property as 'Opawa Farm' to the Lyttelton Times. 'Opawa' eventually becoming the established and recognised name for the area. Other noted early residents in the Opawa district included William Reeves, Edward Steane Harley, Thomas Tancred, and William Reeves.[13]

As Woolston emerged as an industrial hub nearby, the population of Opawa grew considerably, transforming it into a fashionable residential area.[13] Woolston developed as the centre of the country's rubber industry in the twentieth century. Subsequently, Opawa was urbanised as factory workers and businesspeople from Woolston's industrial areas relocated after being unable to find housing within Woolston itself.[14][15]

A number of brickmaking and clay industries were formerly based in Opawa, Hillsborough and the surrounding hills, which contributed in the development of Christchurch.[16][17]

Opawa suffered some damage in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake. A section of shops along Opawa Road had been closed due to the damage, while the other shops remained operating as usual, and several homes had been damaged by collapsing chimneys.[18] In the February 2011 earthquake, two churches in the suburb had some structural and surface damages.[19]

Geography

[edit]

In the 19th century, much of the area consisted of grasslands and mixed-use vegetation. Its surroundings largely consisted of marshlands and swamplands which were heavily connected to the ecosystem of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.[20][21] At present time, State Highway 76 (Brougham Street) and the Main South Line traverses through the suburb. Other suburbs nearby include, Murray Aynsley Hill, Huntsbury, St. Martins, Waltham, Hillsborough, and Linwood. Most of Opawa lies within a U-shaped bend in the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.[22]

Opawa's proximity to the river has resulted in numerous flooding incidents in the area.[23] Notable instances of significant flooding in the area occurred in August 1941, April 1962, and January 1980.[24] In 1986, the Woolston Cut began to allow flood waters to bypass a long loop of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.[25] In recent times, noted flooding incidents in Opawa occurred in 2014 and 2017.[26][27] The suburb's main roads are Opawa Road and Ensors Road, and the suburb's main retail precinct is centred on Opawa Road,[28] which was developed on one of the earliest settled routes, at the intersection of Hawford and Reeves Roads.[29] Opawa Road is no longer the primary thoroughfare through to Lyttelton and Heathcote Valley.[30]

Landmarks

[edit]
See also: List of historic places in Christchurch
Risingholme (July 2024)
St Marks Church (February 2022)

Opawa contains several landmarks and locations of historical interest, known for their connection with the early European settlers in the area:

  • Risingholme, a Victorian homestead built in 1864 by European settlers Mary and William Reeves. Up until 1943, the building was owned by several private owners. It was later purchased by philanthropist John McKenzie in 1943. The building was gifted to the community for the "health, amusement and instruction of the public". A community centre was established here in 1944.[31] It has a Category 2 listing with Heritage New Zealand.[32]
  • Another place of historical interest is an untitled house located on 41 Opawa Road. The section was taken up in 1851 by William Draper. Later in 1852, Alexander Sherwood Jackson bought the land. Later selling it to J. S. Williams the same year.[33] A businessman, William Wombwell Charters, built a house here in 1879. Opawa was a considered a desirable suburb at the time with lots of "gentlemen's estates".[34] The house has strong window elements and is fairly "French" in its character. Its location was formerly adjacent to the Opawa Farm.[33]
  • The Hollies was built in 1871, it is an early colonial house built by English-born mechanic Edward Richardson. The land it was built on was originally part of the 50 acre Opawa Farm, the site of The Hollies was later sold to Mr. Richardson. Richardson was responsible for overseeing the completion of the Lyttelton rail tunnel. Richardson was born in England where he trained as a civil engineer before emigrating to Christchurch. At the farther end of the house, is a billiards room which overlooks the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.[35] The Hollies is a Category 2 heritage-listed building.[36]
  • St Mark's Anglican Church is an Anglican church located on Opawa Road. Its foundation stone was laid in May 1865 by Bishop Selwyn, the first Primate of New Zealand.[13] In December 1949, the church was destroyed by fire. This severance with the church for many people was one of the few remaining links to Christchurch's early European settlers. A new church was constructed on the same site and opened four years later in 1953.[37]
  • Another landmark in Opawa is the Fifield located on 14 Hawford Road. It is unclear what exact year the Fifield was built but it is understood to have been in the early 1880's. The building is historically significant for its connection with civil engineer William Bray and pharmacist William Townend and his family. It is a large two storey mid-Victorian villa, that contains a smoking room, a nursery, and a servants' quarters.[38][39] After the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes, there was damage to dwelling's chimneys. They partially collapsed and were removed as a result.[40]
[edit]
  • Gallery of the suburb
  • Risingholme Park
    Risingholme Park
  • Reeves Road
    Reeves Road
  • Opawa's main retail area
    Opawa's main retail area

Governance

[edit]

Opawa was incorporated in to the Greater-Christchurch city area in October 1916. Its neighbouring suburb of Woolston remained a self-governing borough until amalgamation with the city in November 1921.[41][42] The Christchurch City Council administers Opawa, it is part of the Heathcote Ward for Christchurch City Council local body elections.[43] As of 2024, the current city councillor is Sara Templeton.[44] At a national level, Opawa is part of the Christchurch Central parliamentary electorate.[45] As of 2024, the current member of parliament (MP) is Duncan Webb of the Labour Party.[46]

Demographics

[edit]

Opawa covers 0.81 km2 (0.31 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,330 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,642 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,434—    
20131,302−1.37%
20181,365+0.95%
Source: [47]

Opawa had a population of 1,365 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 63 people (4.8%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 69 people (−4.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 504 households, comprising 642 males and 723 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.89 males per female. The median age was 47.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 219 people (16.0%) aged under 15 years, 186 (13.6%) aged 15 to 29, 621 (45.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 342 (25.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.8% European/Pākehā, 6.6% Māori, 1.3% Pasifika, 5.1% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 21.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.7% had no religion, 37.8% were Christian, 0.9% were Hindu, 1.1% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 363 (31.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 195 (17.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 222 people (19.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 501 (43.7%) people were employed full-time, 180 (15.7%) were part-time, and 30 (2.6%) were unemployed.[47]

Education

[edit]
See also: List of schools in Christchurch
A classroom building in Opawa School (July 2024)

Opawa contains no secondary schools, although it does contain three primary schools and two kindergartens. Opawa School located on Ford Road is one of the oldest schools in North Canterbury which was established in 1872.[48][13] At the present time, Opawa School is a full-primary school for years 1 to 8,[49] with a roll of 343 students.

Another school in Opawa is the Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School, it is a state-integrated composite school for years 1 to 13,[50] it is located on Ombersley Terrace and has a roll of 318 students. The school opened in 1975 and became state-integrated in 1989.[51][52]

The suburb is also home to an Anglican primary school called St Mark's School, a name it shares with St Mark's Anglican Church which is located on Opawa Road.[53][54] The school is located on Cholmondeley Avenue and is a state-integrated full primary school for years 1 to 8.[55] It has a roll of 235 students. All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of August 2024.[56] There are two kindergartens in the suburb, one located on Cholmondeley Avenue and another kindergarten located on Butler Street.[57][58]

Amenities

[edit]
Opawa's tennis courts are located on Cholmondeley Avenue

The Opawa Community Church (formerly known as the Opawa Methodist Church) is another place of worship in the suburb, in addition to Saint Marks Anglican Church on Opawa Road. The Methodist church is located at the intersection of Opawa Road and Aynsley Terrace, and was built in 1907 for the wider Methodist community.[59]

Hansen Park, a recreational area in the suburb, frequently hosts rugby, cricket, and athletics events. It is named in honour of Dr. David Ernest Hansen, recognised for his work in the local community.[60] The area was initially the site of a former landfill site (rubbish dump), there were later plans to transform the landfill site into a recreational park in 1959.[61][62] The park features two rugby fields, two football fields, and houses the clubrooms of the Port Hills Athletic Club. Another park located in the suburb is Risingholme Park, adjacent to the Risingholme Homestead.[63]

Opawa is home to the Opawa Bowling Club and the Opawa Lawn Tennis Club. Both of these sporting clubs have existed in the suburb for over one hundred years, with the Tennis club established in 1908 and the Bowling club established the same year.[64][65] The Opawa Public Library is situated on Richardson Terrace. It was established in 1936 and the building was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch Earthquakes. It was subsequently rebuilt. It is run independently to the Christchurch City Council Library Service.[66]

Notable people

[edit]
Anthony Wilding (1883–1915), one of New Zealand's most successful tennis players.

Notable people with Opawa connections include many of whom were born in the suburb and some were the suburb's early settlers.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Ogilvie 2009, p. 175.
  4. ^ "Maori Names. Attempt to preserve them in Canterbury". Lyttelton Times. 30 December 1901. p. 2. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024 – via Papers Past.
  5. ^ Reed 2010, p. 278.
  6. ^ Tau, Goodall & Palmer 1990, p. 20–22.
  7. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 1–2.
  8. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 1–2; Taylor 1952, p. 48–49.
  9. ^ Tau, Goodall & Palmer 1990, p. 5–24.
  10. ^ a b McDonald, Liz (12 December 2007). "High society in Opawa". The Press. Christchurch, New Zealand. ProQuest 314862902.
  11. ^ a b Wilson 2005, p. 33; Morrison 1948, p. 78.
  12. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 44.
  13. ^ a b c d e Ogilvie 2017, p. 187.
  14. ^ Wilson 2005, p. 119; Morrison 1948, p. 33.
  15. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 46.
  16. ^ Public Library Carnival Johnson's Picnic Gardens (PDF), 169 St Asaph Street Christchurch: Simpson & WilIiams Ltd., 1936, p. 15 – via Christchurch City Libraries{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  17. ^ Ogilvie 2009, pp. 164–166.
  18. ^ "Earthquake damage by suburb". Stuff. The Press. 4 February 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  19. ^ Conway, Glenn (24 February 2011). "Southern suburbs struggle to come to terms with damage". The Press. Christchurch, New Zealand. ISSN 0113-9762. ProQuest 853638657.
  20. ^ "Black Maps Digitised via Canterbury Regional Council". Canterbury Maps Open Data. Land Information New Zealand. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  21. ^ Owen 1992, p. 16.
  22. ^ "Place name detail: Opawa". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  23. ^ Hayward, Michael. "The streets that keep flooding". The Press. Christchurch, New Zealand. ProQuest 1921217047.
  24. ^ Multiple sources:
  25. ^ Wilson, John (14 September 2007). "Canterbury places – South Christchurch". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  26. ^ "From the air: City under water". The Press. p. 2. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Photos: State of emergency declared as Christchurch floods". Stuff. 22 July 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Suburb snapshot. Opawa; On the market". The Press (2 ed.). Christchurch, New Zealand. 6 April 2006. ISSN 0113-9762.
  29. ^ Morrison 1948, p. 78.
  30. ^ "Character charmer". The Press. Christchurch, New Zealand. 2006. ProQuest 314723760.
  31. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 47; Hendry 1969, p. 51.
  32. ^ "Risingholme". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  33. ^ a b Hendry 1969, p. 15.
  34. ^ Rea, Anabela (15 May 2024). "1879 colonial mansion a quake survivor". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  35. ^ a b Gillespie 2007, p. 46, 219; Hendry 1969, p. 10.
  36. ^ "The Hollies". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  37. ^ Multiple sources:
  38. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 253–259.
  39. ^ McDonald, Liz (12 February 2011). "Spacious land, old-world charm". The Press. Christchurch, New Zealand. ProQuest 852866606.
  40. ^ "Dwelling And Setting, Fifield – 14 Hawford Road, Christchurch" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. 4 March 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  41. ^ Multiple sources:
  42. ^ Morrison 1948; Gillespie 2007, p. 97, 98.
  43. ^ "Heathcote Ward Profile" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  44. ^ "Christchurch 13 percent rates rise 'unviable for residents'". Radio New Zealand. 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  45. ^ "Christchurch Central – Electorate Profile". New Zealand Government. 2021. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  46. ^ Andelane, Lana (15 October 2023). "NZ election 2023 live electorate results". Newshub. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  47. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Opawa (330900). 2018 Census place summary: Opawa
  48. ^ "New School At Opawa". Sun (Christchurch). 19 April 1920. Retrieved 29 August 2024 – via Papers Past.
  49. ^ Education Counts: Opawa School
  50. ^ Education Counts: Rudolf Steiner School
  51. ^ "About Our School". Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  52. ^ Kenny, Lee (21 September 2019). "Rudolf Steiner school's name change dilemma". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  53. ^ "St Mark's History". St Mark's School. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  54. ^ McJorrow, Tim (16 August 2001). "Enriching our young; Curriculum offers balance". The Press. Christchurch, New Zealand. ProQuest 314433052.
  55. ^ Education Counts: St Mark's School
  56. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  57. ^ "Tenders For New Kindergartens". The Press. No. 28511. 14 February 1958. Retrieved 10 October 2024 – via Papers Past.
  58. ^ "Community". The Press. 19 February 1999. ProQuest 314163198.
  59. ^ Judith 2008, p. 31; Gillespie 2007, p. 154.
  60. ^ Grant, Liz (2005). Walking Christchurch: 22 walks of discovery in and around Christchurch. Christchurch, New Zealand: New Holland Publishers. pp. 76–77. ISBN 9781869660703.
  61. ^ Multiple sources:
  62. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 124.
  63. ^ Multiple sources:
  64. ^ "Bowling". Lyttelton Times. No. 14650. 4 April 1908. Retrieved 7 October 2024 – via Papers Past.
  65. ^ "Opawa Tennis Club". The Press. 16 September 1957. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024 – via Papers Past.
  66. ^ "About the Opawa Public Library". Opawa Public Library. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  67. ^ Taylor, Leah (1998). "Baker, Isabel Noeline". Te Ara — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  68. ^ Tipples, Rupert (1996). "Buxton, Alfred William". Te Ara — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  69. ^ Fleming, Grant (1998). "Condliffe, John Bell". Te Ara — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  70. ^ a b Vial, Jane (30 August 2021). "In Plain Sight". Bulletin (205). Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  71. ^ Hamilton, Stephen D. (1998). "Henderson, Andrew Kennaway". Te Ara — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  72. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 166.
  73. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 192.
  74. ^ Sinclair, Keith (1993). "Reeves, William Pember". Te Ara — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  75. ^ Platts 1980, p. 237.
  76. ^ Dow, Derek A. (200). "Wallis, Wilfred Stanley". Te Ara — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  77. ^ Walter, Helen (1996). "Wilding, Anthony Frederick". Te Ara — the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  78. ^ Gillespie 2007, p. 162.
  79. ^ "Leading NZ scientist worked on development of atomic bomb". The Dominion Post. 25 March 2013. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.

Works cited

[edit]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opawa&oldid=1254209964"