Waimate
Encyclopedia
| Waimate | |
| Urban Area | |
|---|---|
| Population: | 2,835 (2006 census) |
| Extent: | |
| Territorial Authority | |
| Name: | Waimate District Council |
| Population: | 7,206 (2006 census) |
| Land area: | 3,582.19 km² (1,383.09 sq mi) |
| Mayor: | John Coles |
| Website: | http://www.waimatedc.govt.nz/Waimate/ |
| Extent: | Pareora River to Waitaki River, Pacific Ocean to Hakataramea Valley |
| Regional Council | |
| Name: | Canterbury Regional Council |
Waimate is a town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
and district
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
in 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 45.7 km south of Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
in south 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.-...
, 20 km north of the Waitaki River
Waitaki River
The Waitaki River is a large river in the South Island of New Zealand, some 110 km long. It is the major river of the Mackenzie Basin.It is a braided river which flows through Lake Benmore, Lake Aviemore and Lake Waitaki. These are ultimately fed by three large glacial lakes, Pukaki, Tekapo,...
.
The population of Waimate District at the 2006 census was 7,206 people. Waimate has the fewest Maori people per district in New Zealand. It has an area of 3,582.19 square kilometres .
Waimate is well-known locally for its population of Bennett's wallabies
Red-necked Wallaby
The Red-necked Wallaby is a medium-sized marsupial macropod, common in the more temperate and fertile parts of eastern Australia, including Tasmania.- Description :...
. These marsupials were introduced from Australia and now live in the wild in the countryside surrounding the town.
History
From 1877 until 1966, Waimate was served by the Waimate BranchWaimate Branch
The Waimate Branch was a branch line railway built in southern Canterbury, New Zealand to link the Main South Line with the town of Waimate, the centre of the surrounding rural area. It opened in 1877 and operated until 1966; for some of this time, it included an extension to Waihao Downs that was...
, a branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
railway that connected with the Main South Line
Main South Line
The Main South Line, sometimes referred to as part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, is a railroad line that runs north and south from Lyttelton in New Zealand through Christchurch and along the east coast of the South Island to Invercargill via Dunedin...
some seven kilometres east in Studholme
Studholme
Studholme is a locality in southern Canterbury in New Zealand's South Island. It is named after Michael Studholme, a pioneer European settler who arrived in the area in 1854.- Geography :...
. For roughly seventy years ending in 1953, the line ran beyond Waimate to Waihao Downs. When the branch line was closed on 31 March 1966, Waimate became the first major town in New Zealand to lose its railway connection.
Geography
The Waimate District is bounded by the Waitaki River in the south, the Pareora River in the north and the Hakataramea Valley to the west. The district is a very productive agricultural area with a mix of pastoral, cropping, dairy farming, fruit and vegetable growing.The Waihao River
Waihao River
The Waihao River is a natural watercourse in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island.- Characteristics :Its headwaters are in the Hunter Hills, foothills of the Southern Alps, and its catchment area is 550 km². The catchment receives approximately 1,000 mm of rain annually...
, which starts in the Hunter Hills
Hunter Hills
Hunter Hills is a neighborhood located west of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Its motto, "One Community, One Family", has been its cornerstone since 2001. The neighborhood is encompassed in the 30314 zip code. Hunter Hills shares borders with Mozley Park, Dixie Hills and West Lake...
catchment area runs eastwards on the southern side of the Waimate township joining with the Waimate Creek
Waimate Creek
Waimate Creek is a natural watercourse in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. Its original Māori name was Te Waimatemate, which means "slowly moving waters".- Catchment :...
. They both eventually end up discharging very close to the sea into the Wainono Dead Arm, which then flows into the Wainono Lagoon
Wainono Lagoon
Wainono Lagoon is a shallow lake in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. A number of rivers flow into the lagoon, including the Hook River from the north and the Waihao River from the south...
near Studholme
Studholme
Studholme is a locality in southern Canterbury in New Zealand's South Island. It is named after Michael Studholme, a pioneer European settler who arrived in the area in 1854.- Geography :...
.
Rural communities
- GlenavyGlenavy, New ZealandGlenavy is a locality in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located at the southern extreme of the Canterbury region on the alluvial fan of the Waitaki River, three kilometres from the river's outflow into the Pacific Ocean....
- HookHook, New ZealandHook is a lightly populated locality in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It is situated on coastal plains by the Pacific Ocean and Wainono Lagoon. Hook River flows through Hook into the Wainono Lagoon...
- Hunter
- Ikiwai
- Makikihi
- Morven
- Otaio
- Saint Andrews
- StudholmeStudholmeStudholme is a locality in southern Canterbury in New Zealand's South Island. It is named after Michael Studholme, a pioneer European settler who arrived in the area in 1854.- Geography :...
- Waihao Downs
- Waihaorunga
- Waituna
Economy
Like much of rural New ZealandNew 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...
, Waimate suffered from an economic downturn in the 1980s, with the closure of the dairy factory and a number of sawmills. For the last decade of the 20th century the biggest employers in the district were two furniture manufacturers, a vegetable processing plant and a factory making French fries and other potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
products at Makikihi. All but the latter closed within the first few years of the 21st century. However, a newly developed large scale sawmill and the development of a large milk powder factory, coupled with the wealth of dairy farms and the nationwide real estate bubble of 2003-2007, saw a renewed confidence in Waimate.
The Waimate Winter Show is held annually at the Waimate Stadium on the corner of Paul and Wilkin Streets in the first week of July.
Zealandia
Just off the main street is a statue of Zealandia (personification)Zealandia (personification)
Zealandia is a national personification of New Zealand. In her stereotypical form, Zealandia appears as a woman of European descent who is similar in dress and appearance to Britannia, who is said to be the mother of Zealandia....
a female allegorical representation of New Zealand in much the same way as Britannia
Britannia
Britannia is an ancient term for Great Britain, and also a female personification of the island. The name is Latin, and derives from the Greek form Prettanike or Brettaniai, which originally designated a collection of islands with individual names, including Albion or Great Britain. However, by the...
represents Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. Only two Zealandia statues exist in the whole country; the other is at Palmerston
Palmerston, New Zealand
The town of Palmerston, in New Zealand's South Island lies 50 kilometres to the north of the city of Dunedin. It is the largest town in the Waihemo Ward of the Waitaki District with a population of 890 residents...
, Otago. Both were erected as Boer War memorials.
Education
Further Information: List of schools in Canterbury, New Zealand- Pre-schools
- Waimate Free Kindergarten
- Waimate Childcare Centre
- Waimate Playcentre
- Primary Schools
- Waimate Main School
- Glenavy School
- Morven School
- Makikihi School
- St Patrick's School
- Waihaorunga School
- Waihao Downs School
- Waimate Centennial School
- Waituna Creek School
- St Andrews School
- Secondary SchoolsSecondary educationSecondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
- Waimate High Schoolhttp://www.waimate-high.school.nz/
Notable people from Waimate
- Norman KirkNorman KirkNorman Eric Kirk was the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. He led the Parliamentary wing of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1965 to 1974. He was the fourth Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, but the first to be born in New Zealand...
, 29th Prime Minister of New ZealandPrime Minister of New ZealandThe 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...
, 1972-1974. - A. M. HamiltonA. M. HamiltonArchibald Milne Hamilton was a New Zealand-born civil engineer, notable for building the Hamilton Road through Kurdistan and designing the Callender-Hamilton bridge system. His name is also associated with the Callendar-Hamilton aeroplane shed of the late 1930s.- Early life, marriage and children...
, notable for building the Hamilton Road through Kurdistan and designing the Callender-Hamilton bridgeCallender-Hamilton bridgeThe Callender-Hamilton bridge is a modular portable pre-fabricated truss bridge. It is primarily designed for use as permanent civil bridging as well as for emergency bridge replacement and for construction by military engineering units...
system. - Eric BatchelorEric BatchelorEric Batchelor DCM & Bar was a New Zealand soldier who was twice awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous bravery in Italy during World War II. He was the only New Zealand soldier of just nine British Commonwealth soldiers during the World War II to receive the DCM and bar...
, most highly decorated CommonwealthCommonwealthCommonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
NCO of World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Howard KippenbergerHoward KippenbergerMajor-General Sir Howard Karl Kippenberger, KBE, CB, DSO, ED, , known as Kip, served as a New Zealand soldier in both World Wars.-Personal life:Howard Kippenberger married Ruth Isobel Flynn, of Lyttelton in 1922...
officer commanding New ZealandNew ZealandNew 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...
forces in North AfricaNorth AfricaNorth Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Though not born in Waimate his father bought a farm at there when he was young and he spent much of his early childhood there. - Margaret Cruikshanks (1873-1918), the second woman to graduate in MedicineMedicineMedicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
in New ZealandNew ZealandNew 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...
and the first New ZealandNew ZealandNew 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...
woman to register and practise as a General PractitionerGeneral practitionerA general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
. Although not born in Waimate, she spent her professional career there and her achievement is celebrated with a monument of her in the middle of the township.
Notable places
- St. Augustine's Anglican Church, located on John Street in Waimate, was designed in 1872 by Benjamin MountfortBenjamin MountfortBenjamin Woolfield Mountfort was an English emigrant to New Zealand, where he became one of that country's most prominent 19th century architects. He was instrumental in shaping the city of Christchurch's unique architectural identity and culture, and was appointed the first official Provincial...
. - St Patrick's Catholic Church, located on Timaru Rd was designed in 1908 by Frank Petre.
- Waimate Museum, located in Shearman St, was designed in 1878 by P.M.F. Burrows
- Waimate White Horse
Rugby
- Waimate Rugby Football Club] has teams competing in the South Canterbury rugby competitions. The club is affiliated with the South Canterbury Rugby Football UnionSouth Canterbury Rugby Football UnionThe South Canterbury Rugby Football Union is a rugby province based in the central South Island city of Timaru, New Zealand. The South Canterbury team play from Alpine Energy Stadium located in Timaru.-History:...
.
Debating
- Every year the University of Otago and University of Canterbury hold the Debating tournament known as Claytons. It is a debating tournament for beginning debaters and first years at the respective Universities. It was previously held annually either in Christchurch or Waimate, but has in recent years been held solely in Waimate.
Events
- March Hare Motorcycle Rally, Annually, first weekend of March
- South Canterbury Busking Festival, Seddon Square, Waimate
- Waimate 50 Street Race
- Waimate Strawberry Fare
- Waimate Woodcraft Expo
- Waimate Shears
- Waimate Rodeo, held on 27 December
- Claytons Debating Tournament, Annually in July-August
- Waimate Museum Bookarama, Annually at Labour Weekend