Cheviot, New Zealand
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Cheviot is a town in the Hurunui District of north Canterbury, on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is on the Main North Line railway and State Highway 1 approximately 110 km north of Christchurch. It is named after the nearby Cheviot Hills, themselves named after the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland.
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[edit] Population
According to the 2006 New Zealand census, the population of Cheviot was 390 — a decrease of three from the previous 2001 census. A further 980 people lived in the rural areas serviced by the town or in adjacent villages such as Domett, Parnassus, Gore Bay and Port Robinson.
[edit] 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 two full-time police officers. Surrounding settlements include:
[edit] Domett
Domett (pronounced Do-mett), originally a railway town, is now only populated by farms and a petrol station, with the Old Main Road/Hurunui River Mouth Road junction. Next to this junction is the old Domett Railway Station, relocated as a cafe. Domett Service Station provides after-hours sale of fuel (with surcharge): most service stations in the area close around 6pm.
[edit] Spotswood
Spotswood has an old hall that is still used regularly, and mainly consists of farms around Waiau East Road.
[edit] Parnassus
Parnassus is slightly larger than the others but the local Parnassus School has recently shut down. 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 owner's permission. On the State Highway north of Parnassus is Leader Road which leads to the townships of Waiau, Rotherham, Culverden and Hanmer Springs.
[edit] Gore Bay
Gore Bay is a great surfing beach, and has many summer beach houses, along with 14 permanent residents. There are two local camping grounds, each with great beach access and business. It is a popular New Year's Eve venue. Of note is Cathedral Gully, a spectacular weathered clay canyon.
[edit] Port Robinson
Once a prospering port, Port Robinson is now just a wreck. The old wharf may still be seen, but it is rather dangerous.
[edit] Places of interest
- The Cheviot Tearooms, a quaint resting place on State Highway One, in the middle of Cheviot, is a great place to stop for a cup of tea.
- The Magpies Rest, Cheviot's local restaurant.
- The Paddock, Cheviot's competition restaurant.
- Cheviot Central Garage, on the main street.
- Cheviot Trust Hotel, at the northern end of the main street.
- Cheviot Motor Company, a garage and fuel stop, on Rolleston Street.
- Crossroads Gallery, corner of Seddon and Hall Street, has local artists' selections on sale and display.
- Shop 35, on the main street, next to the Cheviot Tearooms.
- Cheviot Hammer Hardware, on the main street.
- St Anne's Lagoon, a nature reserve that used to provide Māori settlements around the area with eel, about 2 km north of Cheviot.
- Cheviot Hills Domain and Mansion Foundation, historical home of the founder of Cheviot, William "Ready Money" Robinson. The front steps of the mansion are still in place, and lead into the cricket pavilion.
- Sunday Craft Market is a great place to stop. Right on the main road opposite the Public Toilets. A great range of handmade crafts of very high quality are available. Spinning, knitting and scarves and wall hangings made from felt. The market is often there on Fridays too, weather permitting.
[edit] Schooling
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 only. In 1937, it became the Cheviot District High School. The increased staffing and resources received with its new status enabled it to become the progressive school it is today. Students now have the opportunity to study courses throughout the full range of compulsory education. Use is made of distance learning to ensure a broad range of subjects and programmes for Year 11-13 students. Cheviot Area School is a composite, co-educational school catering for Year 1-13 students.It also has a wider role providing continuing education, facilities and support for community groups. The closest main contributing school, Parnassus, a year 1-6 school, is due to close. The community contains two pre-schools - Cheviot Learning Centre and The Tree Hut. There is very strong community support for the school and an active Home & School Association.
Cheviot Area School competes in the CASAFest (Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival) sporting competition with schools in Akaroa, Amuri, Hawarden, Oxford, and Rangiora.
The school partakes in international exchanges with schools in Japan and Canada.
[edit] References
- Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.
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