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Suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 grasslands and mixed-use vegetation. By the 1860s, the area was sparsely populated by settlers and later became a rural-agricultural locality, with many of the early settlers of English descent. It developed little during its early years in becoming a residential suburb. As Woolston emerged as an industrial hub nearby, Opawa was heavily urbanised, transforming it into an upscale residential area with a population largely comprised of factory workers and businesspeople. Opawa also contributed in the development of Christchurch with its former brickmaking and clay industries.
Opawa | |
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![]() Main retail area on Opawa Road, looking south-east towards Mount Cavendish | |
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Coordinates: 43.551342°S 172.661937°E | |
Country | New Zealand |
City | Christchurch |
Local authority | Christchurch City Council |
Electoral ward | Heathcote |
Community board | Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote |
Established | 1860s |
Area | |
• Land | 81 ha (200 acres) |
Population (June 2023)[2] | |
• Total | 1,320 |
Opawa is predominantly residential, and lies mostly within a U-shaped bend of the Heathcote River, that contains a light retail precinct centred on Opawa Road. Its population largely consists of European New Zealanders, and contains numerous landmarks known for their connection with the early settlers in the area. Like the rest of Christchurch, the area was first inhabited by the Māori people. Opawa's main roads are Ensors Road and Opawa Road. State Highway 76 (Brougham Street) and the Main South Line are situated further north of the suburb. In its formative days, Opawa was a riding of the Heathcote County Council, until it later amalgamated in to the city area in 1916.
At a national level, the suburb is part of the Christchurch Central parliamentary electorate. Locally, the suburb is part of the Heathcote Ward for Christchurch City Council local body elections. Opawa contains three primary schools, two kindergartens, a retirement village and a rest home. The suburb is home to two prominent sporting clubs, the Opawa Bowling Club and the Opawa Lawn Tennis Club. Additional sporting amenities are located in Hansen Park which contains two rugby fields, two football fields and the clubrooms of a local athletics club. Notable people with Opawa connections include some of the early settlers and several people who were born or educated in the suburb.
Archaeological evidence of Māori occupation in the Christchurch area begins in 1250 A.D., and remains of the extinct moa bird have been found in Raekura (or the Redcliffs area). Though most of the Māori occupation was along the coast,[3] there were still smaller inland settlements in the area occupied by the modern-day suburbs of Papanui, Riccarton and Opawa.[4]
The Māori name for the area is Ōpāwaho.[5] It is a combination of Ō which means 'a part of' and pā and waho which means 'outer' or 'outside a defined area'.[6] Ōpāwaho is also the Māori name of the Heathcote River.[7] A kāinga (Māori settlement)[8] was located near the present-day Vincent Place and Judge Street intersection. It was also used as 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 swamplands and the river as a source of lamprey and eels, and was considered a mahinga kai 'food-gathering place'.[9][10]
The name of the village itself was Poho-Areare. It is also the name of an early rangatira 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. Later, Tūrakipō was the settlement's chief.[11][12] A hapū of Ngāi Tahu built the village in the 18th century (approximately 250 years ago) and the name given to this hapū was Ō-Roto-Repo meaning 'swamp dwellers'.[13][14]
Opawa was a low-lying area, and a continuation of the Sydenham swamp. The Māori name for the swamplands which the Heathcote River drained is Te Kuru.[11] The Māori settlement in Opawa was strategically located to control the river passage to the estuary and the ocean, the area eventually becoming known as Ōpāwaho. Various names rendered the area (such as Opawako and Opoira) and Opawa eventually became the established and recognised name.[15]
The Canterbury Association's Chief Surveyor, Captain Joseph Thomas, surveyed the Canterbury area with his assistant, Edward Jollie in the 1850s, and they named the various ports and settlements in the area.[16][17] The First Four Ships were chartered by the Canterbury Association and brought the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton Harbour in 1850.[lower-alpha 1] These sailing vessels were the Randolph, Charlotte Jane, Sir George Seymour, and Cressy. They aimed to establish an "English" settlement centred on an Anglican faith.[20] The Charlotte Jane was the first to arrive on the 16th of December.[21]
By the 1860s, Opawa was sparsely populated by European settlers and the area south of Linwood and Woolston became a rural-agricultural (dairying) locality. Early settlers in Opawa were farmers and people of English descent, many of whom came from relatively wealthy families.[22][23]
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, where the St Mark's Anglican Church is located. Opawa was established around a U-shaped bend of the Heathcote River. Initially, a number of opulent houses were built on large riverside sections. There were no shops in the Opawa district until 1885. Up until the 1890s, the only regular means of transportation, was a stagecoach which ran along Opawa Road.[22][24] A tram service also existed in Opawa in the early 20th century.[25]
As Woolston emerged as an industrial hub nearby, the population of Opawa grew rapidly, transforming it into an upscale and fashionable residential area.[15] Additionally, it also grew as people left Woolston's industrial areas including factory-workers and businesspeople who could not find homes in Woolston itself.[26] In its formative days, Opawa was home to brickmaking and clay industries. Which contributed in the development of Christchurch and the industries always had its home in Opawa and its surrounding hills.[27][28]
Opawa's railway station opened in 1864. Though public passenger trains are have no longer been in operation since 1972.[29] Residents previously had two to three trains to Christchurch passing everyday through the district. But, travelling by train was not considered convenient.[30]
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.[31] Opawa is served by the Opawa Library and Opawa Children's Library. These buildings suffered substantial earthquake-related damages. The Opawa Children's Library was able to reopen and operate and the Opawa Library was later rebuilt in 2019.[32][33]
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 Heathcote River.[34] In Māori times, it was generally considered to be a continuation of the Sydenham swamp. Today, State Highway 76 (Brougham Street) and the Main South Line traverse north through the suburb. Other suburbs nearby include, Murray Aynsley Hill, Huntsbury, St Martins, Waltham, Hillsborough, and Linwood.[35] The area between Opawa and Heathcote Valley enters a substantial locale of industrial businesses.[36] The suburb's main roads are Opawa Road and Ensors Road. The main retail precinct is centred on Opawa Road,[37] it was developed on one of the earliest settled routes, at the intersection of Hawford and Reeves Roads.[38]
In 1967, there were proposals for the Opawa Expressway from Waltham to Tunnel Road, which would affect 307 residential and other properties in the Heathcote County and Christchurch City areas. Maps supplied to the authorities showed the expressway starting at the terminus of the northern and southern motorways near the corner of Shakespeare Road and Waltham Road, running north of Shakespeare Road, alongside the railway from Ensors Road to Garlands Road, and continued along Port Hills Road to Tunnel Road. This project would cause disruption of the residential area during its construction, and 60 properties would be affected.[39] Opawa Road is no longer the primary thoroughfare through to Lyttelton and Heathcote Valley.[40]
Most of the suburb lies within a U-shaped bend in the Heathcote River. It is flood-prone suburb. Because of its location next to the Heathcote River, the area has subsequently been flooded numerous times in recent years.[41] Dates of repeated instances of significant flooding in the area include, August 1941, April 1962, and January 1980.[42] In 1986 the Woolston Cut began to allow flood waters to bypass a long loop of the Heathcote River,[43] known locally as the "Woolston Loop". In recent times, flooding events in Opawa occurred in 2014 and 2017.[44][45]
The primary road supporting the transportation in the area is State Highway 76 (Brougham Street) which traverses from the north through the suburb, also through Sydenham and Brougham Street, going thoroughfare the suburbs of Hillsborough and Opawa, then Port Hills Road connecting with Tunnel Road to pass through the Lyttelton road tunnel at Heathcote Valley.[46] The area between Brougham Street and Moorhouse Avenue traversing Waltham and Sydenham accommodates many small businesses and light industrial premises.[47] The suburb is linked by two bus routes to its neighbouring suburbs, nearby shopping centres, and central Christchurch.[48]
Opawa has a large number of landmarks and places of historical interest, known for their connection with some of the early European settlers in the area, among them, the Risingholme, which was built in 1864 by 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 city council for the "health, amusement and instruction of the public". Established in 1944, it became one of New Zealand's first community centres.[49] It has a Category 2 listing with Heritage New Zealand.[50]
Fownhope was built in 1868 its historically significant for its connection with Edward Harley, an English settler, who worked as an accountant, and Frederick Bowler. The house is built from mataī and other native New Zealand trees. The floor in the house is lined with baltic pine, which was brought from Europe. Fownhope has a strong link to early European settlement in the area, and is representative of what many houses were at the time. It has a Category 2 listing with Heritage New Zealand and the Christchurch City Council recognises a "Group 3" listing to the Fownhope.[51][52]
The Hollies was built in 1871, it is an early colonial house built by English-born mechanice Edward 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. The building sits fairly close to the eastern boundary facing the Heathcote River. The Hollies is a Category 2 heritage-listed building.[53][54]
St Mark's Anglican Church is located on Opawa Road. Its foundation stone was laid in May 1865 by Bishop Selwyn, the first Primate of New Zealand.[15][55] In December 1949 the old St Mark's Anglican 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.[56] A new church was constructed on the same site and reopened four years later in December 1953.[57]
Roxburghe is located on 44 Opawa Road. It was built by businessman William Wombwell Charters in 1879. The building is significant because of it being a fine example of an Italianate villa. Opawa was a considered a 'desirable' suburb at the time with lots of "gentlemen's estates". The dwelling suffered considerable damage during the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes. New foundations were laid and the building was repaired.[58][59]
The Fifield located on 14 Hawford Road holds historic significance for its connection with civil engineer William Bray and pharmacist William Townend and his family. The building contains a smoking room, a nursery, and a servants' quarters. It is considered to be a mid-Victorian villa. After the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes, there was damage to dwelling's chimneys. They partially collapsed and were removed as a result.[60]
Another landmark is an untitled house located on 9 Ford Road. Noted residents here include Otto and Margaret Frankel. This dwelling holds historic significance for its connection with an Austrian architect Ernst Plischke and the significant number of European intellectuals seeking refuge in New Zealand to escape the increasing influence of Nazism in the 1930s. It is also holds significance as it reflects the ideals of the dwelling's modernist design.[61] It has a Category 2 listing with Heritage New Zealand.[62]
In its early days, Opawa was a riding of the Heathcote County Council.[63] In December 1915, a deputation from the district presented to the Christchurch City Council asserting that more than seventy out of two hundred and ten ratepayers in the area had backed the idea of joining at a public meeting. A spokesperson of the deputation, argued that the "City could offer much more to the residents of Opawa than the County Council would." Additionally, they stated the local homeowners were "Quite willing to pay a little more in rates in order to enjoy the city services." George Scott, the chairman of Heathcote and a city councilor, was in favour for the entire county merging with Christchurch as long as its capital value rating could be preserved.[64] It was favoured to amalgamate Opawa to the city area in another proposal in February 1916.[65] The Heathcote County was abolished through the 1989 local government reforms.[66][67]
Opawa was incorporated in to the city area in October 1916.[68][69] Its neighbouring suburb of Woolston remained a self-governing borough until its amalgamation with the city in November 1921.[70] The Christchurch City Council administers Opawa. The suburb is part of the Heathcote Ward for Christchurch City Council local body elections.[71] The current city councillor is Sara Templeton.[72] At a national level, Opawa is currently part of the Christchurch Central parliamentary electorate.[73] The member of parliament is Duncan Webb of the Labour Party.[74]
Opawa covers 0.81 km2 (0.31 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,320 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 1,630 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 1,434 | — |
2013 | 1,302 | −1.37% |
2018 | 1,365 | +0.95% |
Source: [75] |
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.[75] Many of the early residents of Opawa were businesspeople and factory-workers who could not find homes in Woolston.[76]
Opawa has no secondary schools, although it does contain three primary schools and two kindergartens. One of the older schools in the district, Opawa School, and is considered one of "North Canterbury's" oldest schools.[77] Established in 1872,[15] its growth was influenced by its district which was on route via the Bridle Path from Christchurch to Lyttelton.[78] In 1920, foundation of a new school at Opawa was laid.[77] Today, Opawa School (Te Kura o Ōpāwaho) is a full-primary school for years 1 to 8,[79] with a roll of 313 students. And is located on Ford Road.[80] There are two kindergartens in the suburb, one located on Cholmondeley Avenue and another kindergarten located on Butler Street.[81][82]
Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School, a state-integrated composite school for years 1 to 13,[83] located on Ombersley Terrace and has a roll of 328 students. The school opened in 1975 and became state-integrated in 1989.[84][85] Another school in Opawa, is the St Mark's School, it is an Anglican state-integrated full primary school for years 1 to 8, and is located on Cholmondeley Avenue.[86] It has a roll of 218 students. It was established in 1921.[87][88] The nearest secondary school is in Phillipstown located on Aldwins Road, Te Aratai College (formerly Linwood College) situated 2.5 km (1.6 mi) to the north.[89] All these schools are co-educational. Rolls are as of February 2024.[90]
Local businesses in Opawa include a café, a bakery, a butchery, a dairy, a pharmacy, and an op-shop.[32][91] Additionally, more shops are also located on Ferry Road, 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) to the north in Woolston.[92] Opawa also contains a retirement village and a rest home. In addition to the Saint Marks Anglican Church, another place of worship in the suburb is the Opawa Community Church, located on the corner of Opawa Road and Aynsley Terrace.[93] The suburb is linked by two bus routes to its neighbouring suburbs, a nearby shopping mall, and the city centre.[94]
A particularly notable park in Opawa is Hansen Park. Initially the site of a former rubbish dump, there were later plans to transform the landfill site into a recreational park in 1959.[95] There are two rugby fields and two football fields in the park,[96] and the clubrooms of the Port Hills Athletic Club.[97]
Opawa is home to the Opawa Bowling Club and the Opawa Lawn Tennis Club.[98] Both of these sporting clubs have existed in the suburb for over one hundred years, with the Tennis club established in 1907 and the Bowling club had its opening of a new bowling green in 1908.[99][100] It is also home to the Alpine Ice Centre,[lower-alpha 2] which is located on Brougham Street, and is Christchurch's main ice sports venue. It hosts the Canterbury Red Devils along with other smaller local sporting clubs.[101]
The suburb is located approximately 3.7 km (2.3 mi) from Lancaster Park, in Waltham.[102] Christchurch's main former sporting venue and has since been transformed into a public park with facilities for community sport.[103]
Notable people with Opawa connections include many of whom were born in the suburb and some were the suburb's early settlers.
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