Crofton Downs

Last updated

Crofton Downs
Suburb
Crofton Downs Wellington.jpg
Crofton Downs
Coordinates: 41°15′25″S174°45′50″E / 41.257°S 174.764°E / -41.257; 174.764
CountryNew Zealand
City Wellington City
Local authority Wellington City Council
Electoral ward
Area
[1]
 • Land157 ha (388 acres)
Population
 (June 2023) [2]
 • Total1,770
Railway stations Crofton Downs
Airportsnsp
HospitalsBowen Hospital (private)
Mount Kaukau
Wilton
Pfeil oben.svg
Pfeil links.svgCrofton DownsPfeil rechts.svg
Pfeil unten.svg
 Ngaio
Kaiwharawhara

Crofton Downs is an inner suburb of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It is situated between Ngaio to the northeast, Wilton to the south-west, and Wadestown to the south. Its border runs on the Korimako Stream that flows south into the Kaiwharawhara Stream and then flows down the Ngaio Gorge into Wellington Harbour.

Contents

History and etymology

The area was before 1870 was called Upper Kaiwarra (a corruption of Kaiwharawhara), after 1870 Crofton (including neighbouring Ngaio). In 1908 was renamed Ngaio, then in 1950s the western side of Ngaio became Crofton Downs. [3] Crofton Downs taking its name from a house built in the 1857 by then Premier, William Fox. Crofton House, which was likely named after his wife's birthplace of Crofton in Wiltshire, England, [4] still stands today and is at 21 Kenya Street. [5]

Many of the street names in the suburb such as Winston Street, Downing Street and Chartwell Drive are a tribute to the life of former British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill; [6] Chartwell was Churchill's country home. Admiralty Street comes from 'First Lord of the Admiralty' which is appointed by the UK Prime Minister.[ citation needed ] Chequers Way is from Chequers the official residence of the UK Prime Minister. Doris Gordon Crescent is named after the New Zealand doctor who, as a child, resided nearby. [7]

Silverstream (the river) and Silverstream Road are named after Silverstream Dairy farm (formally Caseys Farm). This farm merged with Sky Farm to the North (gives its name to Skyline track). Silversky Park and track being the link between the two.

Demographics

Crofton Downs statistical area covers 1.57 km2 (0.61 sq mi). [1] It had an estimated population of 1,770 as of June 2023, [2] with a population density of 1,127 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,410—    
20131,548+1.34%
20181,641+1.17%
Source: [8]

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a smaller boundary, covering 1.31 km2 (0.51 sq mi). [1] Using that boundary, Crofton Downs had a population of 1,641 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 93 people (6.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 231 people (16.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 639 households, comprising 786 males and 852 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.92 males per female. The median age was 39.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 330 people (20.1%) aged under 15 years, 261 (15.9%) aged 15 to 29, 837 (51.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 207 (12.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 82.6% European/Pākehā, 6.8% Māori, 3.3% Pasifika, 13.5% Asian, and 2.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 33.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.5% had no religion, 30.3% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.5% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 1.6% were Buddhist and 2.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 699 (53.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 57 (4.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $54,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 495 people (37.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 768 (58.6%) people were employed full-time, 201 (15.3%) were part-time, and 42 (3.2%) were unemployed. [8]

Local facilities

Crofton Downs has its own railway station (with coffee shop) on the Johnsonville Line for commuters to Wellington Station to the South and going to Ngaio, Khandallah and Johnsonville to the north. [9]

Near the station on Churchill Drive is Churchill Drive Shopping Centre with a supermarket, cafe, pharmacy and a hairdresser. Next door is a Mitre 10 DIY hardware store. [10] The adjacent petrol station was closed in late 2022. The veterinary clinic which was part of the supermarket complex has moved nearby to Thatcher Crescent. [11]

The Countdown supermarket was expanded in 2013 and now covers an area of 3,400 m2. [12] [13]

Bowen Hospital

Bowen Hospital is run by a private charitable trust. [14] Now located on Churchill Drive on the southern part of Crofton Downs, it was established on Bowen Street opposite Parliament in 1912. [15] The old building was closed in 1965 and it moved here.

A BUPA retirement village opened in Crofton Downs next to Bowen Hospital in 2022. [16]

Open space and parks

Crofton Downs is surrounded by parks and reserves. To the west, north-west and north it is encircled by the city council-owned Skyline walkway park, the park featuring 'the crows nest' a popular peak at 385m high. The access is from the Silversky Walkway and vehicles from Chartwell drive and Chartwell reserve. Huntleigh Park forms the northern edge of Crofton Downs with neighbouring Ngaio, Trelissick Park runs to the east of the train station and line and Otari-Wilton's Bush to the south east.

Huntleigh Park

Huntleigh Park provides a backup community water facility in case emergency event such as a quake that disrupt supplies. [17]

Huntleigh Guide Centre in Huntleigh park off Silverstream Road is a community facility that can seat up to 100 people. [18]

Education

School enrolment zone

Crofton Downs is within the enrolment zones for Wellington Girls' College, Onslow College, St Oran's College and Raroa Normal Intermediate. [19]

Primary school

Crofton Downs Primary school is a Decile 10 coeducational contributing state school catering to years 1 to 6. [20] Formerly called Chartwell School, the school was opened in 1970. Its name was changed to Crofton Downs Primary school in 2008 as the surrounding area is now more commonly referred to as Crofton Downs rather than Chartwell. [21] [22] It has a roll of 146 as of February 2024. [20]

Pre-school

Ngaio Playcentre is parent led preschool based in Huntleigh Park, Crofton Downs, which caters for children aged 0 to 6 years old. [23] Originally based in Ngaio town hall it moved into Huntleigh Park in the mid-1970s. [24]

Transport

The suburb is served by the Johnsonville Branch commuter railway which connects it to the central city and stops at Johnsonville. It is one stop to Wellington Central Station, and the journey takes 9 minutes. In addition, the number 22 bus running to and from Johnsonville to Wellington stops in Crofton Downs during the weekdays.

Predator Free Crofton Downs

Crofton Downs was the first New Zealand Suburb to be declared predator-free after local community group, Predator Free Crofton Downs, arranged stoat and rat traps for over 200 households throughout the suburb. [25] Since its inception in 2014, [26] the community model has inspired other communities throughout New Zealand to start their own predator free groups.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porirua</span> City in the North Island of New Zealand

Porirua, a city in the Wellington Region of the North Island of New Zealand, is one of the four cities that constitute the Wellington metropolitan area. The name 'Porirua' is a corruption of 'Pari-rua', meaning "the tide sweeping up both reaches". It almost completely surrounds Porirua Harbour at the southern end of the Kāpiti Coast. As of June 2023, Porirua has a population of 60,900.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastbourne, New Zealand</span> Suburb of Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Eastbourne is a suburb of Lower Hutt, a part of Wellington, New Zealand. Lying beside the sea, it is a popular local tourist destination via car from Petone or from ferry crossings from central Wellington. An outer suburb, it lies on the eastern shore of Wellington Harbour, five kilometres south of the main Lower Hutt urban area and directly across the harbour from the Miramar Peninsula in Wellington city. A narrow exposed coastal road connects it with the rest of Lower Hutt via the Eastern Bays and the industrial suburb of Seaview. It is named for Eastbourne in England, another seaside town known as a destination for day-trips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington City Council</span> Territorial authority in the Wellington urban area of New Zealand

Wellington City Council is a territorial authority in New Zealand, governing the city of Wellington, the country's capital city and third-largest city by population, behind Auckland and Christchurch. It consists of the central historic town and certain additional areas within the Wellington metropolitan area, extending as far north as Linden and covering rural areas such as Mākara and Ohariu. The city adjoins Porirua in the north and Hutt City in the north-east. It is one of nine territorial authorities in the Wellington Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tawa, New Zealand</span> Suburb of Wellington City, New Zealand

Tawa is the northernmost suburb within the Wellington city boundary, located roughly 15 km north of Wellington's CBD between Churton Park and Porirua in the North Island of New Zealand. It takes its name from the broadleaf tree, which was once prolific throughout the area, although its most famous tree is the Bucket Tree, a large macrocarpa with the topiary of an upside-down bucket. Tawa is also known for its large number of churches, representing a wide range of Christian denominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnsonville, New Zealand</span> Suburb of Wellington City, New Zealand

Johnsonville is a large suburb in northern Wellington, New Zealand. It is seven kilometres north of the city centre, at the top of the Ngauranga Gorge, on the main route to Porirua. It is commonly known by locals as "J'ville".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khandallah</span> Suburb of Wellington, New Zealand

Khandallah is a suburb of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northeast of the city centre, on hills overlooking Wellington Harbour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ngaio, New Zealand</span> Suburb of Wellington City, New Zealand

Ngaio is an inner suburb of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Kaukau, 3500 metres north of the city's CBD. It was settled in the 1840s and many of its streets are named after early settler families. Ngaio was originally a logging community known first as Upper Kaiwarra, then as Crofton until 1908. The area was administratively part of a separate local authority called the Onslow Borough Council which amalgamated with Wellington City in 1919.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pinehaven</span> Suburb of Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Pinehaven is a suburb of Upper Hutt City in the lower North Island of New Zealand, established in 1927. It is at the southern end of the city, within the pine covered hills east of Silverstream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Kaukau</span>

Mount Kaukau is a large hill in the northern suburbs of Wellington, New Zealand near Johnsonville, Khandallah and Ngaio. The summit is 445 metres above sea level and is the most visible high point in the Wellington landscape further accentuated by Wellington's main television transmitter mast, which stands 122m from the summit. The city, harbour and the Remutaka and Tararua Ranges can be seen from the summit. On a clear day Mt. Tapuae-o-Uenuku and the Kaikōura Ranges in the South Island may be seen, whilst northwest is the Porirua Basin and the Tasman Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newlands, Wellington</span> Suburb of Wellington City, New Zealand

Newlands is one of the northern suburbs of Wellington, New Zealand. It lies approximately 8.1 km north of the city centre and to the east of its nearest neighbour Johnsonville. It has a long history of early settlement and originally was farmed including being the early source of Wellington's milk. Newlands is located in a valley and covers two ridgelines, the side of one of which overlooks Wellington Harbour and up to the Hutt Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crofton Downs railway station</span> Railway station in New Zealand

Crofton Downs railway station is one of eight stations on the Johnsonville Branch, a commuter branch railway north of Wellington in New Zealand’s North Island. It serves the suburb of Crofton Downs. Its name is similar to the pre-1908 name for the different Ngaio station, Crofton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiwharawhara</span> Suburb in Wellington, New Zealand

Kaiwharawhara is an urban seaside suburb of Wellington in New Zealand's North Island. It is located north of the centre of the city on the western shore of Wellington Harbour, where the Kaiwharawhara Stream reaches the sea from its headwaters in Karori. It is a largely commercial and industrial area and thus has little residential population. A recent housing development up the hillside towards Te Kainga has increased the resident population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiwharawhara Stream</span> River in Wellington, New Zealand

The Kaiwharawhara Stream is a stream in the North Island of New Zealand – it flows through the northwestern part of New Zealand's capital, Wellington. Its headwaters lie within the suburb of Karori, and it passes through other suburbs and Otari-Wilton's Bush before reaching the western shore of Wellington Harbour in Kaiwharawhara near the terminal of the Interislander Ferry. Part of its length runs roughly alongside the Johnsonville Branch railway, a branch line that once formed part of the North Island Main Trunk Railway – the latter now passes over the stream near its mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnsonville Branch</span> Railway line in New Zealand

The Johnsonville Branch, also known as the Johnsonville Line, is a commuter branch line railway from the main Railway Station of Wellington, New Zealand to the northern suburb of Johnsonville via Ngaio and Khandallah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ōhāriu (New Zealand electorate)</span> Electoral district in Wellington, New Zealand

Ōhāriu, previously spelled Ohariu and then Ōhariu, is a New Zealand parliamentary electorate returning one Member of Parliament to the House of Representatives. It first existed from 1978 to 1993, and was recreated for the 2008 election. In 2008, it was the successor to Ohariu-Belmont, first contested at the first mixed-member proportional (MMP) election in 1996. Through its existence Ohariu-Belmont was represented by Peter Dunne, leader of the United Future party. Dunne contested and won the recreated electorate in 2008. He announced on 21 August 2017 that he would not stand in the 2017 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ngaio railway station</span> New Zealand railway station

Ngaio railway station is one of eight railway stations on the Johnsonville Branch, a commuter branch railway north of Wellington in New Zealand's North Island, and serves the suburb of Ngaio. The station was erected and operated by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR) on their line from Wellington to Longburn. The area served by this station used to be called Crofton, until the suburb was renamed to Ngaio in 1908 to avoid confusion with Crofton, a suburb of Marton in the Manawatu. From the acquisition of the WMR by the New Zealand Railways Department in 1908 until the opening of the Tawa Flat deviation in 1937, the station was on the North Island Main Trunk railway. On 2 July 1938, the truncated section of the line to Johnsonville became the Johnsonville Branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnsonville railway station</span> New Zealand railway station

Johnsonville railway station is the terminus of the Johnsonville Line, one of eight stations on the commuter branch railway north of Wellington in New Zealand’s North Island. It serves the suburb of Johnsonville, and as a bus interchange attracts traffic from other suburbs to the north and east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Normandale, New Zealand</span> Suburb of Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Normandale is a semi-rural suburb of Lower Hutt City, New Zealand, on the western hills of the Hutt Valley. It consists of two main roads – Normandale Road and Miromiro Road – and the hills between, and is a five minute drive from the Lower Hutt city centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wadestown, New Zealand</span> Suburb of Wellington City, New Zealand

Wadestown is a northern suburb of Wellington, located about 2–3 km by road from the Wellington central business district and the New Zealand Parliament Buildings.

The Old Porirua Road in the 19th century was the main road north up the west coast from Wellington to Porirua in New Zealand. It ran from Kaiwarra up the Ngaio Gorge to Ngaio, Khandallah, Johnsonville and Tawa to the Porirua Harbour. Most of the road still exists, although many sections are now local roads only, having been superseded as through roads.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand . Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Gábor Tóth (9 June 2020). "How Crofton Downs got its name". Wellington City Libraries.
  4. ↑ Reed, A. W. (2010). Peter Dowling (ed.). Place Names of New Zealand. Rosedale, North Shore: Raupo. p. 92. ISBN   9780143204107.
  5. ↑ "Crofton - Wellington Heritage". wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz.
  6. ↑ Greenland, James (24 August 2012). "Crofton Downs' stately links to Britain". The Wellingtonian. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Bolitho, Elaine (2013). "Who was Doris Gordon?" (PDF). Onslow Historian. 43: 6–24. ISSN   0110-4896.
  8. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Crofton Downs (249100). 2018 Census place summary: Crofton Downs
  9. ↑ "Crofton Downs Station". Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Find your nearest Mitre 10 store". 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  11. ↑ "Crofton Downs Veterinary Clinic". 2020. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  12. ↑ Romanos, Joseph (11 February 2013). "Supermarket expansion concerns Crofton Downs residents". Stuff. Dominion Post.
  13. ↑ Judson, Natasha (8 March 2012). "Landmark fruit shop closing". Stuff. Dominion Post.
  14. ↑ "Contact Us". Bowen Hospital. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  15. ↑ "Our History". Bowen Hospital. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "Crofton Downs Retirement Villagw". BUPA. 2022.
  17. ↑ "Where are the water stations?". www.wellingtonwater.co.nz.
  18. ↑ "WELLINGTON HUNTLEIGH". 2021. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  19. ↑ "eLearning Schools Search". Ministry of Education.
  20. 1 2 "Crofton Downs Primary School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  21. ↑ "Crofton Downs Primary School Official School Website". croftondownsprimary.school.nz.
  22. ↑ "Crofton Downs Primary School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  23. ↑ "Welcome to Ngaio Playcentre". Ngaio Playcentre. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  24. ↑ "Ngaio Playcentre - Preschool Education". Yelp. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  25. ↑ Olivia, Wannan (3 December 2015). "Pest-free Wellington spreads beyond fence".
  26. ↑ Thomas, Rachel (1 October 2016). "Wellington's predator-free hero Kelvin Hastie - the smiling assassin".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.