Heathcote Valley is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is named after Sir William Heathcote, who was secretary of the Canterbury Association.[3][4]

Heathcote Valley
View from gondola into Heathcote Valley
View from gondola into Heathcote Valley
Map
Coordinates: 43°35′S 172°43′E / 43.583°S 172.717°E / -43.583; 172.717
CountryNew Zealand
CityChristchurch
Local authorityChristchurch City Council
Electoral wardHeathcote
Community boardWaihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote
Area
 • Land420 ha (1,040 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total2,400
Woolston Ferrymead Mount Pleasant
Heathcote Valley
Sumner
Port Hills
Heathcote grain silos falling to the wreckers ball on 26 January 2012
The new Triangle Tavern in 2011

Location

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Heathcote is 8 kilometres (5 mi) southeast of the city centre. It is site of the lower terminus of the Christchurch Gondola, which goes up to the top of Mount Cavendish on the Port Hills.[5]

History

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In the past Heathcote was known for its orchards, brickworks and maltworks. The distinctive towers of the Canterbury Malting Company's maltworks dominated the skyline until 2012 when it was demolished to make way for residential developments.[6]

Demographics

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Heathcote Valley covers 4.20 km2 (1.62 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 2,400 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 571 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,172—    
20132,118−0.36%
20182,229+1.03%
Source: [7]

Heathcote Valley had a population of 2,229 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 111 people (5.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 57 people (2.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 873 households, comprising 1,083 males and 1,146 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 44.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 411 people (18.4%) aged under 15 years, 330 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,080 (48.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 405 (18.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.1% European/Pākehā, 6.9% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 2.3% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 20.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.1% had no religion, 30.1% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 459 (25.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 294 (16.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 393 people (21.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 927 (51.0%) people were employed full-time, 315 (17.3%) were part-time, and 36 (2.0%) were unemployed.[7]

Education

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Heathcote Valley School (Māori: Te Kura o Te Tihi o Kahukura) is a full primary school catering for years 1 to 8.[8] It had a roll of 201 as of August 2024.[9] The school started in a private house in 1860 and the first classroom opened in 1861.[10]

Notable residents

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  • Wally Argus – New Zealand rugby international who bought a market garden in Heathcote Valley in 1949
  • Bob Parker – former mayor of Christchurch was brought up here[11]

Further reading

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  • In The Shadow Of The Rock, 150 Years of Heathcote Valley, 2010, Paul Corliss ISBN 9780473169220

References

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  1. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Heathcote". NZ History. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Heathcote Valley & River". Peeling Back History. Annette Bulovic. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  5. ^ "THE CHRISTCHURCH GONDOLA OPENED – 24TH OCTOBER 1992". PEELING BACK HISTORY. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  6. ^ http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/cafca00/Jul00.html Background reading on the company closure
  7. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Heathcote Valley (331900). 2018 Census place summary: Heathcote Valley
  8. ^ Education Counts: Heathcote Valley School
  9. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  10. ^ "A brief history of the school". Te Kura o Te Tihi o Kahukura — Heathcote Valley School. 10 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Mayor Bob Parker – biography". Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original on 22 December 2011.
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