Canvastown
Canvastown | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Canvastown | |
| Coordinates: 41°17′26″S 173°40′13″E / 41.29056°S 173.67028°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Marlborough |
| Ward |
|
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Marlborough District Council |
| • Marlborough District Mayor | Nadine Taylor[1] |
| • Kaikōura MP | Stuart Smith[2] |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 22.44 km2 (8.66 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 census)[4] | |
• Total | 204 |
| • Density | 9.09/km2 (23.5/sq mi) |
Canvastown is a locality at the point where the Wakamarina River joins the Pelorus River, in Marlborough, New Zealand. State Highway 6 runs through the area. Rai Valley is 17 km to the northwest. Havelock is 10 km to the east.[6][7]
The town was founded in 1864, after gold was discovered in the Wakamarina Valley. Up to 6000 miners came to make their fortunes. Where there had previously been a Māori Pā, streets of tents sprang up providing accommodation, restaurants and taverns to a population of about 3000 people. About 25,000 ounces (710,000 g) of gold was recovered in 1864.[8]
The surface gold was worked out within two years and most of the miners moved to new gold discoveries on the West Coast.[9][10] Steam dredges continued to work the river into the 20th century.[11]
Demographics
Canvastown locality covers 22.44 km2 (8.66 sq mi).[5] It is part of the larger Marlborough Sounds West statistical area.[12]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 129 | — |
| 2013 | 129 | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 162 | +4.66% |
| 2023 | 204 | +4.72% |
| Source: [4][13] | ||
Canvastown had a population of 204 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (25.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 75 people (58.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 96 males and 108 females in 78 dwellings.[14] 2.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 45.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 45 people (22.1%) aged under 15 years, 24 (11.8%) aged 15 to 29, 102 (50.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (16.2%) aged 65 or older.[4]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 97.1% European (Pākehā); 17.6% Māori; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.5%, Māori by 2.9%, and other languages by 2.9%. No language could be spoken by 2.9% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 7.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.[4]
Religious affiliations were 22.1% Christian, 1.5% Hindu, 1.5% Islam, 1.5% Buddhist, and 1.5% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 70.6%, and 7.4% of people did not answer the census question.[4]
Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (7.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 102 (64.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 42 (26.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $26,900, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (3.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 75 (47.2%) full-time, 24 (15.1%) part-time, and 3 (1.9%) unemployed.[4]
Education
Canvastown School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 29.[15] The school was built in 1877[16] and celebrated its 125th Jubilee in 2002.[17]
Deek Creek School in the Wakamarina Valley opened in 1883 and closed about 1945.[18]: 127–128, 169
Marae
Te Hora Marae is located in Canvastown. It is the marae (meeting ground) of Ngāti Kuia and includes Te Hora wharenui (meeting house).[19][20]
In October 2020, the Government committed $32,318 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating four jobs.[21]
Notable people
- Vanessa Weenink (born 1978), National Party politician; grew up in Canvastown[22]
See also
References
- ^ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
- ^ "Kaikōura - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ "Te Tai Tonga – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7023226. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 60. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.
- ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 138. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
- ^ "Gold Discoveries – Wakamarina and the West Coast". Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966).
- ^ "Gold and gold mining – Other goldfields". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
- ^ McIntosh, Alister; Redman, William Edward; Allen, William Raymond, eds. (1940). Marlborough: A Provincial History. Blenheim: Marlborough Provincial Historical Committee. p. 241.
- ^ Marlborough Historical Society (2005). Click – A Captured Moment – Marlborough's Early Heritage. Blenheim: Marlborough Historical Society. p. 200. ISBN 0-473-10475-X.
- ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7023226.
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Te Kete Ipurangi – Canvastown School". Ministry of Education. Archived from the original on 23 March 2002.
- ^ "Canvastown School (X1719)". National Register of Archives and Manuscripts. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
- ^ "Jubilees & reunions: Canvastown School". Education Gazette New Zealand. 81 (5). 25 March 2002. Archived from the original on 10 November 2003.
- ^ "Havelock" (PDF). Wairarapa School History. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Q+A with Dr. Vanessa Weenink". Cantabrian Magazine. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.