Cheviot, New Zealand

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Cheviot

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| settlement_type = Town

| image_skyline = CheviotMainStreet3.JPG

| imagesize =

| image_alt = A straight street, divided by painted lines, passing through a town. The street is lined by parked vehicles, trees and buildings. Two men dressed in t-shirts and short are crossing the road from left to right in the middle distance.

| image_caption = Hall St (State Highway 1), the main street of Cheviot

| image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|42|48|46|S|173|16|26|E}}|zoom=6}}

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|42|48|46|S|173|16|26|E|display=inline,title}}

| coor_pinpoint =

| coordinates_footnotes =

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = New Zealand

| subdivision_type1 = Region

| subdivision_name1 = Canterbury

| subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority

| subdivision_name2 = Hurunui District

| subdivision_type3 = Ward

| subdivision_name3 = East Ward

| seat_type = Electorates

| seat = {{ubl|Kaikōura|Te Tai Tonga}}

| leader_title = Territorial Authority

| leader_name = Hurunui District Council

| leader_title1 = Regional council

| leader_name1 = Environment Canterbury

| leader_title2 = Mayor of Hurunui

| leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Hurunui District Mayor|y}}

| leader_title3 = Kaikoura MP

| leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Kaikōura MP|y}}

| leader_title4 = Te Tai Tonga MP

| leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}}

| established_title =

| established_date =

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_m = 60

| elevation_ft =

| area_footnotes =

| area_total_km2 = 1.05

| population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}

| population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}

| population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Cheviot|y}}

| population_density_km2 = auto

| timezone1 = New Zealand Standard Time

| utc_offset1 = +12

| timezone1_DST = New Zealand Daylight Time

| utc_offset1_DST = +13

| postal_code_type = Postcode

| postal_code = 7310

| area_code_type =

| area_code = 03

| website = {{URL|https://www.cheviotnz.com/}}

| blank_name = Local iwi

| blank_info = Ngāi Tahu

| footnotes =

| official_name =

}}

Cheviot ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|ᵻ|v|i|ə|t}}) is a town in the Hurunui District of north Canterbury, on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1, approximately {{convert|112|km|mi|abbr=}} north of Christchurch and {{convert|68|km|mi|abbr=}} south of Kaikōura.

History and naming

The government under Minister of Lands John McKenzie bought the Cheviot Hills estate between 1892 and 1893 from the descendants of William Robinson.{{DNZB|last=Brooking|first=Tom|id=2m17|title=McKenzie, John 1839–1901|accessdate=9 April 2011}}{{DNZB|last=Gardner |first= William James |id=1r14 |title=Robinson, William - Biography|accessdate=29 September 2012}} The Cheviot Hills estate was broken into 54 farms and a township, which was originally called McKenzie.{{cite web|title=Subdividing Cheviot Hills - roadside stories |url= http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/video/subdividing-cheviot-hills-roadside-stories |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|access-date=29 September 2012|date=30 August 2012}} This name was "in widespread use for a decade or two" but gradually fell into disuse. The Cheviot county council was formed 1895. In 1901 the township had a population of 113.{{Cite web|title=[Cheviot and McKenzie] {{!}} NZETC|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d4-d36-d1.html|access-date=2021-04-08|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}

A large earthquake measuring 6.9 hit near Cheviot on 16 November 1901. A number of buildings were badly damaged and one death was reported.{{Cite web|title=Major New Zealand earthquakes since 1855 - New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PLEcoRP2016031/major-new-zealand-earthquakes-since-1855|access-date=2021-06-05|website=www.parliament.nz|language=en}}

The post office was always known as Cheviot and by at least 1913 the township too was generally known as Cheviot.Wilson, John. "Cheviot Kingdom to County". Rangiora Printing Service, 1993, page 151. {{Listed Invalid ISBN|0-473-10321-5}}. The difference in spelling between politician John McKenzie and the MacKenzie township is attributed to a mistake made by the then Commissioner of Crown Lands, Canterbury, John Marchant, on an early map. Cheviot Hills estate had been named by its original lease holder, John Scott Caverhill, after his home country, the Cheviot Hills straddling the Anglo-Scottish border.{{cite book |last=Reed |first=A. W. |title=Place Names of New Zealand |year=2010 |publisher=Raupo |location=Rosedale, North Shore |isbn=9780143204107 |page = 79|editor=Peter Dowling }}

The Robinson homestead burned down in 1936. Its foundations and grounds became part of the Cheviot Hills Domain, with the homestead's original front steps part of the cricket pavilion.{{Cite web|title=Cheviot's History|url=https://www.cheviotnz.com/cheviot-history|access-date=2021-04-08|website=Welcome to Cheviot, New Zealand!|language=en-GB}}

The Cheviot County rural water supply was opened in 1971. It cost $420,000 and supplies water to an area of 128,000 acres through 190 miles of pipes. A fountain, which sits outside the local school, was built to commemorate the event.Plaque on the fountain.

Demographics

Cheviot is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers {{Convert|1.05|km2||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=2024-05-23|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Cheviot|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Cheviot|y}}|R}}/1.05|0}} people per km². Cheviot is part of the larger Parnassus statistical area.{{NZ census place summary 2018|parnassus|Parnassus}}

{{Historical populations|1901|219|2001|393|2006|390|2013|366|2018|372|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{cite web | url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz//tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d4-d36-d1.html | title=Cheviot and McKenzie | publisher=NZETC | access-date=2 November 2014 | author=Cyclopedia of New Zealand}}}}

File:Cheviot 28.jpg

Cheviot had a population of 372 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (1.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 18 people (−4.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 177 households, comprising 183 males and 186 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female, with 60 people (16.1%) aged under 15 years, 39 (10.5%) aged 15 to 29, 144 (38.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 129 (34.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 87.1% European/Pākehā, 21.8% Māori, 4.0% Pasifika, 2.4% Asian, and 0.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 45.2% had no religion, 40.3% were Christian, 1.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Muslim and 0.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (5.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 93 (29.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 21 people (6.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 108 (34.6%) people were employed full-time, 63 (20.2%) were part-time, and 9 (2.9%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|7023857 and 7023858}}

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 one full-time police officer. Surrounding settlements include:

=Domett=

Originally a railway town, Domett is now only populated by farms and a petrol station. Next to the Old Main Road/Hurunui Mouth Road junction is the old Domett Railway Station, relocated and refurbished as a cafe. Domett Service Station provides after-hours sale of fuel (with surcharge): most service stations in the area close around 6pm.

=Spotswood=

Spotswood has an old hall that is still used regularly, and mainly consists of farms around Waiau East Road.

=Parnassus=

Parnassus has a higher population than the other settlements, although the local Parnassus School was closed in 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hurunui.govt.nz/services/community-facilities/halls/parnassus-hall/|title=Parnassus Hall · Hurunui District Council|last=Silverstripe|website=www.hurunui.govt.nz|language=en-NZ|access-date=2017-03-31|archive-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331220326/http://www.hurunui.govt.nz/services/community-facilities/halls/parnassus-hall/|url-status=dead}} 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 owners' permission. On the State Highway north of Parnassus is Leader Road which leads to the townships of Waiau, Rotherham, Culverden and Hanmer Springs.

=Gore Bay=

File:Gore Bay, 1874.jpg]]

Gore Bay is a surfing beach with summer beach houses and 14 permanent residents. There are two local camping grounds, each with beach access and business. It is a popular New Year's Eve venue.

Of note is Cathedral Gully, a spectacular weathered clay canyon.

=Port Robinson=

File:The Wool Season by John Gibb.jpg, oil on canvas]]

Once a prospering port, Port Robinson is now an abandoned wreck. The old wharf may still be seen, but it is in a dangerous state of disrepair.

=Stonyhurst Station=

Stonyhurst is a farming station in the Blythe Valley, southwest of Cheviot.

It was founded in 1851 by Frederick Weld and Charles Clifford. He had gained his impression when walking from Lyttelton to Flaxbourne, in Marlborough. Clifford landed sheep on the beach just south of the Blythe River which was later known as Stonyhurst Station, named after Stonyhurst College in England where they were both educated.

The farm originally occupied nearly {{convert|30000|ha}}, the whole of the Blythe Valley. About {{convert|12000|ha}} was sold in 1863, and a further {{convert|4000|ha}} a decade later. In about 1900, much of the rest of the land was subdivided. The current station is about one tenth of the original area.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4429889a21056.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223091232/http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4429889a21056.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2013|title=Where a station once grew|publisher=The Press|first=Mike|last=Crean|date=8 March 2008|access-date=2008-06-25}}

The area is described by the local authority as "a potentially significant natural area",{{cite web|url=http://www.hurunui.govt.nz/Documents/Publications/District|title=Natural Environment|page=83|format=PDF|publisher=Hurunui District Council|work=District Plan|access-date=2008-06-25}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} and the manager's cottage is a Category II protected building under the Historic Places Act.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurunui.govt.nz/Documents/Publications/District|page=95|format=PDF|title=Heritage|publisher=Hurunui District Council|work=District Plan|access-date=2008-06-25}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Education

File:CheviotAreaSchool.JPG

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. In 1937, it became the Cheviot District High School.

Cheviot Area School is a composite, co-educational school for Year 1 to 13 students. It also has a wider role providing continuing education, facilities and support for community groups.{{cite web |title=Cheviot Area School Official School Website |url=http://www.cheviot.school.nz |website=cheviot.school.nz/}} The closest main contributing school, Parnassus, a year 1-6 school, closed in 2008.{{cite web |title=Cheviot Area School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=309 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office}} It had a roll of {{NZ school roll data|309|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.{{cite web |title=Cheviot Area School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=309 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}}

The large oak trees in the school grounds were planted to commemorate those former students who died in World War 2.Plaque in the school grounds

Cheviot Area School competes in the Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival sporting competition with schools in Akaroa, Amuri, Hawarden, Oxford, and Rangiora. It also takes part in international exchanges with schools in Japan and Canada.

The township has two preschools, Cheviot Learning Centre and The Tree Hut.

Climate

The mean yearly highest temperature for Cheviot from 2008–2024 was {{convert|34.8|°C|0}}. {{cite web|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 31832)|publisher = NIWA|access-date = 29 Jul 2024 }}

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Cheviot (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1982–present)

| Jan record high C = 37.9

| Feb record high C = 37.8

| Mar record high C = 35.4

| Apr record high C = 30.4

| May record high C = 28.2

| Jun record high C = 24.0

| Jul record high C = 22.6

| Aug record high C = 26.3

| Sep record high C = 25.2

| Oct record high C = 29.8

| Nov record high C = 33.1

| Dec record high C = 36.1

| year record high C = 37.9

|Jan high C = 23.3

|Feb high C = 23.2

|Mar high C = 21.0

|Apr high C = 18.1

|May high C = 15.5

|Jun high C = 12.3

|Jul high C = 12.2

|Aug high C = 13.2

|Sep high C = 15.0

|Oct high C = 17.6

|Nov high C = 19.1

|Dec high C = 21.5

| year high C =

|Jan mean C = 17.0

|Feb mean C = 16.7

|Mar mean C = 14.6

|Apr mean C = 11.7

|May mean C = 9.6

|Jun mean C = 6.7

|Jul mean C = 6.6

|Aug mean C = 7.5

|Sep mean C = 9.5

|Oct mean C = 11.5

|Nov mean C = 13.2

|Dec mean C = 15.4

| year mean C =

|Jan low C = 10.7

|Feb low C = 10.2

|Mar low C = 8.2

|Apr low C = 5.4

|May low C = 3.6

|Jun low C = 1.2

|Jul low C = 0.9

|Aug low C = 1.8

|Sep low C = 3.9

|Oct low C = 5.5

|Nov low C = 7.3

|Dec low C = 9.3

| year low C =

|Jan record low C = 0.0

|Feb record low C = 0.0

|Mar record low C = -4.4

|Apr record low C = -3.3

|May record low C = -6.3

|Jun record low C = -7.9

|Jul record low C = -8.1

|Aug record low C = -6.0

|Sep record low C = -4.9

|Oct record low C = -4.4

|Nov record low C = -3.0

|Dec record low C = -2.0

|year record low C = -8.1

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 37.3

|Feb rain mm = 52.7

|Mar rain mm = 47.9

|Apr rain mm = 66.4

|May rain mm = 54.5

|Jun rain mm = 82.8

|Jul rain mm = 66.7

|Aug rain mm = 62.0

|Sep rain mm = 51.3

|Oct rain mm = 70.3

|Nov rain mm = 46.3

|Dec rain mm = 45.0

|year rain mm =

|Jan sun = 257.6

|Feb sun = 219.8

|Mar sun = 199.6

|Apr sun = 165.2

|May sun = 164.0

|Jun sun = 134.7

|Jul sun = 148.8

|Aug sun = 169.5

|Sep sun = 200.0

|Oct sun = 221.4

|Nov sun = 242.2

|Dec sun = 235.6

|year sun =

|source 1 = NIWA

{{cite web

|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz

|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Cheviot Ews

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 19 May 2024}}{{cite web

|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/

|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 4566, 12715, 31832)