Crofton Downs

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.wcl.govt.nz/blog/index.php/2020/06/09/how-crofton-downs-got-its-name/#:~:text=In%20fact%20Crofton%20is%20one,of%20the%2019th%20century|title=How Crofton Downs got its name|publisher=Wellington City Libraries|author=Gábor Tóth|date=9 June 2020}} 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,{{cite book |last = Reed |first = A. W. |authorlink = Alexander Wyclif Reed |title = Place Names of New Zealand |year = 2010 |publisher = Raupo |location = Rosedale, North Shore |isbn = 9780143204107 |editor = Peter Dowling |page =92}} still stands today and is at 21 Kenya Street.{{Cite web|url=https://wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz/buildings/151-300/174-crofton|title=Crofton - Wellington Heritage|website=wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz}}

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;{{cite news | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7530818/Crofton-Downs-stately-links-to-Britain | title=Crofton Downs' stately links to Britain | work=The Wellingtonian | date=24 August 2012 | accessdate=14 March 2015 | author=Greenland, James}} 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|date=October 2020}} 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.{{Cite journal |last=Bolitho |first=Elaine |date=2013 |title=Who was Doris Gordon? |url=https://www.onslowhistorical.nz/_files/ugd/d1d1a6_30e7230d8cf949b183fa495456b0ce21.pdf |journal=Onslow Historian |volume=43 |pages=6–24 |issn=0110-4896}}

Crofton Downs statistical area covers {{Convert|1.57|km2||abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=12 April 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Crofton Downs|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Crofton Downs|y}}|R}}/1.57|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|1,410|2013|1,548|2018|1,641|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=}}

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a smaller boundary, covering {{Convert|1.31|km2||abbr=on}}. 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.{{NZ census 2018|Crofton Downs (249100)|crofton-downs|Crofton Downs}}

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.{{cite web|title=Crofton Downs Station|url=https://www.metlink.org.nz/stop/CROF|url-status=live|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522175706/http://www.metlink.org.nz/stop/CROF |archive-date=22 May 2010 }}

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.{{cite web|date=2021|title=Find your nearest Mitre 10 store|url=https://www.mitre10.co.nz/store-locator?branchId=C7&storeName=mitre-10-crofton-downs&text=crofton%20downs|url-status=|access-date=1 June 2021}} The adjacent petrol station was closed in late 2022. The veterinary clinic which was part of the supermarket complex has moved to nearby Thatcher Crescent.{{cite web|date=2020|title=Crofton Downs Veterinary Clinic|url=https://croftondownsvet.co.nz/|url-status=live|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114084129/http://croftondownsvet.co.nz/ |archive-date=14 January 2020 }}

The Countdown supermarket was expanded in 2013 and now covers an area of 3,400 m².{{cite news |last1=Romanos |first1=Joseph |title=Supermarket expansion concerns Crofton Downs residents |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/8188219/Supermarket-expansion-concerns-Crofton-Downs-residents |agency=Dominion Post |publisher=Stuff |date=11 February 2013}}{{cite news |last1=Judson |first1=Natasha |title=Landmark fruit shop closing |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/6541552/Landmark-fruit-shop-closing |agency=Dominion Post |publisher=Stuff |date=8 March 2012}}

Bowen Hospital is run by a private charitable trust.{{Cite web|title=Contact Us|url=https://bowen.co.nz/contact/|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Bowen Hospital|language=en}} Now located on Churchill Drive on the southern part of Crofton Downs, it was established on Bowen Street opposite Parliament in 1912.{{cite web | url=http://www.bowen.co.nz/about-us/our-history | title=Our History | publisher=Bowen Hospital | accessdate=14 March 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url= https://www.bupa.co.nz/retirement-villages/find-a-village-near-you/wellington/crofton-downs-retirement-village/ |title= Crofton Downs Retirement Villagw |publisher= BUPA |date=2022}}

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 provides a backup community water facility in case an emergency event such as an earthquake disrupts supplies.{{cite web|url=https://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/your-water/emergency-water/above-ground-emergency-water-network/where-are-the-water-stations/|title=Where are the water stations?|website=www.wellingtonwater.co.nz}}

Huntleigh Guide Centre in Huntleigh park off Silverstream Road is a community facility that can seat up to 100 people.{{cite web|date=2021|title=WELLINGTON HUNTLEIGH|url=https://girlguidingnz.org.nz/venues/huntleigh/|url-status=live|access-date=1 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128071350/https://girlguidingnz.org.nz/venues/huntleigh/ |archive-date=28 January 2019 }}

Crofton Downs is within the enrolment zones for Wellington Girls' College, Onslow College, St Oran's College and Raroa Normal Intermediate.{{cite web | url=http://nzschools.tki.org.nz/ | title=eLearning Schools Search | publisher=Ministry of Education}}

Crofton Downs Primary school is a Decile 10 coeducational contributing state school catering to years 1 to 6. 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.{{cite web |title=Crofton Downs Primary School Official School Website |url=http://www.croftondownsprimary.school.nz |website=croftondownsprimary.school.nz}}{{cite web |title=Crofton Downs Primary School Education Review Office Report |url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=2823 |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=Education Review Office |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=21 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221103141/https://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=2823 |url-status=dead }} It had a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2823|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.{{cite web |title=Crofton Downs Primary School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=2823 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry of Education}}

{{Main | Crofton Downs Railway Station}}

The suburb is served by the Johnsonville Branch commuter railway which connects it to the central city and Johnsonville. It is one stop to Wellington Central Station, and the journey takes 9 minutes. In addition, on weekdays the number 22 bus route runs between Johnsonville and Wellington with stops in 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.{{Cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/74641090/Pest-free-Wellington-spreads-beyond-fence |title=Pest-free Wellington spreads beyond fence |last=Olivia |first=Wannan |date=3 December 2015}} Since its inception in 2014,{{Cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/84726335/Wellingtons-predator-free-hero-Kelvin-Hastie-the-smiling-assassin |title=Wellington's predator-free hero Kelvin Hastie - the smiling assassin |last=Thomas |first=Rachel |date=1 October 2016}} the community model has inspired other communities throughout New Zealand to start their own predator free groups.

{{Reflist}}

{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130218050941/http://northernsuburbs.co.nz/local-business-directory/suburb-profiles/chartwell/ Crofton Downs history]
• [http://www.croftondownsprimary.school.nz/ Crofton Downs Primary School]
• [http://www.ngaioplaycentre.org.nz/ Ngaio Playcentre]
• [http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/visiting_japan/visiting_japan_08_j.html ウェリントン補習授業校 Japan-New Zealand Joint Venture School]
• https://www.metlink.org.nz/getting-around/trains/metlink-railway-stations/crofton-downs-station/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810124557/https://www.metlink.org.nz/getting-around/trains/metlink-railway-stations/crofton-downs-station/ |date=10 August 2020 }}
• {{cite web|url= https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/863569 |title= Photo of Crofton Downs from Ngaio, 1974 |publisher= WCC Archives|date=1974}}

{{Suburbs of Wellington City}}

Category:Suburbs of Wellington City