Murchison, New Zealand

During the period 1853 to 1876, the area that became Murchison was administered as part of Nelson Province. The future settlement of Murchison did not come into being until gold was discovered in the area, and the town was surveyed in 1865, under the name Hampden.

File:Hampden Hotel, Murchison, New Zealand.jpg

With the Abolition of Provinces Act 1876, the new Murchison County was created, taking over administration of its area in January 1877, with Hampden as the county's headquarters. The town changed its name to Murchison in 1882, taking its name from the county, to avoid confusion with another South Island town with the same name.{{cite web |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/nelson-places/page-6 |title=Nelson places – Upper Buller River valley |first=Carl |last=Walrond |date=22 April 2015 |website=Te Ara – the encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |accessdate=22 August 2018}}{{cite web |url= http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/keyword/murchison |title=Murchison |publisher=NZHistory.net.nz |accessdate=8 February 2016}}{{cite book |last = Reed |first = A. W. |authorlink = Clif Reed |title = Place Names of New Zealand |year = 2010 |publisher = Raupo |location = Rosedale, North Shore |isbn = 9780143204107 |editor = Peter Dowling |p=263}}

File:Murchison suicide attack 042.jpg

The world's earliest non-military suicide attack is believed to have occurred in Murchison on 14 July 1905. A long-standing dispute between two farmers resulted in a court case, and the defendant (Joseph Sewell) had sticks of gelignite strapped to his body. When Sewell excitedly shouted during the court sitting, "I'll blow the devil to hell, and I have enough dynamite to do just that", he was ushered out of the building. Sewell detonated the charge when a police officer tried to arrest him on the street, and his body was blown to pieces; no one else died from the explosion.{{cite news |last1=Hindmarsh |first1=Gerard |title=NZ suicide bombing a world first |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/opinion/75765195/murchison-suicide-bombing-a-world-first |accessdate=17 January 2016 |work=The Press |date=16 January 2016 |page=A13}}{{cite news |title=The Murchison Tragedy |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NEM19050715.2.18 |accessdate=17 January 2016 |work=Nelson Evening Mail |volume=XL |date=15 July 1905 |page=2}}

Murchison was the epicentre of the 1929 Murchison earthquake, which resulted in the deaths of 17 people, making it the third deadliest earthquake in New Zealand's recorded history.

Murchison County existed until the 1989 local government reforms, when the Tasman District was formed through the amalgamation of the Murchison County, Golden Bay County, Waimea County and Richmond Borough administrative areas.{{cite web |url= http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/28965/local-government-boundaries |title=Nelson region – Government |first=Carl |last=Walrond |work=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage |date=3 August 2015 |access-date=5 November 2018}} Since that time, the urban area of Murchison is administered by the Tasman District council, from the district seat of Richmond.

Murchison is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers {{Convert|4.34|km2||abbr=on}}. and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Murchison|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{NZ population data 2018|Murchison|y}}/4.34|0}} people per km². It is part of the larger Murchison-Nelson Lakes statistical area.

{{Historical populations|2006|336|2013|420|2018|606|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Murchison|source=}}

Murchison had a population of 606 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 186 people (44.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 270 people (80.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 222 households, comprising 306 males and 294 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female, with 111 people (18.3%) aged under 15 years, 72 (11.9%) aged 15 to 29, 324 (53.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 90 (14.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 96.0% European/Pākehā, 5.0% Māori, 0.5% Pasifika, 2.5% Asian, and 1.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.9% had no religion, 27.7% were Christian, 1.0% were Buddhist and 1.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 126 (25.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 57 (11.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 105 people (21.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 264 (53.3%) people were employed full-time, 75 (15.2%) were part-time, and 9 (1.8%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|7022661–7022664}}

The Murchison-Nelson Lakes statistical area, which also includes Saint Arnaud, covers {{Convert|3706.01|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=20 May 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}} and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Murchison-Nelson Lakes|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Murchison-Nelson Lakes|y}}|R}}/3706.01|2}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|1,176|2013|1,182|2018|1,290|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Murchison-Nelson Lakes|source=}}

Murchison-Nelson Lakes had a population of 1,290 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 108 people (9.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 114 people (9.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 564 households, comprising 645 males and 642 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 47.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 210 people (16.3%) aged under 15 years, 156 (12.1%) aged 15 to 29, 672 (52.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 252 (19.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.0% European/Pākehā, 8.6% Māori, 0.9% Pasifika, 2.3% Asian, and 2.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 13.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.0% had no religion, 27.4% were Christian, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 153 (14.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 264 (24.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $28,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 129 people (11.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 585 (54.2%) people were employed full-time, 201 (18.6%) were part-time, and 15 (1.4%) were unemployed.{{NZ census 2018|Murchison-Nelson Lakes (301800)|murchison-nelson-lakes|Murchison-Nelson Lakes}}

Whitewater sports are a popular tourist attraction in Murchison. Nearby rivers include the Gowan River, Mangles River, Matiri River, Glenroy River, Matakitaki River, Maruia River, and the Buller. These rivers vary from Class 2 to 4 whitewater. Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks are nearby, as well as Lake Matiri and Mount Owen.

File:Hodgsons of Murichison.jpg

Hodgsons has been the local store in Murchison for over 100 years.{{Cite web|title=H Hodgsons & Co General Store|url=http://www.visitmurchison.nz/h-hodgsons--co-general-store.html|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Visit Murchison.nz|language=en-US}} It is listed as a historic place category 2 by Heritage New Zealand.{{Cite web|title=Search the List {{!}} Hodgson's Store and Stables {{!}} Heritage New Zealand|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/2970|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.heritage.org.nz}} It was damaged significantly by the 1929 Murchison earthquake.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=West Coast New Zealand History|url=https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/12614|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}

File:Murchison Museum 27.jpg

The Murchison Museum focuses on the effects of the 1929 Murchison Earthquake on the township. it is located at 60 Fairfax Street.{{Cite web|title=Murchison Museum|url=http://www.visitmurchison.nz/murchison-museum.html|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Visit Murchison.nz|language=en-US}}

File:Murichison St Pauls 27.jpg

St Paul's was built in a gothic style on Fairfax Street in 1905. It was designed by Nelson architect David Greg and built by John Downie. It was listed as a category two historic place in 2009.{{Cite web |title=St Paul's Church (Anglican) {{!}} Heritage New Zealand |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/1659 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=www.heritage.org.nz}}

Murchison is located on State Highway 6, {{Convert|11|km|4=0|abbr=on}} east of its junction with State Highway 65 and {{Convert|35|km|4=0|abbr=on}} west of its western junction with State Highway 63. The town is located on the main route connecting Nelson and Marlborough with the West Coast, and one of two main routes connecting Nelson with Christchurch. After the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, which closed State Highway 1 and Main North Line through Kaikōura for 13 months, all traffic north of Christchurch to Nelson, Blenheim, Picton and onwards to the North Island was diverted via Murchison. The resulting detour resulted in traffic volumes through the town more than doubling, with accommodation in the town at capacity and food outlets struggling to cope with the influx.{{Cite web|last=Matthews|first=Philip|date=2016-11-19|title=Earthquake 2016: Remote sleepy towns now on busy highway|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86622102/earthquake-the-highways-and-the-people-who-liove-on-them-reshaped-by-the-quake|url-status=|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Hayward|first=Michael|date=2017-05-13|title=Six months of the alternative highway|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/92411049/six-months-of-the-alternative-highway|url-status=|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Stuff|language=en}} Murchison has one petrol station (Mobil){{Cite web|title=MOBIL MURCHISON|url=http://www.mobil.co.nz/en-nz/find-station/murchison-nelson-mobilmurchison-300400154|access-date=2021-03-17|website=www.mobil.co.nz|language=en-NZ}} and one electric vehicle charging station.{{Cite web|title=Electric vehicle charging stations list view|url=https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/ev-chargers-list-view/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz}}

Network Tasman owns and operates the electricity distribution network in Murchison. Electricity is fed from Transpower's national grid at its Murchison substation, on Matiri Valley Road northeast of the town.{{Cite web|title=Distribution Area|url=https://www.networktasman.co.nz/distribution-area|access-date=2021-02-26|website=www.networktasman.co.nz}}

The Tasman District Council operates reticulated fresh water, stormwater and wastewater systems in Murchison. Fresh water is sourced from two bores west of the town centre, close to the Matakitaki River.{{Cite web|title=Murchison|url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/townships/murchison/|url-status=|access-date=2021-03-17|website=www.tasman.govt.nz}}

File:Murchison Area School 27.jpg

Murchison Area School is a co-educational state area school for Year 1 to 13 students,{{cite web|title=Murchison Area School Official School Website|url=http://www.murchison.school.nz|website=murchison.school.nz}}{{cite web|title=Murchison Area School Ministry of Education School Profile|url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=299|website=educationcounts.govt.nz|publisher=Ministry of Education}} with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|299|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.{{cite web|title=Murchison Area School Education Review Office Report|url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/report-view?id=299|website=ero.govt.nz|publisher=Education Review Office}}

{{maincat|People from Murchison, New Zealand}}

• Annette King – politician and diplomat{{Cite news|url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/annette-king-how-did-a-girl-from-murchison-end-up-here/|title=Annette King 'How did a girl from Murchison end up here'|last=Staff|first=Newstalk ZB|access-date=19 August 2018}}
• Muriel Bell – nutritionist and medical researcher{{DNZB |last=Mein Smith |first=Philippa |author-link=Philippa Mein Smith |date=June 2012 |title=Muriel Emma Bell |id=4b21 |access-date=21 August 2023}}

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Murchison (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1969–1976, 1998–2013)

| Jan record high C = 36.8

| Feb record high C = 36.8

| Mar record high C = 32.0

| Apr record high C = 27.8

| May record high C = 27.4

| Jun record high C = 19.3

| Jul record high C = 18.0

| Aug record high C = 21.7

| Sep record high C = 23.9

| Oct record high C = 27.4

| Nov record high C = 32.4

| Dec record high C = 33.5

| year record high C = 36.8

|Jan high C = 25.8

|Feb high C = 25.8

|Mar high C = 23.1

|Apr high C = 18.8

|May high C = 14.6

|Jun high C = 10.3

|Jul high C = 10.3

|Aug high C = 13.6

|Sep high C = 15.9

|Oct high C = 18.3

|Nov high C = 21.2

|Dec high C = 23.5

| year high C =

|Jan mean C = 18.2

|Feb mean C = 18.3

|Mar mean C = 16.0

|Apr mean C = 12.8

|May mean C = 9.7

|Jun mean C = 6.4

|Jul mean C = 5.7

|Aug mean C = 8.1

|Sep mean C = 9.9

|Oct mean C = 12.0

|Nov mean C = 14.3

|Dec mean C = 16.7

| year mean C =

|Jan low C = 10.7

|Feb low C = 10.9

|Mar low C = 9.0

|Apr low C = 6.7

|May low C = 4.9

|Jun low C = 2.5

|Jul low C = 1.1

|Aug low C = 2.7

|Sep low C = 4.0

|Oct low C = 5.6

|Nov low C = 7.4

|Dec low C = 9.9

| year low C =

|Jan record low C = 0.5

|Feb record low C = 0.5

|Mar record low C = -2.2

|Apr record low C = -3.1

|May record low C = -4.6

|Jun record low C = -8.8

|Jul record low C = -7.4

|Aug record low C = -6.3

|Sep record low C = -4.2

|Oct record low C = -3.5

|Nov record low C = -0.8

|Dec record low C = 0.5

|year record low C = -8.8

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 126.4

|Feb rain mm = 75.4

|Mar rain mm = 89.7

|Apr rain mm = 137.9

|May rain mm = 139.8

|Jun rain mm = 144.7

|Jul rain mm = 151.1

|Aug rain mm = 134.3

|Sep rain mm = 143.3

|Oct rain mm = 167.2

|Nov rain mm = 139.4

|Dec rain mm = 132.1

|year rain mm =

|source 1 = NIWA (rain 1971–2000)

{{cite web

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

|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Murchison Raws

|publisher = NIWA

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

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

|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 3877, 16826)

|publisher = NIWA

|access-date = 15 May 2024}}

}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Tasman District}}

Category:Populated places in the Tasman District