Cheviot, New Zealand

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Cheviot is a town located 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 110 Km north of Christchurch. Cheviot is named for the nearby Cheviot Hills, themselves named after the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland.

1 Population
2 The region
3 Places of interest
4 Schooling
5 External links
6 References

[edit] Population

At the time of the 2001 New Zealand census of population and dwellings, the population of Cheviot was 323, a decrease of 48 over the previous five years. A further 980 people lived in the rural areas serviced by the town or in adjacent villages such as Domett, Gore Bay and Port Robinson.

[edit] The region

Image:CheviotAreaMap.gif

Cheviot is a service town for highway traffic and for a pastoral farming district. Surrounding settlements include:

[edit] Domett

Domett is a couple of farms and a petrol station, with the Old Main Road/Hurunui River Mouth Road junction.

[edit] Spotswood

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

[edit] Parnassus

Parnassus is slightly larger than the others, and it is the only one of Cheviot's surrounding settlements to still have its own school. The famous Waiau River road/rail bridge was here, before abandoned.

[edit] Gore Bay

Gore Bay is a great surfing beach, and has many Summer Beach Houses, along with only 14 permanent residents. There are two local camping grounds, each with great beach access and business. It is a popular New Year's Eve venue. Of note is Cathedral Gully, a spectacular weathered clay canyon.

[edit] Port Robinson

Once a prospering port, Port Robinson is now just a wreck really. The old wharf may still be seen, but it's rather dangerous.

[edit] Places of interest

The Cheviot Tearooms, a quaint resting place on State Highway One, in the middle of Cheviot, it's a great place to stop for a cup of tea.
The Magpies Rest, Cheviot's local restaurant.
The Paddock, Cheviot's competition restaurant.
St Anne's Lagoon, a nature reserve which used to provide Māori settlements around the area with eel, about 2km north of Cheviot.
Cheviot Hills Domain and Mansion Foundation, historical home of the founder of Cheviot, William "Ready Money" Robinson. The front steps of the Mansion are still in place, and lead into the Cricket pavilion.

[edit] Schooling

Schooling in Cheviot commenced in 1894. The first school was the McKenzie School located where the A&P Showgrounds are today. The name did not change to Cheviot School until 1931.From its inception, the school only provided primary education up to Form Two. In 1937, the school became the Cheviot District High School. The increased staffing and resources received with its new status enabled it to become the progressive school it is today. Students now have the opportunity to study courses throughout the full range of compulsory education. Use is made of distance learning to ensure a broad range of subjects and programmes for Year 11-13 students. Cheviot Area School is a composite, co-educational school catering for Year 1-13 students.It also has a wider role providing continuing education, facilities and support for community groups. The closest main contributing school, Parnassus, a year 1-6 school, is due to close down. The community contains two pre-schools - Cheviot Learning Centre and The Tree Hut. There is very strong community support for the school and an active Home & School Association.

Cheviot Area School competes in a sporting competition called CASAFest (Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival) with other schools in Akaroa, Amuri, Hawarden, Oxford, and Rangiora.