Reefton
Reefton | |
|---|---|
 Broadway | |
 | |
| Coordinates:42°6′55″S171°51′47″E/ 42.11528°S 171.86306°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast |
| District | Buller District |
| Ward | Inangahua Ward |
| Community | Inangahua Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Buller District Council |
| • Regional council | West Coast Regional Council |
| •Mayor of Buller | Jamie Cleine |
| •West Coast-Tasman MP | Maureen Pugh |
| •Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.63 km2(1.02 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[2] | |
| • Total | 980 |
| • Density | 370/km2(970/sq mi) |
Reeftonis a small town in theWest Coastregion of New Zealand, approximately 80 km (50 mi) northeast ofGreymouth,in theInangahua Rivervalley.Ahaurais 44 km (27 mi) south-west of Reefton,Inangahua Junctionis 34 km (21 mi) to the north,Maruiais 63 km (39 mi) to the east, and theLewis Passis 66 km (41 mi) to the south-east.[3][4]
In 1888, it was the first town in New Zealand to be lit by electricity, generated by theReefton Power Station.Reefton was a thriving gold mining town in the late 19th century, and gold mining lasted from the 1870s to the 1950s. Its economy is based on tourism, forestry, coal mining, and farming.
Reefton is home to the Inangahua County Library.[5]
Name
The rich veins of gold found in aquartzreef near the town led to its name, originally spelled "Reef Town". Two nicknames in use soon after it was founded were "Rest Town" and "Quartzopolis".[6]The main street, Broadway, was named after West Coast magistrateCharles Broad.[7]The nearby Wealth of Nations mine was named afterAdam Smith's bookbecause the gold been discovered by another Adam Smith (no relation).[6]
History
- 1866 – Alluvial gold discovered in the Īnangahua Valley
- 1870 – Quartz reefs discovered at Reefton
- 1872 –Reefton Hospitalopened
- 1886 –Reefton School of Minesopened
- 1888 – Town electricity supply commenced
- 1892 – Railway line opened
- 1908 – Rail line to Cronadun opened
- 1912 –Mine workers locked out[8]
- 1967 – Rail passenger services ceased
Gold mining
(U.S. English,Stamp mill)
Alluvial gold was first discovered near the town in 1866; the major discovery of gold in quartz reefs was made in 1870 and gold was being extracted by 1872.[6][7]Mining from quartz reefs only took place at Reefton andLyell.[7]
An earlier settlement, known as Ross Town, had been established on the opposite bank of theInangahua Riveraround 1870, but most businesses shifted across the river in 1871 to be nearer the quartz mining.[6]There were mines at nearby locations such asWaiutaandBlacks Point.[7]
There was a downturn in the industry in the 1880s due to lack of money to develop deeper mines.[7]Consolidated Goldfields New Zealand formed in 1896 and ran several mines.[7][9]Technology was modernised and theReefton School of Minesopened in 1887 to apply more scientific knowledge to mining.[9]Blackwater mine operated from 1908 until 1951, when a shaft collapsed. It reopened asSnowy Rivermine in December 2020 and employed 60 staff, who had dug 9 km (5.6 mi) of tunnels by 2024, with plans for further expansion.[10]Globe Progress mine produced 610,000 ounces (17 t) of gold as anopencastpit from 2007 to 2016.[11]
Electricity
In 1888 Reefton became the first town in New Zealand to receive electricity,[12]the work of Walter Prince,[13]and its streets were lit by commercial electricity generated by theReefton Power Station.The power station was demolished in 1961 but the Reefton Power House Charitable Trust Inc has raised $4.5 million for a restructure project, and work started on buildings and a 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) water race in 2019.[14]
Geography
Climate
Located in the Inangahua Valley at an altitude of 194m, Reefton falls under the Köppen-Geiger climate classification of Cfb (Oceanic), though the town's sheltered inland location lends its climate less maritime influence than coastal areas; as such, Reefton has recorded both the extreme highest temperature of 33.7 °C (92.7 °F) and the extreme lowest temperature of -8.5 °C (16.7 °F) in the West Coast region. At an average temperature of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F), February is the warmest month. July is the coldest month, at 5.4 °C (41.7 °F). Reefton's average annual temperature is 11.7 °C. Due to the town's inland location, summer afternoons are often considerably warmer in Reefton than coastal locations such as Greymouth or Westport, and it is not uncommon for winter mornings to be several degrees colder; nightly inversions of temperature are common due to the local geography, which encourages frequent periods of calm air. An average of 24 days per year will exceed 25 °C (77 °F); during an average winter, Reefton can expect to see 46 days of air frost and 61 days of ground frost. The Reefton area is the driest in the West Coast; this is largely due to the rain-shadow effect of the Paparoa Range.
| Climate data for Reefton (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 33.7 (92.7) |
33.5 (92.3) |
30.1 (86.2) |
25.6 (78.1) |
22.1 (71.8) |
19.0 (66.2) |
18.9 (66.0) |
19.4 (66.9) |
24.8 (76.6) |
26.2 (79.2) |
30.9 (87.6) |
32.2 (90.0) |
33.7 (92.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 23.4 (74.1) |
23.6 (74.5) |
21.2 (70.2) |
17.4 (63.3) |
13.7 (56.7) |
10.5 (50.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
12.4 (54.3) |
14.9 (58.8) |
16.7 (62.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
21.5 (70.7) |
17.0 (62.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 17.3 (63.1) |
17.4 (63.3) |
15.2 (59.4) |
12.1 (53.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
6.2 (43.2) |
5.4 (41.7) |
7.4 (45.3) |
9.6 (49.3) |
11.4 (52.5) |
13.4 (56.1) |
15.9 (60.6) |
11.7 (53.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.2 (52.2) |
11.2 (52.2) |
9.2 (48.6) |
6.9 (44.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
2.0 (35.6) |
0.7 (33.3) |
2.3 (36.1) |
4.3 (39.7) |
6.1 (43.0) |
7.8 (46.0) |
10.3 (50.5) |
6.4 (43.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 0.7 (33.3) |
0.5 (32.9) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−8.5 (16.7) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
−8.5 (16.7) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 138.6 (5.46) |
101.8 (4.01) |
108.6 (4.28) |
143.0 (5.63) |
170.8 (6.72) |
189.7 (7.47) |
161.8 (6.37) |
179.1 (7.05) |
176.6 (6.95) |
182.1 (7.17) |
149.7 (5.89) |
162.4 (6.39) |
1,864.2 (73.39) |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 223.3 | 195.1 | 174.9 | 129.4 | 89.6 | 70.7 | 90.8 | 113.8 | 147.6 | 157.2 | 197.9 | 204.9 | 1,795.2 |
| Source: NIWA[15][16] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
Reefton covers 2.63 km2(1.02 sq mi)[1]and had an estimated population of 980 as of June 2024,[2]with a population density of 373 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1996[17] | 1,044 | — |
| 2001[17] | 987 | −1.12% |
| 2006[18] | 981 | −0.12% |
| 2013[18] | 1,056 | +1.06% |
| 2018[18] | 927 | −2.57% |
| Population counts from theNew Zealand census.Populations before 2006 may use slightly different boundaries. | ||
Reefton had a population of 927 at the2018 New Zealand census,a decrease of 129 people (−12.2%) since the2013 census,and a decrease of 54 people (−5.5%) since the2006 census.There were 447 households, comprising 471 males and 456 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 51.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 132 people (14.2%) aged under 15 years, 120 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 453 (48.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 222 (23.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.0% European/Pākehā,13.3%Māori,1.0%Pasifika,2.9%Asian,and 2.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.1% had no religion, 32.0% wereChristian,0.6% hadMāori religious beliefs,0.3% wereMuslimand 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 63 (7.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 246 (30.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $22,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 78 people (9.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 306 (38.5%) people were employed full-time, 117 (14.7%) were part-time, and 24 (3.0%) were unemployed.[18]
Economy
Gold mining recommenced in 2007 whenOceana Goldopened a new mine.[7]In 2013 it employed 260 people.[19]The mine closed in 2016 and Oceana Gold has undertaken an environmental rehabilitation programme at the site.[20]
A new gold mine is planned to open in 2024, it is expected to employ 100 people.[21][22]
Other industries in the town are coal mining, forestry, tourism and servicing the farming industry.[7]
Transport
Reefton is located at the intersection ofState Highway 7andState Highway 69.
Rail
Reefton is located on theStillwater–Westport Linerailway,which diverges from theMidland LineinStillwater.On 29 February 1892, the line was opened to Reefton, but it terminated on the southern bank of the Inangahua River opposite the town. Early in the 20th century, a bridge was built across the river and the present-day station established in Reefton. The line was opened beyond Reefton toCronadunin 1908, but it was not until 5 December 1943 that the line officially became a through route toWestport,though trains had been operating the length of the line since July 1942. On 3 August 1936, arailcarpassenger service began operating in the morning betweenHokitikaand Reefton utilising smallLeyland diesel railcars,but low patronage meant this service ceased to operate all the way to Reefton in August 1938. In the early 1940s, much largerVulcan railcarswere introduced to New Zealand and they provided two services to Reefton: one local service from Greymouth that terminated in Reefton, and a service that ran between Westport and Stillwater to connect with the West Coast Express. In 1967, all passenger services through Reefton ceased. Today, the primary traffic on the railway is coal, with multiple coal trains operating daily.
Education
The first state school in Reefton was founded in 1878, and there were once 24 schools in the area.[23]
Reefton Area School is a composite (years 1–13) school with a roll of 162 as of August 2024.[24][25]It was formed by the merger of Reefton School and Inangahua College (earlier called Reefton District High School)[23]in 2004.[26]
Sacred Heart Schoolis a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 27.[27]It is a state integrated Catholic school.[28]Both schools are coeducational.
Broadcast and print media
The first newspaper to be printed in Reefton was theInangahua Herald and New Zealand Miner,which began as a twice-weekly paper in February 1872, its joint owner beingJoseph Ivess,[29]who went on to found many other newspapers.[30]It was appearing three times a week by 1874 and became a daily in 1894. Its owner and editor from 1909 was Maud L. G. Beresford Wilkinson.[31]
Its main rival, theInangahua Times,was established byWilliam Joseph Pottsin 1875.[32]Potts was editor ofAhaura'sGrey Valley Timesin 1873, and in 1874 he started the short-livedReefton Courier and Inangahua Advertiserwhich survived only to the end of the year, and was the predecessor of theTimes.TheTimesinitially appeared three times a week, but by 1891 was a daily.[32]Potts owned theTimesuntil his death in 1901, and his wife Mary Potts was editor from 1897 to 1905.[31][33]
For a short time Reefton, with a population of just 2000 and a circulation area of 4648,[33]was home to three competing daily papers: the third, theReefton Guardian,was first published in 1888, and was bought out by theInangahua Timesin 1894.[32]All three papers were served for more than fifty years by the compositor, editor, and publisher James Noble, who started at theGuardianand eventually became editor and publisher of theTimes.[31][33]TheHeraldsuccumbed to the Depression in 1936 and merged with theTimesin 1936. After James Noble theTimeswas run by Ernest Nicholson until it ceased publication on 6 June 1942, a casualty of war shortages.[33]It was revived in 1946 by Reefton's Presbyterian minister Rev. C. R. (Bob) Sprackett as theInangahua-Murchison Times,printed in Greymouth, which survived as a weekly until 1956.[33]
Locally received radio stations include repeaters of bothThe HitsfromGreymouthandCoast FMfromWestport.TheGreymouth Starnewspaper is also received daily in the town.
Notable people
- Marty Banks– rugby union player, born and grew up in Reefton
- Amy Castle– museum curator and entomologist, born in Reefton
- Myra Cohen– barber, dental assistant, entertainer and milliner[34]
- Elisabeth Croll– anthropologist, born in Reefton
- Phill Jones– basketball player, grew up in Reefton
- Melanie Nolan– labour and gender historian, born in Reefton
- Edward Smyrk– cricketer, born in Reefton
Gallery
-
Broadway -
Reefton Court House -
Reefton Oddfellows Hall -
Broadway Tearooms & Bakery -
Reefton Roman Catholic Church -
Old Knox Church -
Blacks Point Museum -
Reefton Masonic building -
-
- Reefton Oddfellows Hall
-
-
-
Roll of members
References
- ^ab"ArcGIS Web Application".statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.Retrieved3 August2023.
- ^ab"Aotearoa Data Explorer".Statistics New Zealand.Retrieved26 October2024.
- ^Peter Dowling, ed. (2004).Reed New Zealand Atlas.Reed Books. map 64.ISBN0-7900-0952-8.
- ^Roger Smith, GeographX (2005).The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand.Robbie Burton. map 149.ISBN1-877333-20-4.
- ^"Buller District Council, New Zealand » Library locations & opening hours".Retrieved23 September2020.
- ^abcdReed, A. W. (1979).The Reed dictionary of New Zealand place names(2002 ed.). Auckland [N.Z.]: Reed. p. 433.ISBN0-7900-0761-4.OCLC49290681.
- ^abcdefghNathan, Simon (2009)."Reefton".teara.govt.nz.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^"The Reefton lockout,"Maoriland Worker,14 June 1912. Archived at paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ab"Reefton".The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts].Christchurch: Cyclopedia Company Limited. 1906 – via NZETC.
- ^"Australian miner buying Reefton mine".RNZ.18 January 2024.Retrieved8 March2024.
- ^"Reefton Restoration Project – OceanaGold".Retrieved8 March2024.
- ^McKinnon, Malcolm, ed. (1997).New Zealand Historical Atlas.David Bateman. Plate 88.
- ^"Reefton Power Station".Engineering Heritage New Zealand.Retrieved29 June2016.
- ^"Power to the People".RNZ.15 November 2019.Retrieved12 September2020.
- ^ "CliFlo – National Climate Database: Reefton Ews".NIWA.Retrieved19 May2024.
- ^"CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 3925)".NIWA.Retrieved20 July2024.
- ^ab"Reefton Urban Area Community Profile(published)".Archived fromthe originalon 8 May 2016.Retrieved13 April2016.
- ^abcd"Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census".Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Reefton (309800).2018 Census place summary: Reefton
- ^"OceanaGold reviews Reefton mining".Stuff.27 May 2013.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^"High praise from DOC for Aussie goldminer's Reefton project".RNZ.6 March 2021.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^"New Reefton gold mine promises to provide 'many opportunities' for locals".Stuff.7 August 2020.Retrieved10 August2020.
- ^"Reefton going for gold again".RNZ.13 December 2019.Retrieved8 April2021.
- ^ab"District School Reunion"(PDF).2003. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 26 May 2010.
- ^"New Zealand Schools Directory".New Zealand Ministry of Education.Retrieved17 September2024.
- ^Education Counts: Reefton Area School
- ^"School Mergers, Closures and New Schools"(XLS).Education Counts. 2004.
- ^Education Counts: Sacred Heart School
- ^"Education Review Report: Sacred Heart School (Reefton)".Education Review Office. December 2007.
- ^"GREY RIVER ARGUS".paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.5 February 1872.Retrieved21 August2021.
- ^"Ivess, Joseph".teara.govt.nz.1993.Retrieved21 August2021.
- ^abcKay, Rupert A. (1960). "Westland's early newspapers".Westland's Golden Century 1860–1960.Christchurch: Westland Centennial Council. p. 107.
- ^abc"Inangahua Times".Papers Past.Retrieved15 February2021.
- ^abcdeLatham, Darrell (1984).Reefs of Gold.Christchurch: Pegasus. p. 264.ISBN0-908568-12-6.
- ^McKergow, Fiona."Myra Cohen".Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.Ministry for Culture and Heritage.Retrieved23 April2017.
External links
- Reefton i-SITE Visitor Centre
- Department of Conservation– Reefton short walks
- Reefton Area School
| International | |
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| National | |
