Addington, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Addington
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Suburb
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St Mary's Anglican Church, a central landmark of Addington
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 Addington
Location in New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Christchurch |
| Electoral ward |
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| Established | 1860 |
| Area | |
| • Land | 263 ha (650 acre) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 6,080 |
| Postcode(s) |
8041
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  Addington, New Zealand  |
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Addington is a busy suburb in Christchurch, New Zealand. It's located about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) southwest of the city center. This area is a mix of homes, shops, and light industrial businesses.
Contents
Where is Addington?
Addington is nestled between the suburbs of Spreydon and Riccarton. Blenheim Road forms the border with Riccarton. To the east, you'll find Sydenham, and to the west is Middleton.
A Look Back in Time
How Addington Grew
When Christchurch was first founded in 1850, Addington was mostly farmland. But in the early 1860s, things began to change. A railway line was planned through the area, and the large farms started to be divided into smaller sections.
Factories soon moved in, and buildings for storing wool and grain opened. With these new industries, homes were built for the workers. Addington quickly grew into a busy place.
In 1874, the city's animal sale yards opened here. The important railway workshops also moved to Addington in 1880. By 1887, when the show grounds opened, Addington had become a key part of Christchurch's industrial and community life.
The suburb was named after Addington Palace in England. This was the home of Archbishop John Sumner, who was a key person in the group that founded Canterbury.
Addington in the 1900s
The New Zealand Railways Department's Addington Railway Workshops were a big part of Addington for many years. They closed in the 1990s. Today, only a historic concrete water tower remains from the workshops. This tower is now a central feature of the Tower Junction shopping complex.
A new Christchurch railway station opened in Addington in 1994. It replaced an older station. This station is mainly used by the TranzAlpine train, which takes passengers on a beautiful 223-kilometer (139-mile) journey from Christchurch to Greymouth on the west coast.
Addington was also home to a very old blending plant. It was damaged in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake and later taken down.
Addington Today
Addington is a lively area with different parts. Some areas are mainly for businesses, while others are mostly homes. There's also a big shopping center and a racecourse.
Shopping and Fun
The Tower Junction shopping center is a major spot in Addington. It opened in 2002 and was updated in 2018. It's a large complex with many shops and businesses, including popular stores like Bunnings Warehouse and Harvey Norman.
Addington is also a hub for sports and events. You can find places like Horncastle Arena and Rugby League Park (now called Orangetheory Stadium) here. The Addington Raceway is one of Christchurch's main horse-racing venues, especially for harness racing. It hosts the big annual New Zealand Trotting Cup. Addington is also close to other event spots like Hagley Park and the Canterbury Agricultural Park.
Community and History
A special place in Addington's residential area is St Mary's Anglican Church. It's a historic building surrounded by lovely grounds called Church Square. The community uses these grounds for fun events like galas, pancake races, and fairs. The church and its area are recognized as a historic site.
The Court Theatre, which was damaged in the earthquake, moved to Addington in 2011 and is now a popular place for plays and shows.
Manuka Cottage is a community house that helps many different people and local groups in Addington.
Learning in Addington
Addington has two schools for local children:
- Addington School is a primary school for students in years 1 to 6. It opened in 1881.
- Sacred Heart School is a Catholic primary school for students in years 1 to 8. It opened in 1877.
Images for kids
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Addington Cemetery
See Also
- Addington Prison
