Amberley, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amberley
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Holy Innocent's Anglican Church, Amberley
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Hurunui District |
| Ward | South Ward |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 3.70 km2 (1.43 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 2,380 |
| • Density | 643.2/km2 (1,666/sq mi) |
| Postcode |
7410
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| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Amberley is a friendly town located in the Hurunui District in north Canterbury, New Zealand. It sits on the east coast of the South Island. You can find it on State Highway 1, about 50 kilometres north of Christchurch. Amberley is also where the main office for the Hurunui District Council is located. The town of Waipara is 11 km north, and Leithfield is 5.7 km south.
Contents
History of Amberley
Amberley was started in 1864 by Mrs. Frederica Josephine Carter. She owned land near the Kowai River. Mrs. Carter divided her land into smaller pieces and sold them. The price was very low, making it some of the cheapest land in Canterbury. She named the town Amberley after her family farm in England.
The first people to live here included a blacksmith, a wheel maker, and a carpenter. A courthouse was built in 1870. The town grew slowly at first. But when the railway arrived in 1876, Amberley grew much faster. A town hall was finished in 1878, big enough for 400 people.
The Anglican church was built in 1877. It was damaged by a strong storm in 1889, but it was rebuilt. Another church, the Wesleyan church, was built in 1882. By 1908, Amberley had a telephone exchange and was home to over 800 people.
In the 1950s, Amberley got a new water supply, which was a big improvement. More shops were built in the 1960s, helping the town grow even more. A sewage system was started in 1973. By 1986, Amberley's population had grown to 897 people.
In 2020, there was a fire at a tyre dump nearby. This caused a lot of smoke in the area.
Amberley's People
Amberley is considered a small urban area by Statistics New Zealand. As of 2018, about 2,067 people lived in Amberley. The town has grown quite a lot over the years. In 2006, there were 1,305 people, and by 2013, it was 1,581.
Most people in Amberley are of European (Pākehā) background. There are also people of Māori, Pasifika, and Asian backgrounds living here. About 17% of the people in Amberley were born outside New Zealand.
Many people in Amberley do not have a religious belief, while others are Christian or follow other religions.
Amberley's Economy
Amberley's economy mainly helps the farms around it. These farms grow dairy products, crops, and grapes, and raise sheep. Many people who live in Amberley also travel to Christchurch for work each day.
Climate in Amberley
The warmest months in Amberley are January and February. The average high temperature then is about 23°C. July is the coldest month, with an average high temperature of 11°C. The amount of rain changes throughout the year, from about 48mm in January to 85mm in July.
Local Information
Amberley is the main town for the Hurunui District Council. Every year, usually in spring, there's a fun A&P (Agricultural and Pastoral) show.
The Amberley Domain is a great place for sports and activities. It has:
- The Amberley Swimming Pool, which is heated by the sun.
- A playground and a skate park.
- Clubs for bowls, tennis, and squash.
- Fields for rugby, soccer, and cricket.
Notable Buildings and Statues
The Church of the Most Holy Passion
This Catholic Church was built in 1866. It was moved to its current spot on State Highway 1 in the mid-1950s.
Holy Innocents Anglican Church
You can find this church on Church Street.
Cob Cottage
The Cob Cottage is in Chamberlain Park. It's owned by the Amberley Historical Society. Inside, you can see furniture and clothes from the early settlers of the area.
Amberley House
Amberley House was built between 1870 and 1876. In 1920, it became the Amberley House Girls’ Collegiate School. The house was made bigger for the school. The school closed in 1942. Today, it's sometimes used for weddings and garden tours.
Charles Upham Statue
There is a statue of Charles Upham near the council building. He was a farmer from the nearby Cheviot area. Next to his statue are three limestone carvings called The Grandmothers. These celebrate the ancient Waitaha people and were unveiled in 2003.
Notable People
- Alan Johns (1917–1997), a scientist and university leader, was born and grew up in Amberley.
- Kate Harcourt, a famous New Zealand actress.
Education
Amberley School was started in 1872. Today, Amberley School is a primary school for students from Year 1 to Year 8. It has about 209 students. The school has a special community centre named after Rewi Alley, who used to attend the school.
Amberley Beach
Amberley town is inland, but Amberley Beach is only about 4.6 km away. You can get there by taking Amberley Beach Road. At the beach, there are a few houses, a camping ground, and the Amberley Beach Reserve.
Amberley Beach is a shingle beach, not a sandy one. It's a popular spot for walking, swimming, surfing, and fishing. There's also a 20-minute walkway through native bush.
About 170 people live at Amberley Beach. The population has grown over the years, from 141 people in 2006 to 171 in 2018.
Amberley Golf Course
Amberley has an 18-hole golf course. The Amberley Golf Club started in 1922. The course was first on sheep paddocks. After World War 2, a new course was built at Amberley Beach. It started with 13 holes in 1955 and grew to 18 holes by 1959. A new clubhouse was also built then. The course has been improved over the years with better watering systems.
Images for kids
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Holy Innocent's Anglican Church, Amberley
