Avalon, New Zealand facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Avalon
Avalon Studios
Basic information
Local authority	Lower Hutt City
Electoral ward	Central
Land area	202 ha (0.78 sq mi)*
Population	5390 (June 2022)
Surrounds
Northeast	Taitā
East	Wingate
Southeast	Naenae
South	Epuni
Southwest	Boulcott
West	Belmont

Avalon is a suburb of Lower Hutt in New Zealand, formed as a private residential development in the 1970s on land formerly occupied by market-gardens on the left (eastern) bank of the Hutt River. It features mostly California-inspired designed houses, often split-level, with 3 or 4 bedrooms. It also features one of the biggest park/playground in Lower Hutt

The Hutt City Council formally defines Avalon as the area bounded by Percy Cameroon Street and the Windgate Overbridge in the north, the Hutt Valley rail line in the east, Fairway Drive and Daysh Street in the south, and the Hutt River in the west.

Avalon Studios

Avalon came to the attention of most New Zealanders as the early centre of the country's nationwide television broadcasting production, particularly with the opening of the purpose-built Avalon Studios in 1975. Given that New Zealand started regular public television-broadcasting for the first time in 1960, and instituted networked television in 1973 with only a single (and State-owned) channel available to viewers, the sole provider of television-broadcasting acquired a monopoly position of immense influence within the New Zealand mass media, and the name "Avalon" summarised and expressed that clout for many years.

Avalon also became the focus of New Zealand film-production (through and building on the National Film Unit), which Peter Jackson bought in the late 1990s and incorporated into his Park Road Post facility. Avalon was the filming location for the 2002 television show 100 Hours.

Television New Zealand inherited the Avalon real-estate and maintains some functions from Avalon, even though its corporate centre now operates in Auckland. Avalon has continued to produce television-shows such as Good Morning and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission's live Lotto draw.

However, in 2011 TVNZ announced that it would be selling off the site for good by 2013, and shifting its remaining shows to Auckland, thus consolidating the broadcaster's Auckland focus. According to Wellington-based TV personalities, the northward drift began in 1980 with the formation of TVNZ, and the subsequent relocation of the TV One newsroom and headquarters to Auckland under then Prime Minister Rob Muldoon.

In April 2012, Avalon Studios was sold to a consortium, Avalon Holdings, which is to officially take possession in early 2013.

Demographics

Avalon, comprising the statistical areas of Avalon West and Avalon East, covers 2.02 km² (0.78 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 5390 as of June 2022, with a population density of 2668 people per km².

The Smiling Windmills are kinetic sculptures in Avalon Park

Avalon had a population of 5,094 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 291 people (6.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 432 people (9.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,974 households. There were 2,418 males and 2,676 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.9 males per female, with 900 people (17.7%) aged under 15 years, 897 (17.6%) aged 15 to 29, 2,127 (41.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,167 (22.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 57.8% European/Pākehā, 14.3% Māori, 12.9% Pacific peoples, 24.4% Asian, and 4.2% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 31.9%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 37.5% had no religion, 42.5% were Christian, 7.5% were Hindu, 2.7% were Muslim, 1.8% were Buddhist and 3.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 885 (21.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 843 (20.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,842 (43.9%) people were employed full-time, 528 (12.6%) were part-time, and 237 (5.7%) were unemployed.

Education

Avalon has five schools.

• Avalon Intermediate School is a state intermediate (Year 7–8) school, and has 250 students as of April 2023.
• Avalon School is a state contributing primary (Year 1–6) school, and has 198 students as of April 2023.
• Kimi Ora School is a state special school for students with physical disabilities, and has 90 students as of April 2023.
• Naenae College is a state secondary (Year 9–13) school, and has 836 students as of April 2023. The school opened in 1953.
• Naenae Intermediate School is a state intermediate (Year 7–8) school, and has 308 students as of April 2023.