Balfour, New Zealand facts for kids

Balfour is a small town in the Southland region of New Zealand. It is known for its farming and its history with the railway.

The town's name has two possible stories. One idea is that it was named after an employee of the Waimea Company who lived there. Another idea is that it was named after James Melville Balfour. He was a marine engineer for the New Zealand Government. He was also the uncle of the famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson.

Where is Balfour Located?

Balfour is found between the Hokonui Hills and the Mataura River. It sits on the Waimea Plains. The town is about 15 kilometers southeast of Lumsden.

It is also on New Zealand State Highway 94. This is the main road connecting Gore to Milford Sound. Milford Sound is a very popular place for tourists to visit.

Who Lives in Balfour?

Balfour is a small rural community. In 2018, about 117 people lived there. The population has slowly decreased over the years.

• In 2006, 138 people lived in Balfour.
• In 2013, the population was 126.
• By 2018, it was 117 people.

There were 48 homes in Balfour in 2018. The average age of people living there was 40.8 years old. About 15% of the people were under 15 years old.

Most people in Balfour are of European background. About 10% of the people are Māori.

Balfour's Railway History

The Waimea Plains Railway

In 1880, the Waimea Plains Railway opened. This railway connected Gore to Lumsden. It passed right through Balfour. The railway was very important for the economy of the area for many years.

The original Kingston Flyers trains used to travel through Balfour. These trains went to Gore or Dunedin from the 1890s until 1957. The Kingston Flyer is now a special tourist train in Kingston.

Why the Railway Closed

Over time, roads got better. Also, government rules for railways changed. Because of this, the railway became less profitable. In 1971, most of the line was closed down.

Balfour became the end of a short railway line from Lumsden. People hoped that shipping wheat from nearby farms would keep the line open. But not enough wheat was shipped. So, the railway in Balfour closed completely on January 15, 1978.

Today, the old Balfour station platform is part of a children's playground.

What is Balfour's Economy Like?

The main industry in Balfour is farming. Farmers in the area raise cattle, sheep, and deer. They also grow grain.

A dairy factory used to operate in the town. Dairy farming has become important again in recent years. A lime works, which started in 1910, has recently closed down.

Education in Balfour

Balfour School is a public primary school. It teaches students from year 1 to year 6. The school was first opened in 1887.

Sports and Activities

Balfour hosts a rugby sevens tournament every year. Teams from Southland and Otago usually take part in this event.

Balfour is also a popular spot for trout fishing.