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Belfast, New Zealand facts for kids

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Belfast
Suburb
Former site of the Belfast railway station
Former site of the Belfast railway station
Belfast is located in New Zealand
Belfast
Belfast
Location in New Zealand
Country New Zealand
Local authority Christchurch
Electoral ward
  • Harewood
  • Innes
Area
 • Land 596 ha (1,473 acre)
Population
 (June 2022)
 • Total 4,490
(Waimakariri River) Kainga
(The Groynes)
Belfast
Northwood Bottle Lake

Belfast (Māori: [Purarekanui] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is in the north of the city 10 km from Cathedral Square, close to the banks of the Waimakariri River.

History

Belfast is named after Belfast in Northern Ireland. It was originally known as North Road District, Seven Mile Peg, Styx, or by its Māori name Purarekanui. James McNeight Watt (1838–1892) emigrated from Belfast and was a partner with the original meat works, around which the settlement grew. Watt, who developed much of the area, is believed to have given it its present name.

Location and services

Belfast is well known for the freezing works, Northwood New World and the Northwood 'Supa Centa', which houses The Warehouse, Countdown, Smiths City and a Subway restaurant, amongst others. In 2006 the Barracutta bar which is now called Styx and Stones opened among these.

Belfast is home to the Belfast Rugby Club, which competes in the Christchurch rugby competition. The team's colours are green and gold. Its main sports ground is Sheldon Park. The northern end of the suburb houses light industry.

In recent years the Northwood subdivision was built near Belfast. This is part of Belfast, but is generally agreed to be a subdivision and an autonomous region.

Economy

Belfast has a freezing works. The nearest shopping complex is at Northwood Supa Centre.

Demographics

Belfast, comprising the statistical areas of Belfast West and Belfast East, covers 5.98 km2 (2.31 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 4490 as of June 2022, with a population density of 751 people per km2.

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
2006 3,669 —    
2013 3,900 +0.88%
2018 4,218 +1.58%

Belfast had a population of 4,218 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 318 people (8.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 549 people (15.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,632 households. There were 2,091 males and 2,124 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.98 males per female, with 759 people (18.0%) aged under 15 years, 801 (19.0%) aged 15 to 29, 1,956 (46.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 705 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.8% European/Pākehā, 11.7% Māori, 2.5% Pacific peoples, 6.4% Asian, and 2.9% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 17.0%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 54.5% had no religion, 33.4% were Christian, 1.1% were Hindu, 0.4% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 2.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 441 (12.7%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 855 (24.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,812 (52.4%) people were employed full-time, 492 (14.2%) were part-time, and 129 (3.7%) were unemployed.

Individual statistical areas
Name Population Households Median age Median income
Belfast West 1,908 729 41.2 years $35,600
Belfast East 2,310 903 37.2 years $33,400
New Zealand 37.4 years $31,800

Sport

Belfast is home to the Belfast Rugby Club, which competes in the Christchurch rugby competition. The team's colours are green and gold. Its main sports ground is Sheldon Park. The northern end of the suburb houses light industry.

Education

Belfast School is a contributing primary school catering for years 1 to 6. It had a roll of 441 as of April 2023. The school opened in 1878.

Notable people from Belfast

  • Shane Bond (Former player for New Zealand Black Caps cricket team)
  • Bill Bush (former All-Black) Now President Belfast Rugby Club (Cobras)
  • Craig Green (former All Black)
  • Jamie Nutbrown Former Canterbury Crusaders halfback, also a former Super Rugby referee.
  • Wayne Smith (All Black's assistant coach)
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