Bideford, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bideford
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Wairarapa |
| Territorial authority | Masterton District |
| Electorate | Wairarapa |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Area code(s) | 06 |
Bideford is a small, quiet community located in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand's North Island. It's a rural settlement, meaning it's mostly countryside with farms and open spaces, rather than a big city.
You can find Bideford about 35 kilometres northeast of Masterton. It's also a similar distance southwest of Eketāhuna. For many years, Bideford had its own primary school. However, this school closed in 2004 as part of a larger change to schools in the Wairarapa area.
What's in a Name?
How Bideford Got Its Name
The name Bideford comes from a town called Bideford in Devon, England. It's common for places in New Zealand to be named after towns in the United Kingdom. Before 1878, this settlement was known by a different name: Upper Taueru.
Who Lived Here?
Important People from Bideford
Even though Bideford is a small place, some notable people have lived here. These individuals were involved in New Zealand's government.
- John Falloon: He was a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected by people to represent them in the country's main government building, called Parliament. John Falloon lived in Bideford at the time of his passing.
- Jack Williams: He was also a Member of Parliament. Jack Williams was a farmer in Bideford, showing that people from all kinds of backgrounds can become involved in politics.
