Brightwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brightwater
Wairoa
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Town
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Ernest Rutherford memorial
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Territorial authority | Tasman |
| First Settled | 1843 |
| Named | 1855 |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 4.67 km2 (1.80 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 33 m (108 ft) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 2,370 |
| • Density | 507.5/km2 (1,314/sq mi) |
Brightwater (called Wairoa in Māori) is a small town in New Zealand. It's about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of Nelson. You can find it in the Tasman district, on the South Island of New Zealand. The town sits right by the Wairoa River.
Brightwater was first known as Spring Grove. A man named Alfred Saunders owned a flax mill there. He was also a strong supporter of the temperance movement, which encouraged people to drink less alcohol. He renamed the town Brightwater in 1855 because the water in the Wairoa River was so clear. People started settling in the area even earlier, around 1843.
Brightwater is famous as the birthplace of Ernest Rutherford. He was a scientist who won the Nobel Prize. He is often called the "father of nuclear physics." There's a special memorial for him on Lord Rutherford Road.
Contents
Population in Brightwater
The Brightwater area covers about 4.67 square kilometers (1.8 square miles). As of June 2023, , an estimated 2,370 people live there. This means there are about 507 people per square kilometer.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 1,827 | — |
| 2013 | 1,794 | −0.26% |
| 2018 | 2,133 | +3.52% |
In 2018, Brightwater had a population of 2,133 people. This was a good increase from previous years. There were 744 homes in the town at that time.
Education in Brightwater
Brightwater School is a primary school for students from year 1 to year 6. It first opened its doors in 1888. As of February 2024. , about 229 students attend the school.
The school has many facilities for its students. These include a dental clinic, a reading recovery building, and two sports fields. There are also two playgrounds, a hard court area for games, a large shaded spot, and a swimming pool.
In the past, four other schools used to be in the area. These were Brightwater School for Girls, River Terrace School, Spring Grove School, and Waimea West School.
Businesses and Farming
Brightwater is mainly a town focused on farming. The weather here is often hot from October to March, with little rain. In winter, it can get frosty.
The main type of farming in the area is wine growing. This means many vineyards are in Brightwater.
Sports and Recreation
The main place for fun and sports in Brightwater is the Brightwater Domain. This is a big area where people can gather and play.
The Domain has the town hall, a skatepark for skateboarding, and a playground for younger kids. You can also find tennis courts and several playing fields there.
Brightwater has a few sports teams, mostly rugby teams. The most well-known rugby team from Brightwater is called the Wanderers.
Notable People from Brightwater
- Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937) – A famous physicist and Nobel Prize winner.
- Nate Wilbourne (born 2008) – An environmentalist and politician.
See also
In Spanish: Brightwater para niños
