Colville, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colville
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Colville and Colville Bay
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| District | Thames-Coromandel District |
| Ward | Coromandel-Colville ward |
| Community Board | Coromandel-Colville Community |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 44.31 km2 (17.11 sq mi) |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 159 |
| • Density | 3.588/km2 (9.294/sq mi) |
Colville, also known by its Māori name Te Umanga-wha-o-nga-waka, is a small town in the far north of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. It sits in Colville Bay on the Hauraki Gulf, about 26 kilometres north of Coromandel town. Colville is the most northern town of its size on the peninsula. From here, a rough road stretches 28 kilometres north to Port Jackson, which is near Cape Colville, the peninsula's northwestern tip. Another road goes 20 kilometres to Port Charles on the eastern side.
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What is Colville Like?
Colville is an important hub for the local area. It has a general store that is owned by the community, a cafe, and a Postal Delivery Centre. There's also a volunteer fire brigade, a school, and a community hall. Just outside the town begins the Moehau Range, a mountain range that forms most of the northern Coromandel Peninsula. This area is very important for nature, as it is home to special plants and animals, including the threatened North Island brown kiwi.
How Did Colville Get Its Name?
The town of Colville is named after Cape Colville, a nearby headland. Captain James Cook named the cape on November 18, 1769. He named it after Lord Colville, a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy whom Cook had served under years before. Colville was also once known as Cabbage Bay. People think this name came from the many cabbage trees that grew in the bay.
Growing Up in Colville
Colville township began to grow after a general store and a motor garage were built. These were constructed by Richard (Dick) Goudie, a local whose grandparents had settled in Cabbage Bay. Dick Goudie later started a taxi service from the town. He was the first person to drive a car over the new bridge at Papa Aroha, which made it easier to travel to the northern peninsula from Coromandel.
Many visitors to Colville enjoy searching for semi-precious stones like carnelian. They also look for kauri gum, which is a fossilized resin from kauri trees. Another member of the Goudie family, John, later set up a motor camp a few kilometres north of the town.
Islands Nearby
The Motukawao Islands are a group of islands located about five kilometres off the coast from Colville. They are in the Hauraki Gulf to the southwest of the town.
Who Lives in Colville?
The town of Colville is part of a statistical area that covers about 44.31 square kilometres. In 2018, the population of this area was 159 people. This was an increase of 30 people since 2013, showing the town is slowly growing. Most people in the area are of European background, but there are also people of Māori, Pacific, and Asian descent.
The larger Colville statistical area covers a much bigger region, about 543.30 square kilometres. This area includes the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula north of the Waikawau River. In 2018, this larger area had a population of 1,485 people.
Education in Colville
Colville School is a primary school for students in years 1 to 8. It first opened in 1891. As of February 2024 , the school has 37 students.
