Halswell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Halswell |
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Te Hāpua, a city library and community centre in Halswell
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| Basic information | |
| Local authority | Christchurch |
| Electoral ward | Halswell |
| Land area | 1,254 ha (4.84 sq mi)* |
| Coordinates | 43°35′S 172°34′E / 43.583°S 172.567°E |
| Population | 10620 (June 2023) |
  Halswell  |
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Halswell is a lively suburb in Christchurch, New Zealand. It's located about 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Cathedral Square, which is the city centre. Halswell used to be a separate small village, but now it's a growing part of Christchurch.
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Halswell: A Growing Christchurch Suburb
Halswell is named after Edmund Halswell, who was an important government official. He arrived in New Zealand in 1841. The Māori name for the wider area is Tai Tapu, which is now the name of a village south of Halswell.
How Halswell Grew
Not long ago, Halswell felt quite separate from Christchurch. But over time, new areas were built. In the 1960s, the suburb of Oaklands started to grow north of Halswell. Then, Westlake was developed in the late 1980s.
Later, the Aidanfield area was built in the 1990s. This really connected Halswell to the main city of Christchurch. Some parts of Halswell, like "The Rocks," are on the Port Hills, which are small mountains. Most of Halswell, though, is on the flat Canterbury Plains.
Since the big earthquakes in Christchurch in 2011, Halswell has grown a lot. Many new homes and neighbourhoods have been built in all directions. Places like Longhurst and Knights Stream now have new facilities. These include a medical centre, a kindergarten, and shops.
Life in Halswell Today
Halswell has many great places for families and young people. There's a public swimming pool, a library, and a community centre. You can also find different churches and a post office with Kiwibank services.
Fun Places to Visit
One popular spot is the Halswell Quarry Park. It's a huge park, about 60.4 hectares (0.6 square kilometres) in size. The Christchurch City Council looks after it. You can walk on all-weather tracks or ride mountain bikes. There are also special areas for dogs and horses. Even though it's called Halswell Quarry Park, it's actually in the next suburb, Kennedys Bush.
Another fun place is Halswell Domain, right in the middle of Halswell. It has a playground and a skate park. There's also a pond where you can go boating. A miniature railway runs here on Sunday afternoons, which is very popular! At the edge of Halswell Domain, you'll find the Halswell War Memorial. It was opened in 1924 to remember those who served.
Nature and Green Spaces
The Nottingham Stream flows through Halswell. This stream eventually joins the Halswell River. These waterways add to the natural beauty of the area.
Schools in Halswell
Halswell has several schools for students:
- Halswell School: This school teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8. It was first built in 1864 and was rebuilt after the 2010 Christchurch earthquake.
- Oaklands School: This school also teaches Years 1 to 8. It opened in the 1960s when the Oaklands area was developed.
- Knights Stream School: This school opened more recently in 2019 and teaches Years 1 to 8.
There are also two private schools that share a campus:
- Seven Oaks School
- Seven Oaks Secondary School
These schools teach students from Year 1 all the way up to Year 13. They started in 2009 and moved to their current location in 2017. All the schools in Halswell welcome both boys and girls.
Notable People from Halswell
- Harry Ell (1862–1934): He was a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was also known for promoting the Summit Road, a scenic route.
