Hampden, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hampden
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Rural settlement
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The beach at Hampden looking south
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| Territorial authority | Waitaki District |
| Ward | Waihemo Ward |
| Community | Waihemo Community |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 2.56 km2 (0.99 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 370 |
| • Density | 144.5/km2 (374/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time) |
| Postcode |
9410
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Hampden is a small town in North Otago, New Zealand. It is located near the coast. Hampden is about 35 kilometres south of Oamaru. It is also 80 kilometres north of the city of Dunedin. You can reach both cities using State Highway 1.
At its busiest, Hampden had about 560 people. By 2009, this number had dropped to around 230. The town was named after John Hampden, an English politician. An early surveyor, W. B. D. Mantell, chose the name. There was also a hotel called The Hampden Hotel nearby.
Contents
Exploring Hampden's Geography
Hampden sits next to a wide bay. This bay stretches from Aorere Point to Moeraki Point. The town is on a flat coastal area. This area rises up to the foothills of the Horse Range and the Kakanui Range in the west. The ground around Hampden has a layer of limestone.
Just two kilometres south of Hampden, you can find the famous Moeraki Boulders. These are large, round stones on the beach. Most of the town is located between two creeks, the Big Kuri (Kurinui) and Little Kuri Creeks.
Town Layout and Activities
The streets in Hampden are laid out in a grid pattern. They are centered around the main highway and the railway line. The streets are named after places in England. Examples include Lancaster, Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Norfolk.
If you enjoy water sports, you can go surfing at the Kātiki straight. For fishing fans, there is trout-fishing in the Waianakarua and Shag Rivers.
A Look Back at Hampden's History
Hampden was first settled in the 1860s. The first land was sold in March 1863. By 1865, there were two hotels in the area. These were The Hampden Hotel and The Clyde Hotel. A cemetery and a mechanics' institute were also set up by 1870. Early jobs in the area included harvesting flax and timber.
Hampden became a borough in 1879. A borough is a type of local government area. William Murcott was the first mayor. The borough lasted until the 1960s. Today, Hampden is part of the Waitaki District.
Hampden's Population and People
Hampden is a rural settlement. It covers an area of 2.56 km2 (0.99 sq mi). As of June 2023, , it had an estimated population of 370 people. This means there are about 145 people per square kilometre. Hampden is part of the larger Waihemo statistical area.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 297 | — |
| 2013 | 303 | +0.29% |
| 2018 | 339 | +2.27% |
In the 2018 New Zealand census, Hampden had 339 residents. This was an increase of 36 people (11.9%) since the 2013 census. It was also an increase of 42 people (14.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 156 homes in the town.
The population included 156 males and 177 females. This means there were about 0.88 males for every female. About 48 people (14.2%) were under 15 years old. 30 people (8.8%) were aged 15 to 29. 168 people (49.6%) were aged 30 to 64. And 90 people (26.5%) were 65 or older.
Most people in Hampden were European/Pākehā (86.7%). Some were Māori (15.9%). There were also Pasifika (1.8%) and Asian (2.7%) residents. People can identify with more than one ethnic group.
When asked about religion, 54.9% said they had no religion. 34.5% were Christian. A small number were Hindu (0.9%) or had other religions (1.8%). Some people chose not to answer this question.
Of those aged 15 and older, 30 people (10.3%) had a university degree or higher. 81 people (27.8%) had no formal qualifications. 18 people (6.2%) earned over $70,000 a year. This is lower than the national average of 17.2%. For employment, 111 people (38.1%) worked full-time. 48 people (16.5%) worked part-time. And 6 people (2.1%) were unemployed.
Hampden's Church
The Hampden Presbyterian church was built in 1870. By 2010, it was no longer used for regular services. This was because fewer people were attending. The church can seat almost 200 people. It was designed by the architect RA Lawson in 1869.
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Hampden Presbyterian Church (2023)
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Hampden Presbyterian Church (2023)
Life in Modern Hampden
The town of Hampden has several useful places. These include a rural fire station and a fish-and-chip shop. There is also a small supermarket, a motel, and a backpackers' hostel. A popular camping ground, a cafe, and a mechanics workshop are also available. You can find a small second-hand goods shop, a tavern, and a historic town hall.
Sheep farming is the main way people make a living in the region. Other types of animal farming also add to the local economy.
Community Spirit and Awards
The Hampden Energy Forum started in 2007. It grew into a community self-help project. Almost everyone in the town is involved. It began with a small group worried about the future of small towns. More than a third of the town's population came to the first meeting. The forum won the Trustpower Community Award in 2008.
Education in Hampden
Hampden School is a primary school. It teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8. As of February 2024. , the school has a roll of 46 students. The school first opened in 1864.
Notable People from Hampden
- Helen Stephen Cowie (doctor)
