Hedgehope, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hedgehope
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authorities of New Zealand | Southland District |
| Ward | Oreti Ward |
| Community | Oreti Community |
| Electorates |
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| Time zone | UTC+12:00 (NZST) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Hedgehope is a small community located in the central Southland region of New Zealand's South Island. It's a quiet place surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.
Contents
Discovering Hedgehope's Location
Hedgehope is nestled in the Hokonui Hills. To its west, you'll find the town of Winton. To the east is Mataura, and to the south is Mabel Bush. The closest big city is Invercargill, which is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southwest. State Highway 96 passes right through Hedgehope, connecting it to nearby areas like Springhills and Glencoe.
The Story Behind Hedgehope's Name
Hedgehope gets its name from the nearby Mount Hedgehope. A surveyor named John Turnbull Thomson gave the mountain this name. He named it after the second-highest peak in the Cheviot Hills. These hills were in his home region of Northumberland, England.
Hedgehope's Railway History
Hedgehope was once the end point of a railway line called the Hedgehope Branch. This railway was important for the town's growth.
Building the Railway Line
The railway line opened on July 17, 1899. It branched off from the main Kingston Branch railway in Winton. This new line helped connect Hedgehope to other parts of the region.
Passenger and Freight Services
For over 50 years, the railway served Hedgehope. Passengers had to travel on "mixed trains." These were slow trains that carried both people and goods. This was because there wasn't enough demand for separate passenger trains.
The End of the Railway Era
In the 1920s, more people started owning cars. This meant fewer people used the trains. So, passenger services stopped on February 9, 1931. The amount of goods carried by train also went down. In the early 1950s, a decision was made to close most of the line. On December 24, 1953, the railway line to Hedgehope closed completely. Today, you can hardly see any signs of the old railway. Only parts of its former path remain.
Understanding Hedgehope's Population
The Hedgehope area covers about 729 square kilometers (281 square miles). As of 2023, the estimated population is 1,230.
Population Changes Over Time
The population of Hedgehope has grown steadily.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 1,044 | — |
| 2013 | 1,110 | +0.88% |
| 2018 | 1,179 | +1.21% |
In 2018, the population was 1,179 people. This was an increase of 69 people since 2013. It was also an increase of 135 people since 2006.
Who Lives in Hedgehope?
In 2018, there were 414 households in Hedgehope. There were slightly more males than females. The average age was about 35.6 years old. About 26% of the people were under 15 years old.
Most people in Hedgehope are of European/Pākehā background (89.6%). There are also people of Māori (9.7%) and Asian (6.4%) backgrounds. Some people identify with more than one ethnicity. About 13.7% of the people living in Hedgehope were born outside of New Zealand.
When it comes to religion, about 49.1% of people said they had no religion. About 40.7% were Christian. A small number of people followed Māori religious beliefs, Hinduism, or other religions.
Education in Hedgehope
Hedgehope School is a primary school for students in years 1 to 8 (ages 5 to 13). The school first opened its doors in 1878. It currently has a roll of 41 students.
