Hope, New Zealand facts for kids

Ranzau Road, Hope, Nelson

Hope, once called Ranzau, is a small town in the Tasman District of New Zealand. It is located south of Nelson city. You can find it between the towns of Richmond and Wakefield.

Hope began as a German settlement. Many families arrived on a ship called the Skjold. This ship left Hamburg, Germany, on April 21, 1844. It arrived in Nelson on September 1 of the same year. A German nobleman, Count von Rantzau, helped pay for the voyage. To show thanks, an early farmer named Carl Kelling named his farm "Ranzau". This name was used for the whole village for a while. Later, the village was renamed Hope after Jane Hope, another early settler.

The German history of Hope is still visible today. Ranzau Road is a main street in the area. It is home to Ranzau School, which opened in 1848. You can also find a Lutheran church there. This church was built in 1849, across from the newer Hope Community Church.

Today, Hope is mostly a rural area. It has many farms and orchards. You can find two primary schools here: Ranzau School and Hope School. There are also a few special shops, often found at orchards or market gardens. The town has a restaurant and bar, a convenience store, and a park. The park includes tennis courts and a recreation hall for community events.

People and Community in Hope

Hope is home to a friendly community. The area covers about 6.81 square kilometers. As of 2023, the estimated population is 920. This means there are about 124 people living in each square kilometer.

Most people in Hope are of European background. About 10% of the population identifies as Māori. A smaller number of people are from Pacific Islands, Asia, or other places. About 12% of the people living in Hope were born outside New Zealand.

When asked about their beliefs, many people in Hope said they did not have a religion. However, a good number of people are Christian. A small percentage follow Māori religious beliefs or Buddhism.

Learning in Hope

Hope has two primary schools for younger students. Both schools teach children from Year 1 to Year 6.

• Hope School: This school is located in the southern part of Hope. It is a state school, meaning it is funded by the government. As of February 2024, Hope School has a roll of 96 students.
• Ranzau School: This school is in the northern part of Hope. It is also a state primary school. As of February 2024, Ranzau School has a roll of 98 students.