Johnsonville, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnsonville
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Suburb
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Johnsonville shopping area
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 Johnsonville
Location in New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Wellington City |
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| Area | |
| • Land | 373 ha (922 acre) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 11,810 |
| Postcode(s) |
6037
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| Railway station(s) | Johnsonville Railway Station |
  Johnsonville, New Zealand  |
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Johnsonville is a large suburb located in northern Wellington, New Zealand. It's about seven kilometres north of the city centre. You'll find it at the top of the Ngauranga Gorge, right on the main road to Porirua (which is State Highway 1). Locals often call it "J'ville".
Contents
Exploring Johnsonville's Past
How Johnsonville Got Started
Long ago, Johnsonville was just a Māori track connecting Wellington to Porirua. No one lived there before European settlers arrived. The area was covered in thick native forest. It had tall trees like tōtara, rimu, rātā, and hīnau.
In 1841, a man named Frank Johnson settled here. He bought a large piece of land. At first, people called the area 'Johnson's clearing'. Frank Johnson built a house by the Johnsonville stream. He also built a timber mill nearby.
He quickly cut down all the native trees in the area. The wood was sold to help build the growing town of Wellington. Frank Johnson made a lot of money and returned to England by 1858. The land was now very different. Farmers then used it to grow food for Wellington City. The Daisy Hill Farm House, built around 1860, is still standing today.
Over the 1900s, farms slowly became suburbs. The small town of Johnsonville grew steadily. It became a place where many middle-class families lived. By 1896, Johnsonville was officially a town.
The Arrival of the Railway in 1886
The railway came to Johnsonville in 1886. This was thanks to the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. The railway made it easy for people to travel to Wellington for work. The line was made electric in 1938. This meant trains became faster and ran more often.
Around 1894, stockyards were built near the Johnsonville station. These were used for cattle and sheep. Animals were brought by train from other areas. Then, they were herded through the streets to a meat processing plant. This led to Johnsonville being called "Cowtown". Residents complained about the smell and noise. So, a new stockyard was opened near Raroa station in 1958.
Johnsonville's Local Government
Johnsonville became a local board in 1874. This was a way for the community to manage itself. In 1908, the Town Board became independent. This meant it had more control over local matters.
In 1909, the board's chairman, John Rod, arranged for electric power. It was supplied by the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board. Between 1912 and 1922, the board was very busy. They installed gas lighting and drainage systems. Streets were also improved with kerbs and channels.
A water reservoir was built in 1912. It supplied water from Ohariu Valley. A new reservoir was added in 1922. The early drainage system used a septic tank. This tank was in Ngauranga Gorge. In 1953, Johnsonville joined the Wellington City Council. The council then built a main sewer for the area. Other nearby places, like Raroa, also joined Wellington.
The population of Johnsonville grew a lot. It went from 143 people in 1874 to over 3,000 by 1951. By 1976, it had reached 9,230 people.
Becoming a Wellington Suburb
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The town grew quickly from 1938 onwards. Many state houses were built. These were affordable homes for families. The first state house was built on Bould Street. Between 1938 and 1956, 329 state houses were constructed.
In the 1960s, Johnsonville got Wellington's first shopping mall. This made it a popular place for shopping.
Who Lives in Johnsonville?
Johnsonville covers about 3.73 square kilometres. It includes areas like Johnsonville West, North, Central, and South. As of 2023, its estimated population is 11810 people. This means there are about 3166 people per square kilometre.
In 2018, Johnsonville had 11,106 residents. This was an increase of 870 people since 2013. There were 3,942 households. The population included 5,394 males and 5,712 females.
About 19.9% of residents were under 15 years old. Another 19.8% were aged 15 to 29. Most people (48.2%) were aged 30 to 64. About 12.2% were 65 or older.
People from many backgrounds live in Johnsonville.
- 61.2% were European/Pākehā.
- 9.8% were Māori.
- 5.9% were Pasifika.
- 30.3% were Asian.
- 3.8% were from other ethnic groups.
Many people identify with more than one ethnicity.
About 36.7% of people were born overseas. This is higher than the national average of 27.1%.
When it comes to religion:
- 43.9% had no religion.
- 37.3% were Christian.
- 5.2% were Hindu.
- 2.1% were Muslim.
- 2.1% were Buddhist.
- 2.9% followed other religions.
A small number (0.4%) had Māori religious beliefs.
Many adults in Johnsonville are well-educated. About 38.0% had a bachelor's degree or higher. Only 9.9% had no formal qualifications. A good number of people (25.5%) earned over $70,000. This is higher than the national average of 17.2%.
Most adults were employed. About 55.0% worked full-time. Another 13.2% worked part-time. About 4.4% were unemployed.
What Can You Find in Johnsonville?
Johnsonville has a good range of shops and services. It's quite self-sufficient. You'll find a shopping mall, two supermarkets, a library, and a community hub.
Getting Around: Public Transport
Johnsonville is a busy suburb with many homes and businesses. Johnsonville Station is the last stop on the Johnsonville branch line. This train line takes passengers to central Wellington. There's also a bus stop called the Johnsonville Hub for various bus routes. Many people who live in Johnsonville travel to Wellington for work or school.
Homes in Johnsonville are spread out. They are around the main shopping area. They also extend towards Mt Kaukau in the west. And they go across the hill towards Newlands in the south-east.
Keith Spry Pool: A Great Place to Swim
The Keith Spry pool is an indoor heated pool. It's 25 metres long. It also has a diving pool, a toddler pool, a spa, and a sauna. The pool opened in June 1982. The Wellington City Council runs it.
In 2013, the pool had a big upgrade. It cost $6 million. The complex became 50 percent larger. They added a new pool for learning to swim. The roof was replaced, and changing rooms were made bigger. Since 2019, the Keith Spry Pool and Johnsonville Library are part of the Waitohi Hub.
Alex Moore Park: For Sports Lovers
Alex Moore Park is a large sports ground. It's located on Broderick Road / Moorefield Road. Many sports are played here, including football, rugby, cricket, softball, and athletics. The park has an artificial cricket surface. It also has changing rooms and a club house.
There are plans to build a $6 million sports centre at the park. This new centre will bring together different sports clubs. It will have a gym, meeting rooms, and a function area.
Johnsonville Community Centre
The Johnsonville Community Centre is a place for everyone. It's on the corner of Frankmoore Avenue and Moorefield Road. It offers many community services. These include education, a Citizens Advice Bureau, support groups, and youth groups. The Wellington City Council owns the building. It opened in 1995. Local community groups helped raise money for it.
Future Plans for Johnsonville
The Wellington City Council has a plan for Johnsonville's future. It's called the Northern Growth Management Plan. This plan aims to redevelop Johnsonville's main area. It wants to create a unique "Johnsonville culture". This area is bounded by Johnsonville Road, Broderick Road, and Moorefield Road. The plan sees Johnsonville as a very important commercial and population hub outside of Wellington's city centre.
Community Groups in Johnsonville
Johnsonville has several groups where people can connect and help each other:
- The Johnsonville Club
- Johnsonville Community Centre (next to Keith Spry pool)
- Johnsonville Lions & Rotary
- Johnsonville Community Association (Inc.)
Shopping and Economy
Johnsonville Shopping Centre
The Johnsonville Shopping Centre is a major retail hub. It has 500 parking spaces and 70 shops. This includes a Countdown supermarket. The centre is managed by Stride Investment Management Limited. It is partly owned by Stride Property Limited.
Schools in Johnsonville
Where Do Johnsonville Students Go to School?
Students in Johnsonville can attend several schools based on their address. These include Onslow College, Newlands College, St Oran's College, Raroa Normal Intermediate, and Johnsonville School.
High Schools in Johnsonville
Johnsonville is home to Onslow College. This is a co-educational high school, meaning both boys and girls attend. It has a roll of 1,073 students as of February 2024. .
Primary and Intermediate Schools
Johnsonville has one intermediate school and several primary schools:
- Raroa Normal Intermediate is a state intermediate school. It has a roll of 607 students.
- Johnsonville School is a state primary school. It has a roll of 321 students.
- St Brigids School is a state-integrated Catholic primary school. It has a roll of 293 students.
- West Park School is a state primary school. It has a roll of 295 students.
Nearby Communities
People from nearby suburbs also use Johnsonville's facilities. These suburbs include Churton Park, Grenada Village, Newlands, Khandallah, Ngaio, Raroa, and Broadmeadows. While some of these areas have their own supermarkets, Johnsonville's wide range of shops is a big draw for the whole district.
