Methven, New Zealand facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Methven
Methven town centre
Country	New Zealand
Region	Canterbury
Territorial authority	Ashburton District
Community board	Methven Community Board
Ward	Western
Electorates	Rangitata Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Area
• Total	4.77 km2 (1.84 sq mi)
Elevation	320 m (1,050 ft)
Population  (June 2023)
• Total	2,010
• Density	421.4/km2 (1,091/sq mi)
Postcode	7730
Area code	03

Methven is a friendly town in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It sits near the western edge of the Canterbury Plains, about 35 kilometers north of Ashburton. It is also 95 kilometers west of Christchurch. The town is located 320 meters above sea level.

Methven is a hub for farming in the area. It is also a popular base for skiing at the nearby Mount Hutt ski field. The town's slogan is "Amazing Space," which highlights its wide-open surroundings.

Methven's Story: A Look Back in Time

How Methven Got Its Name

In 1869, a man named Robert Patton bought a large farm. He named it Methven after his old hometown in Scotland. This name then became the name for the town and the area around it. The first land lots in the town were sold in 1878.

Early Days and Growth

In 1879, Robert Patton wanted to open a hotel called the Methven Hotel. It was built in 1880. A railway line from Rakaia to Methven was finished in 1880. The railway ended right in the middle of where Methven is today. By 1889, Methven had many shops. These included a butcher, baker, grocer, and a blacksmith.

The Methven School opened in 1882 with 41 students. Robert Patton was the head of the school committee. The school was a primary school until secondary classes started in 1925.

Farming and Innovation

Duncan Cameron was an important early farmer in the Methven area. He managed a huge farm called Springfield. He later owned it in 1890. He grew a lot of crops, especially wheat. He was also one of the first to use irrigation in the area. By 1880, he had built 40 miles of water channels on his farm. This helped grow more crops and raise more animals. His work showed others how useful irrigation could be. Cameron also helped start the frozen meat export business.

Modern Changes and Growth

The Mount Hutt Road Board office was built in 1879. Even during tough economic times, the Methven library was built in 1883. Churches were also built, with the Anglican church in 1880 and the Catholic church in 1888. By 1902, Methven had 300 people. Many local men fought in the First World War, and 69 of them died.

In the 1920s, Methven changed. Stables and blacksmiths were replaced by garages and engineering shops. These new businesses serviced cars and farm machines. Electricity also arrived around this time. The railway line to Methven closed in 1976. For its first 100 years, Methven mainly served the needs of farmers.

Methven grew a lot in 2021. Over 300 new housing sections were sold. This growth is expected to increase the town's population significantly.

How Methven is Governed

Methven is part of the Rangitata voting area. The Ashburton District Council is in charge of local government services for Methven.

Methven's People

Methven is considered a small urban area by Statistics New Zealand. It covers 4.77 square kilometers. As of June 2023, it had an estimated population of 2,010. This means there are about 421 people per square kilometer.

The population has grown over the years:

In 2018, Methven had 1,779 people. This was an increase of 60 people since 2013. There were 723 households. There were slightly more males than females. The average age was 39.9 years. About 1 in 5 people were under 15 years old.

Most people in Methven are of European background (91.6%). About 8.4% are Māori. Other groups include Pasifika (1.2%) and Asian (3.5%). About 21.4% of people were born outside New Zealand.

When asked about religion, 54.3% said they had no religion. About 36.9% were Christian.

The average income in Methven was $39,200. Most people (57.6%) worked full-time.

Methven's Climate

Methven has warm summers and cool winters. The warmest months are January and February, with average high temperatures around 22°C. July is the coldest month, with average high temperatures around 9°C.

Rainfall varies throughout the year. April usually gets about 76 mm of rain. July is the wettest month with about 103 mm. Snow falls a few days each year during the winter months of June, July, and August.

Methven: A Hub for Farmers

Statue commemorating the centennial of Methven and Districts (1879–1979)

Methven is a rural service town that supports the farms in the area. Dairy farming, sheep farming, and growing seeds are big parts of the farming industry around Methven.

The Mount Hutt Memorial Hall has a special display called the New Zealand Alpine & Agriculture Encounter. It helps visitors understand farming in the region.

Methven also hosts an annual A & P Show. This event celebrates agriculture and local products. The 2020 show was canceled due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Methven: A Ski Town

In 1971, a local club looked into making Mount Hutt a ski field. This led to the ski field opening in 1973. Mount Hutt ski field is about half an hour from Methven.

Many skiers travel from Christchurch for a day trip. But some stay the weekend in Methven. This led to new hotels, motels, restaurants, and other tourist activities. The town center was updated in 1975 with 14 new shops. By 1989, Methven had many places to stay and eat.

In winter, Methven becomes very busy. Cafes, bars, and restaurants that are quiet in summer fill up during ski season. The town's places to stay also get a lot more visitors. The New Zealand Ski Heritage Museum opened in 2000. It is in the Mount Hutt Memorial Hall. It shows ski fashion, old ski gear, and Winter Olympic items. Methven is also a base for heliskiing in the Arrowsmith mountains.

The annual Peak to Pub race starts at the top of Mount Hutt. Competitors ski down the mountain, then bike 18 km, and finally run 12 km into Methven.

Fun Things to Do in Methven

Methven Town Centre (October 2020)

Besides skiing, horse riding is very popular. Several companies offer horse treks around Methven. You can also go hot air ballooning in Methven. The Methven i-SITE Visitor Centre is at 160 Main Street.

The Methven skatepark opened in 2020. It is in the center of town. Local people worked hard to raise money for the skatepark.

Exploring Nature: Walking and Tramping

Walking and tramping in the hills and mountains around Methven is a popular activity. Here are some local walks:

Rakaia Gorge Walkway

The Rakaia Gorge Walkway is an 11-kilometer drive from Methven. The track is 10.4 kilometers long (there and back). It takes about three to four hours to complete.

Mount Hutt Forest Walks

The Mount Hutt Forest is 12.5 kilometers from Methven. You can find short walks here like the Rhododendron Walk and Te Awa Awa Walk. Longer walks include Pudding Hill Stream (8.25 kilometers, 3 hours one way) and Scotts Saddle Track (4.5 kilometers, 2 hours one way).

Mt Alford Conservation Area

The Mt Alford car park is 12.5 kilometers from Methven. The Mt Alford Track is 4.6 kilometers long. It climbs to the top of Mt Alford (1,171 m). This walk takes about three hours one way. These tracks are closed in September and October for lambing season.

Mt Somers Walk

Mt Somers is a bit further away. You can visit it for a day trip. Or you can stay two or three nights in huts along the way.

The Methven Walkway

The Methven Walkway is 11 kilometers long. It is a gentle, flat walk. Most of the walk follows the Rangitata Diversion Race.

Mountain Biking Adventures

Bike Methven has created many mountain bike trails around Methven. These include cross-country, enduro, and downhill trails. The Mount Hutt Bike Park has 30 kilometers of trails. It is only five minutes from Methven.

Attractions and Places to Visit

Methven Rodeo

The Methven Rodeo happens every October. More than 6,000 people often come to watch. Events include Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, and Team Roping.

Ōpuke Thermal Pools

The New Zealand Government helped fund a new hot pools spa complex. It was built next to the Methven Trotting Club. It has areas for families and a separate area just for adults. The water is heated by solar power. The hot pools opened in November 2021.

Famous Buildings in Methven

• Notable buildings
• 

  The Pipe Shed (October 2020)

• 

  Brown Pub, Methven, Mt Hutt in the background (October 2020)

• 

  Blue Pub, Methven,  (October 2020)

• 

  Methven War Memorial

• 

  Mount Hutt Road Board Building (October 2020)

• 

  All Saints Church, Methven (October 2020)

Pipe Shed

The Pipe Shed was used to store explosives. It was made from one of 800 pipes built in 1940 for the Rangitata Diversion Race. It is the only building in Methven with a Category I rating from Heritage New Zealand. This means it is very important historically.

The Brown Pub

The Brown Pub was first built in 1883. It burned down in 1922 and was rebuilt. It was damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It was also damaged by fire in 2019.

The Blue Pub

The Blue Pub was damaged by fire in 1918. It also suffered damage during the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010–11.

Methven War Memorial

The War Memorial was revealed in February 1930. It honors the 69 men who died in the First World War. It also remembers the 15 men lost in the Second World War.

Mount Hutt Road Board Building

The Methven Post Office (October 2020)

The Road Board Building was built in 1879. It is one of the oldest buildings in Methven. It is listed as a Category 2 historic place. Today, it is used as the Methven Toy Library.

All Saints Anglican Church

The Anglican Church at 1 Chapman Street was built in 1880.

Methven Post Office

The Methven Post Office reopened as an Irish bar and restaurant in 2015. You can still see the original bank safe and other old items inside.

The Rangitata Diversion Race

RDR near Methven, looking South

The Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) is a big canal system. It moves water from the Rangitata River to water over 100,000 hectares of farmland in mid-Canterbury. The main canal is 67 kilometers long. It runs to the west and north of Methven.

The RDR project was the first major river diversion in New Zealand. It was also the largest irrigation project in the country. Building started in 1937 and finished in 1945.

Mountain Thunder Motorcycle Races

The Mountain Thunder motorcycle street race was an annual event in Methven. It was held on Easter Saturday for eight years until 2017. Motorcyclists raced on a tight one-kilometer road circuit in the town center. They could reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. Riders came from all over New Zealand to compete. The 2017 event had a sad accident, and the organizers decided it would be the last race.

Clubs and Groups in Methven

Methven has many sports and other clubs. These include:

Sports Clubs

• Methven Rugby Football Club (started 1896)
• Methven Lawn Tennis Association (started 1896)
• Methven Outdoor Bowling Club (started 1918)
• Methven Cricket Club (started 1920)
• Methven Ladies Hockey Club (started 1920)
• Methven Golf Club (started 1924)
• Methven Trotting Club (started 1927)
• Methven Amateur Swimming Club (started 1934)
• Methven Caledonian Society Netball Club (started 1936)

Other Organizations

The Methven Masonic Lodge. established 1883. (October 2020)

• The Methven Lodge (started 1883)
• Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Association (started 1911)
• Methven Volunteer Fire Brigade (started 1928)
• Methven Country Women's Institute (started 1931)
• Methven Young Farmers Club (started 1935)

Schools in Methven

Methven has three schools:

• Methven Primary School is a state primary school for students in years 1 to 6. It has 232 students as of February 2024. .
• Mount Hutt College is a state secondary school for students in years 7 to 13. It has 561 students as of February 2024. .
• Our Lady of Snow School is a state-integrated Catholic primary school for students in years 1 to 8. It has 34 students as of February 2024. .

Famous People from Methven

• Sir Graeme Harrison (born 1948) is a business executive who was born in Methven and has returned to live there.
• John Kennedy (1926–1994) was a journalist born in Methven.
• Kathy Lynch (born 1957) is a competitive cyclist who now lives in Methven.
• Dame Lynda Topp from the Topp Twins lives in Methven.

Rajah: A Special Police Dog

Methven was home to Rajah, New Zealand's first police dog. A bronze statue of Rajah is outside the Mt Hutt Function Centre. It was unveiled on February 8, 2015.