Newtown, New Zealand facts for kids
The suburb of Newtown is a lively area located in the southern part of Wellington, New Zealand. It sits between Mount Cook and Berhampore, with Vogeltown to its west. The main roads that run through Newtown are Riddiford Street and Constable Street, connecting it to other parts of Wellington like Kilbirnie.
Quick facts for kids
Newtown
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Suburb
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Newtown Community Centre
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 Newtown
Location in New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Wellington City |
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| Area | |
| • Land | 256 ha (633 acre) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 10,130 |
| Hospitals(s) | Wellington Hospital |
  Newtown, New Zealand  |
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Contents
History of Newtown
Newtown was once known as a place where many working-class families lived. Over the years, it has changed quite a bit, becoming more popular with students, young professionals, and people from all over the world. This mix of people makes Newtown a very diverse and interesting place to live. The Wellington City Council even says that Newtown has its own "identifiable or distinct character."
Sadly, on May 16, 2023, a fire happened at a building called Loafers Lodge in Newtown. It was a very serious event.
Who Lives in Newtown?
Newtown is made up of three main areas: Newtown North, Newtown West, and Newtown South. Together, these areas cover about 2.56 square kilometers.
In 2018, about 9,180 people lived in Newtown. This was an increase of 780 people since 2013, showing that more and more people are choosing to live here. There were 3,351 households, with more females (4,866) than males (4,314).
Age Groups in Newtown
- About 1,056 people (11.5%) were under 15 years old.
- A large group, 3,420 people (37.3%), were aged 15 to 29.
- The biggest group, 3,825 people (41.7%), were aged 30 to 64.
- About 882 people (9.6%) were 65 years or older.
Different Cultures in Newtown
Newtown is a very multicultural place! Here's a look at the different groups:
Many people in Newtown were born outside of New Zealand (35.4%), which is higher than the national average (27.1%). This adds to the suburb's rich cultural mix.
Beliefs and Education
When asked about their religious beliefs, many people (52.2%) said they had no religion. Others identified as Christian (29.1%), Hindu (3.7%), Muslim (4.7%), Buddhist (1.4%), or other religions. A small number (0.5%) followed Māori religious beliefs.
Newtown also has many educated people. About 43.1% of adults (over 15 years old) had a university degree or higher.
What to See and Do in Newtown
Newtown is home to some important places and fun spots:
- Government House: This is where the Governor-General of New Zealand lives and works. It's located on Rugby Street.
- Wellington Hospital: A major hospital for the region, found on Riddiford Street.
- Wellington Zoo: A popular place to visit animals from New Zealand and around the world.
- Newtown Park: Right next to the Zoo, this park is a great place for sports. It has a 400-meter running track, a grandstand, and areas for football. The Wellington City Council has spent money to make it even better for athletes and the community.
Newtown Festival: A Big Community Party!
Every year, Newtown hosts a huge event called the Newtown Festival. It's a one-day celebration that ends with the Newtown Festival Street Fair. This fair usually happens on International Children's Day, which is often the first Sunday in March.
The Newtown Residents' Association has organized this festival for many years, and it keeps getting bigger! In 2014, an amazing 80,000 people came to enjoy the festival. It's so popular that it was even nominated for a Wellington Gold Award, recognized as "New Zealand’s largest free annual outdoor street festival." It's a fantastic way for the community to come together and celebrate.
Schools in Newtown
Newtown has several schools for different age groups:
Newtown School
Newtown School is a primary school for students in Year 1 to Year 6. It's a co-educational school, meaning both boys and girls attend. The school has a special class called Ngāti Kotahitanga, where students learn mostly in the Māori language. It also has an indoor heated swimming pool, a computer room, and separate playgrounds for younger and older students.
Other Schools in the Area
- South Wellington Intermediate: This school is for Year 7 and 8 students. It's also co-educational.
- St Anne's School: This is a Catholic primary school for students from Year 1 to Year 8. It's a state-integrated school, meaning it's part of the state system but also has a special character, in this case, Catholic.
