Oxford, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oxford
Tawera (Māori)
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Minor urban area
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The main street (Inland Scenic Route) of Oxford
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Waimakariri District |
| Ward | Oxford-Ohoka Ward |
| Community | Oxford-Ohoka Community |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 11.82 km2 (4.56 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 235 m (771 ft) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 2,380 |
| • Density | 201.4/km2 (521.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) |
7430
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| Area code(s) | 03 |
Oxford (which in Māori is called Tawera) is a small town in North Canterbury, New Zealand. It is a farming community and part of the Waimakariri District. The town is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long. Oxford has even won awards for being a beautiful village and for having a very nice public toilet!
Contents
What's in a Name?
It's not totally clear if Oxford was named after the city of Oxford in England or its famous university. It's most likely named after Samuel Wilberforce. He was the Bishop of Oxford from 1845 to 1870. The town was named in 1849 by Joseph Thomas, who was the chief surveyor for the Canterbury Association.
Did you know that another town in New Zealand, Tīrau in the North Island, was also once called Oxford? This caused confusion with Oxford in Canterbury. So, the North Island town was first renamed Oxford North. Then, in 1895, it got its current name, Tīrau.
Oxford's Past
Oxford started as a logging town. Workers would cut down trees from the nearby forests. Then, animals would pull the logs all the way to Christchurch. You can see a cool painting on the side of the butcher's shop in town. It shows what life was like back then.
How People Traveled
Long ago, Oxford had a railway line called the Oxford Branch. It had two stations: East Oxford and West Oxford. This railway line closed in 1959 and was taken apart. If you travel along Oxford Road towards Rangiora, you can still see some old railway signs and parts of the railway platforms.
The railway connected Oxford to Christchurch in 1878. It made it easier for people and goods to travel. Even though the line closed, it was an important part of Oxford's history.
Main Street Makeover
In 2009, Oxford's Main Street got a big makeover! The road was repaved, and new sidewalks with garden beds were added. They also put in special crossing areas for people walking. The old welcome signs were replaced with new ones that say "Experience Oxford." This project was a team effort between the Waimakariri District Council and a local group called OPAC.
Where is Oxford?
Oxford is located at the edge of the Canterbury Plains. This is a large flat area of land. It's about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Christchurch. The town is also about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) east of Rangiora. To the west, you'll find the towns of Sheffield and Darfield.
Oxford has a mild and pleasant climate. It rarely snows in the town itself. However, the hills around Oxford usually get snow every year.
Oxford Forest Conservation Area
The Oxford Forest Conservation Area is a huge protected forest. It covers about 11,350 hectares (28,000 acres). You can find it in the foothills near Oxford. This forest is a small part of much larger forests that used to cover inland North Canterbury.
The area has many walking and mountain biking trails. It's also a place where people can go hunting for recreation. In 2024, this conservation area became New Zealand's second International Dark Sky Park. This means it's a great place to see the stars because there's very little light pollution!
People of Oxford
Oxford covers an area of about 11.82 square kilometers (4.56 square miles). In 2018, about 2,214 people lived there.
Here's a quick look at the population changes:
- In 2006, there were 1,728 people.
- In 2013, the population grew to 1,929 people.
- By 2018, it reached 2,214 people.
In 2018, there were 858 households in Oxford. There were slightly more females than males. The average age was 45.1 years old. About 20.6% of the people were under 15 years old.
Most people in Oxford are of European (Pākehā) background (95.3%). About 6.6% identify as Māori.
Community Life and Culture
The people of Oxford worked hard in 2005 and 2006 to raise money for important community projects. These included the Oxford Community Pool, a swimming pool on Burnett Street, and a first-response ambulance service. The town is proud of how its community groups, like the Lions, can fund local projects.
Community Groups
Oxford has several churches and community groups:
- Waimak Bible Chapel (Evangelical Church)
- Oxford Union Church (Presbyterian)
- Oxford Baptist Church
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Seventh Day Adventist Church
- Anglican Church
- Tawera Masonic Lodge
- Oxford Working Men’s Club
- West Oxford Hotel (a public house)
Oxford Benevolent and Improvement League
The Oxford Benevolent and Improvement League (OB&I) was started during World War I. Its goal was to help war widows. To raise money, they showed movies in the old Oxford Town Hall. Today, the OB&I still helps the people of Oxford. Movies are shown in the Town Hall about every other Saturday during the winter.
In the middle of the 20th century, the OB&I movies were very popular. They would show three or four films every week! Lines of people would often stretch around the building. This was before many people owned cars. The closest movie theater was in Christchurch, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.
In late 2011, the Oxford Town Hall had to close because of earthquake safety concerns. But good news! The Oxford Town Hall reopened on February 19, 2015.
Books About Oxford
There are a few books written about Oxford. One of the most complete is Littledene: a New Zealand rural community, published in 1938. This book is a study of a "typical New Zealand small town." Even though it uses the made-up name Littledene, all the research and details in the book are actually about Oxford.
Education
Oxford has one school called Oxford Area School. It's a state school that teaches students from Year 1 to Year 13. This means it covers all ages, from young children to teenagers. As of 2023, the school has 310 students.
Famous People From Oxford
- Joseph Pawelka (1887–?), a notable New Zealander.
- Bernard Sladden (1879–1961), a farmer, wildlife ranger, historian, and naturalist.
- Jo Seagar, a well-known chef.
