Parnassus, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Parnassus
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Locality
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The former supermarket at Parnassus
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Hurunui District |
| Ward | East Ward |
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| Time zone | UTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time) |
Parnassus is a small place, also called a locality, in New Zealand. It's located on the east coast of the South Island, in the Canterbury region. You can find it on the north side of the Waiau River.
Contents
How Parnassus Got Its Name
Parnassus got its name from a local sheep farm. The owner of the farm was a man named Edward Lee. He was a "classical scholar," which means he studied ancient Greek and Roman history and stories. Edward Lee thought a hill near his farm looked a lot like Mount Parnassus in Greece. In old Greek myths, Mount Parnassus was believed to be the home of the god Apollo and the Muses, who were goddesses of art and science.
Traveling Through Parnassus
Parnassus is an important stop for travelers. State Highway 1, a major road, goes right through the town. This highway connects Cheviot to Kaikōura.
The Main North Line railway also passes through Parnassus. This railway connects Christchurch to Picton. For a while, there was a plan for a different railway route. But in the end, the line through Parnassus became the main one. The Main North Line was finished in 1945 and is still used today.
A Historic Earthquake
Parnassus was the center of a big natural event in 1901. This was the year of the 1901 Cheviot earthquake. The earthquake's starting point, called the "epicenter," was right here in Parnassus.
Who Lives in Parnassus?
The area around Parnassus, including Cheviot, covers about 994.57 square kilometers. In 2023, it was estimated that about 1,330 people lived here. This means there are about 1.3 people for every square kilometer.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Parnassus has changed a little over the years:
- In 2006, there were 1,272 people.
- In 2013, the population grew to 1,308 people.
- By 2018, it had increased slightly to 1,323 people.
A Closer Look at the Community
In 2018, the census counted 1,323 people living in Parnassus. There were almost equal numbers of males and females. The average age was 47 years old.
Here's a breakdown of age groups:
- About 273 people (20.6%) were under 15 years old.
- Around 153 people (11.6%) were between 15 and 29 years old.
- About 612 people (46.3%) were between 30 and 64 years old.
- Around 285 people (21.5%) were 65 years or older.
Different Backgrounds
The people in Parnassus come from various backgrounds:
- Most people (93.9%) are of European or Pākehā descent.
- About 11.8% identify as Māori.
- Smaller groups include Pasifika (1.6%), Asian (1.1%), and other ethnicities (1.8%).
- About 10.2% of the people living in Parnassus were born outside of New Zealand.
Beliefs and Work
When asked about their religious beliefs, most people (53.7%) said they had no religion. About 34.9% identified as Christian.
Many adults in Parnassus are employed. About 48% work full-time, and 21.1% work part-time.
Images for kids
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Parnassus Roadhouse
