Somerfield, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Somerfield |
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Somerfield Park
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| Basic information | |
| Local authority | Christchurch |
| Electoral ward | Cashmere |
| Land area | 241 ha (0.93 sq mi)* |
| Coordinates | 43°33′43.34″S 172°37′26.26″E / 43.5620389°S 172.6239611°E |
| Population | 6830 (June 2023) |
  Somerfield, New Zealand  |
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Somerfield is a suburb located in the southern part of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is known for its quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. The suburb is mostly residential, meaning it has many homes.
Somerfield is bordered by the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River to the south and west. You can also find Somerfield School and Somerfield Park here. There are a few local shops for daily needs. The area is also famous for its many different kinds of trees, especially along the riverbanks.
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The Name of Somerfield: Where Did It Come From?
The name Somerfield has an interesting history. It comes from Edward Bishop, who was an early Mayor of Christchurch. A mayor is a leader of a city. Edward Bishop was born in a place called Somerfield House in England in 1811.
He moved to Christchurch with his family. Edward and his younger brother, Frederick Augustus Bishop, bought land south of Christchurch. This land was next to the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River. They decided to name their farm "Somerfield" after their birthplace in England. This name was later used for the whole suburb.
Who Lives in Somerfield?
Somerfield covers an area of about 2.41 square kilometers. As of June 2023, around 6830 people live here.
In 2018, the population was 6,783 people. This was a small increase from 2013. There were more females than males living in Somerfield. About 19% of the people were under 15 years old.
Most people in Somerfield are of European descent (89.6%). There are also people of Māori (8.0%), Pasifika (1.9%), and Asian (6.6%) backgrounds. About 21.7% of the people living in Somerfield were born outside New Zealand.
When it comes to beliefs, many people (54.9%) said they had no religion. About 33.6% were Christian. Other religions like Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist were also present.
Many adults in Somerfield have a university degree. About 51% of adults work full-time.
Schools in Somerfield
Somerfield has two main schools that serve the community:
Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo
This is a primary school for younger students, from Year 1 to Year 6. It has about 449 students. The school first opened its doors in 1911.
Cashmere High School, Te Iringa o Kahukura
This is a secondary school for older students, from Year 9 to Year 13. It has about 2,347 students. The school opened in 1956 as Cashmere High School. It received its Māori name, Te Iringa o Kahukura, in 1972.
Both schools welcome both boys and girls. The student numbers are from February 2024. .
