Spreydon facts for kids
Spreydon is a cool suburb in Christchurch, New Zealand. It's about 4 kilometers southwest of the city's main square, Cathedral Square. The main street running through Spreydon is Barrington Street. It's surrounded by other suburbs like Hoon Hay, Sydenham, and Lower Cashmere. A big road, State Highway 76, forms its northern edge. This includes part of the Christchurch Southern Motorway.
Long ago, Māori people had a small settlement here called Ōmōkihi. European settlers arrived in 1853. Spreydon became its own town (a 'borough') in 1911. It then joined the larger city of Christchurch in 1921.
Quick facts for kids Spreydon |
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Pioneer Sport and Recreation Centre, a major sports facility in Spreydon
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| Basic information | |
| Local authority | Christchurch |
| Electoral ward | Spreydon |
| Land area | 296 ha (1.14 sq mi)* |
| Coordinates | 43°34′S 172°37′E / 43.567°S 172.617°E |
| Population | 9670 (June 2023) |
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Contents
Spreydon's Past: A Look Back in Time
Early Māori Settlement in Spreydon
Before Europeans arrived, the Spreydon area was known as Wai Mōkihi. There was a small Māori settlement, or pā, called Ōmōkihi here. Much of the land was swampy, connected to the nearby Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River. There were also fields of tall tussock grass. Evidence shows that Māori people were buried in this area.
European Arrival and Growth
The first European settlers came to Spreydon in 1853. A man named Augustus Moore bought about 300 hectares of land near Lincoln Road. He named his new property Spreydon Farm. People aren't sure where the name "Spreydon" came from. Some say it was named after family land in Ireland, while others think it was from a place in Devonshire, England, that Moore knew.
Moore farmed the land and also ran a brewery and a pub called the Spreydon Arms. He sold his property in 1865 to William Sefton Moorhouse. Soon after, a Baptist church was built in the area. It was made from an old sod house on land given by a nearby farmer, Thomas Jefcoate. More people moved to Spreydon, and the church grew. It is still active today.
Becoming a Borough and Joining Christchurch
As more people moved to Spreydon, it became its own town, or 'borough', in 1911. This meant it had its own local government. By this time, the original farm land had been divided into many smaller sections, with several large roads built through the area. The borough lasted for about ten years. In 1921, Spreydon officially became part of the larger Christchurch City Council.
Who Lives in Spreydon: Population Facts
Spreydon covers an area of about 2.96 square kilometers. As of June 2023, it has an estimated population of 9670 people. This means there are about 3267 people living in each square kilometer.
In 2018, Spreydon had 9,207 residents. This was an increase of 483 people since 2013, and 708 people since 2006. There were 3,732 households. For every 100 females, there were about 96 males. About 17.6% of the people were under 15 years old.
Different Backgrounds in Spreydon
Spreydon is a diverse place! Here's a look at the different groups:
- 80.8% were European/Pākehā
- 12.3% were Māori
- 4.2% were Pasifika
- 11.3% were Asian
- 2.6% were from other ethnic backgrounds.
Some people identify with more than one ethnicity. About 22.5% of Spreydon's residents were born overseas.
Beliefs and Work in Spreydon
When asked about religion, 50.9% said they had no religion. About 35.6% were Christian. Smaller numbers followed Māori religious beliefs, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, or other religions.
Of those aged 15 and older, about 24.1% had a university degree or higher. About 17.9% did not have formal qualifications. Most adults were employed: 54.3% worked full-time, and 14.0% worked part-time. About 3.6% were unemployed.
Places to Go: Facilities in Spreydon
Spreydon has some great places for shopping and sports!
- Barrington Shopping Centre: This shopping center was updated in 2012. It has many shops, including a large supermarket, a pharmacy, The Warehouse, banks, and a post office. You can also find other unique stores here.
- Pioneer Leisure Centre: Opened in 1978, this is a popular spot for sports and fun. It's run by the city council and has swimming pools, an indoor sports stadium, and a fitness center.
Learning in Spreydon: Schools
Spreydon has several schools for different age groups and learning styles.
- Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate School: This school is for students in Years 7 and 8. It opened in 1939 and currently has 507 students.
- Te Kura o Mōkihi Spreydon School and Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School: These are primary schools for students in Years 1 to 6. Te Kura o Mōkihi Spreydon School opened in 1865 as Upper Heathcote School. Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School opened in 1926. They have 247 and 258 students respectively.
- Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahi: This is a special school for students from Year 1 all the way to Year 15. All lessons are taught completely in the Māori language. It started in 1989 and has 185 students.
All these schools are coeducational, meaning both boys and girls attend. They are also state schools, which means they are publicly funded. The student numbers are from February 2024. .
