Stokes Valley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stokes Valley
Suburb
The entrance to Stokes Valley, with the large sculpture Mating Worms by Stokes Valley resident Guy Ngan in the foreground. To the right side are houses in Holborn, which is part of Stokes Valley. In the distance are bush-clad hills at the top end of the valley.
Stokes Valley Location in New Zealand
Country	New Zealand
Local authority	Lower Hutt
Electoral ward	Northern
Established	1840–1843, settled in 1853
Area
• Land	967 ha (2,390 acre)
Population  (June 2023)
• Total	10,640

	Stokes Valley

Stokes Valley is a large suburb of Lower Hutt city in the North Island of New Zealand. It sits at the edge of the city, about seven kilometres northeast of the city centre. The suburb is located in a valley formed by a small stream called Stokes Valley Stream. This stream flows north to join the main Hutt River near the Taitā Gorge.

Stokes Valley gets its name from Robert Stokes. He was part of the original survey team in 1840. This team was tasked with planning the city of Thorndon in Wellington. Stokes Valley is unique because it's in its own valley, separate from the rest of Lower Hutt. It is surrounded by thick, forested hills.

How Stokes Valley Was Formed and Its Early Days

Some people think Stokes Valley was shaped by glaciers during the ice age, 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. However, the Hutt Valley and Wellington area have had many big land movements. So, it's also possible that major earthquakes and natural wearing away formed the valley.

Māori History in the Valley

According to old stories, Māori people arrived in the Hutt Valley around 1250 AD. Two sons of a Hawke's Bay chief settled here. They named the Hutt River Heretaunga, after their old home. Even though Māori lived in the Hutt Valley for nearly 600 years before Europeans, there is no sign of Māori living in Stokes Valley itself. The closest iwi (tribe), at Waiwhetū, say they didn't use the valley much.

Stokes Valley was located where the lands of three major Māori tribes met: the Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Toa, and Ngāti Kahungunu. Because of this, it was likely never settled by Māori. This might help explain why the land was included in the sale to early European settlers.

Modern History of Stokes Valley

The modern history of Stokes Valley, for European settlement, began on 21 September 1839. On this day, local Te Āti Awa chief Te Puni agreed to sell parts of the Hutt Valley and Wellington. He sold it to the New Zealand Company through its agent, Colonel William Wakefield. Stokes Valley, which was then just an unnamed branch of the Hutt Valley, was part of this sale.

Arrival of Surveyors and Settlers

The second ship from the New Zealand Company, the Cuba, arrived on 3 January 1840. It carried 20 young, strong men. Among them was the Company's survey team. Their job was to plan the city at Thorndon. They needed to get the land ready for settlers who had already bought land in London.

The first ship with settlers arrived just 17 days later. Many people had to live in huts built by Māori or shelter under karaka trees. The Wellington and Hutt Valley areas were quickly surveyed.

Robert Stokes and the Valley's Name

The original survey team included Captain William Mein Smith and others, including Robert Stokes. Robert Stokes was busy surveying a "valley east of the valley of the Hutt" in 1841. This was very likely the area first called Stokes Valley in a map from January 1843. Stokes left the New Zealand Company in early 1842. Stokes Street in Wellington was named after him in 1841.

Robert Stokes was important in Wellington. He wrote about the Wairau Affray in 1844. He also led the first European trip across the Rimutaka range to the Wairarapa. He was a keen gardener and botanist. He became a publisher and printer. He helped create a city council for Wellington and a railway link to the Wairarapa. Stokes was a member of the Wairarapa Council in 1867. He also served on the Victoria University of Wellington Senate. He passed away in London on 20 January 1880.

First Land Grants and Settlers

The first official land grants in Stokes Valley were given out starting 18 January 1853. Robert Henry Wood and George Hart received sections of land. Neither of them actually settled in the valley. It was common for land to be owned by people who didn't live there back then.

The first person to actually settle in Stokes Valley after these grants was Mr. Hart Udy. He immediately set up a sawmill on his land at the valley's entrance. His property was Section 65 of the original land grant.

Mr. William Judd Sr. is known as the first resident of Stokes Valley. He arrived in July 1840. The Judds first lived in Lower Hutt. After his fourth son was born, Judd got a job building a road through the Taitā Gorge. He moved his family to the entrance of Stokes Valley. He built a home there. His house was badly damaged in the earthquake of 23 February 1855. He likely lived in the valley for several years before 1852.

George Spackman was another early settler. He lived in Stokes Valley as early as 3 April 1852. He arrived with his wife in April 1840.

Mr. Hart Udy, after whom Udy Street in Petone is named, was born in Cornwall in 1808. He arrived in Petone in February 1840. He worked as a shipwright and carpenter. In 1845, his house was robbed by local Māori. In 1849, he built the first Anglican church in Lower Hutt. By 1852, he had a sawmilling business in Stokes Valley. He moved to Stokes Valley in 1853 and lived there until 1857. He continued his sawmilling business until 1865. His son, Hart Udy Jr., also lived in Stokes Valley and was involved in the family business. Hart Udy Jr. later became Mayor of Greytown. Hart Udy Sr. died in 1890 at age 82.

Life in Early Stokes Valley

For a long time, many settlers made a living by cutting down trees and producing timber. The valley had a lot of native bush, including birch, rimu, rātā, tōtara, and white pine. The bush was full of wildlife like weka, California quail, and wild pigs.

Once most of the bush was cleared, people found the valley's soil wasn't good for farming. For a while, Stokes Valley was called "Starvation Valley." This was because many early settlers found it hard to make a living in the remote valley. Their problems were made worse by floods, droughts, and snowstorms. A major flood in the 1870s damaged the lower part of Stokes Valley. It also washed away a lot of cut timber.

The first recorded marriages in the valley happened in 1865.

Notable Incidents and Tragedies

In 1900, Ignatius Singer invented and patented an improved milk churn in Stokes Valley.

There were also some sad events. On 10 December 1883, an elderly woman named Hamlin was involved in an accident with a gun. Gunpowder entered her arm, and she sadly died during an operation. Another story says this happened in 1885 and the woman was called Hamblin. It describes a young man showing off his new shotgun, which accidentally fired.

Another tragedy happened on 1 April 1897. Mrs. Annetta Hope, her baby Annetta, and her 20-year-old stepdaughter Lillian died. The horse and carriage they were in slipped down the Taitā (or Hutt) Gorge and into the Hutt River. Mrs. Hope was going to meet her husband at the Silverstream railway station. On her way back, she tried to turn the carriage around. It's thought the horse got scared, and the carriage fell into the river. Their bodies were found about an hour later. An investigation later decided the road was dangerous and needed fences.

Early 20th Century and World War II

In 1927, a toll bridge was built across the Hutt River for the valley. But a flood destroyed it in 1932. It was replaced by a footbridge, which was later found to be unsafe. Before 1940, the upper valley had many holiday baches and was a popular resort. During World War II, the United States Marine Corps set up a base near the valley's entrance.

Natural Disasters in Stokes Valley

The 1855 Wellington Earthquake

The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake was a huge event. An old story from 1899 tells about how frightening it was for early settlers in the valley. The earthquake lasted a long time. It was so strong it:

• Pulled hundreds of pine trees out by their roots.
• Split rocks apart.
• Created huge cracks in the ground.
• Caused big landslides from mountains and hills.
• Overturned houses and twisted others so doors wouldn't open.
• Even threw Māori canoeing on the Hutt River into the water.

The story says that during the worst of the earthquake, the people in Stokes Valley, who were a mix of sailors and tough characters, gathered together. Led by a Wesleyan minister, they prayed for safety.

1976 Slips and Flooding

On 20 December 1976, very heavy rain hit the Hutt Valley and Wellington. This caused hundreds of landslides and widespread flooding. Pinehaven and Stokes Valley were declared disaster zones. A petrol station at the valley's entrance was almost completely flooded. Three houses on Ngahere Street were destroyed when they slid down a hill.

Five Stokes Valley residents were rescued by helicopter. The helicopter was from a United States Coast Guard icebreaker ship, the Burton Island, which was in port. Crew members from the ship also helped dig out houses in Stokes Valley after the storm. About 100 people from the Hutt Valley who had to leave their homes were given shelter at the Epuni Boys Home.

Other Names for Stokes Valley

Stokes Valley was often called "Stokes's Valley" in old writings.

Koraunui

Stokes Valley is sometimes called Koraunui. This is a Māori name meaning "big ferns." It probably refers to the thick bush that once covered the valley. This bush still exists in some areas, especially on the hills around Stokes Valley.

In 1926–27, there was an attempt to officially change the valley's name to Koraunui. This was requested by the Stokes Valley Progressive Association. The new name was accepted, and steps were taken to change it. However, it was finally decided not to change the name, though the exact reason isn't clear.

In 2005, the original Stokes Valley School, which was over 100 years old, changed its name to Koraunui School. This happened after it joined with Kamahi School. The name Koraunui is also used for the Koraunui Marae (a Māori meeting place) in Stokes Valley. There is also the Koraunui Kindergarten, the Koraunui Sports Club, and the Koraunui Hall. The hall was a major place for community events.

Snake Gully and Stokes Vegas

Since the late 1990s, some locals have jokingly called Stokes Valley Snake Gully. The reason for this nickname isn't fully known. It might be linked to a 1940s radio show called 'Dad and Dave from Snake Gully'.

Stokes Valley is also sometimes jokingly called Stokes Vegas. This is like other New Zealand towns that are seen as mostly working-class with not much nightlife. The Stokes Valley Cosmopolitan Club even has a gambling area called "Stokes Vegas Gaming Room."

People of Stokes Valley

Stokes Valley is home to many interesting people.

Motorcycle Racers

Brothers Neville and Dave Hiscock were famous motorcycle racers who lived in Stokes Valley. Dave Hiscock was a top racer in New Zealand in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He won 40 races in a row! He also won the New Zealand Castrol Six Hour race five times.

His brother Neville Hiscock won the Australian Castrol Six Hour Race in 1981. He and Dave won the New Zealand Castrol Six Hour Race together in 1982. Sadly, Neville was killed in February 1983 while racing in South Africa. Dave stopped racing soon after. A mural in Stokes Valley honours the Hiscock brothers. It shows Neville Hiscock racing one of his bikes.

Netball Star

Irene van Dyk, the famous South African-born New Zealand Netball player, lived in Stokes Valley for at least 10 years. She is known as the player with the most international games ever. She won many titles for South Africa and then New Zealand. She played for New Zealand for 14 years. She said Stokes Valley is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Artists

Famous artist Guy Ngan lived in Stokes Valley for over 50 years. He was born to Chinese parents in 1926. Ngan created art using many different materials, including sculptures, paintings, and drawings. His sculpture Mating Worms at the entrance to Stokes Valley has become a symbol of the valley. It was put there in 1980. Another of his sculptures, Elevating Worms, is in the Scott Court shopping mall.

Darcy Nicholas, a well-known early contemporary Māori artist, also lives in Stokes Valley.

Sports Stars

Several notable sportspeople call Stokes Valley home. These include three professional football players:

• Craig Henderson, who plays in Sweden.
• New Zealand international Cole Peverley.
• Dan Keat, who played in the United States.

All three have played for New Zealand at a young age. Peverley played once for the national team, the All Whites, in 2008.

Craig Bradshaw, a New Zealand international basketball player, also grew up in Stokes Valley. He played for New Zealand in the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2006 FIBA World Championships.

Wellington Lion and Hurricane rugby player, Brad Shields, grew up in Stokes Valley.

Jack Gleeson, who coached the All Blacks rugby team in 1972 and from 1977 to 1978, owned the Stokes Valley tavern. The All Blacks even practiced at Delaney Park before a big game in June 1977.

Education in Stokes Valley

Stokes Valley has several schools for younger students:

• Tawhai School is a school for students in Year 1 to 6. It has a roll of 292 students as of February 2024.
• Koraunui School is also for students in Year 1 to 6. It has a roll of 169 students.
• Tui Glen School is a school for students in Year 1 to 8. It has a roll of 156 students.

Population and Demographics

Stokes Valley covers an area of 9.67 km² (3.73 sq mi). It has an estimated population of 10640 as of June 2023, with about 1100 people per square kilometre.

In the 2018 New Zealand census, Stokes Valley had 9,876 people. This was an increase of 345 people since the 2013 census. There were 3,318 households. The population included 4,899 males and 4,980 females. About 22% of the people were under 15 years old.

The ethnic makeup of Stokes Valley was:

• 71.3% European/Pākehā
• 23.3% Māori
• 13.4% Pasifika
• 8.7% Asian
• 2.2% other ethnicities.

Some people identify with more than one ethnicity.

About 19% of people were born overseas. This is lower than the national average of 27.1%.

When asked about religion, 48% said they had no religion. 39.6% were Christian. Smaller numbers followed Māori religious beliefs, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, or other religions.

Of those aged 15 or older, 16.2% had a university degree or higher. 18.9% had no formal qualifications. About 14.3% earned over $70,000 a year. Most people (53.9%) worked full-time. 13.3% worked part-time, and 4.8% were unemployed.