Fairlie, New Zealand

Fairlie is a Mackenzie District service town (or township) located in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. The estimated population was 940 as of June 2021.[2] Being on state highway 8 between Christchurch (182 km, 2 hours 20 minutes drive) and Queenstown (300 km 3.5 hours drive), tourism is fast becoming a major industry within the town. Kimbell is 8 km west of Fairlie via state highway 8. Geraldine is 45 km east via state highway 79 and Timaru is 58 km southeast of Fairlie via state highway 8. Fairlie sits at an altitude of 301 metres above sea level.[3]

Fairlie
Town
A statue of James Mckenzie and his dog, in the centre of the town
Coordinates: 44°06′S 170°50′E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authorityMackenzie District
WardOpuha Ward
Government
 • Local authorityMackenzie District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
Area
[1]
 • Total4.95 km2 (1.91 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2021)[2]
 • Total940
 • Density190/km2 (490/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Postcode
7925
Area code(s)03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu
Websitehttp://www.mackenzie.govt.nz/

From 1884 to 1968, the town was served by the Fairlie Branch railway,[4][5] though until 1934, this branch line actually terminated a kilometre beyond Fairlie in Eversley.

Fairlie is commonly known as the gateway to the Mackenzie Basin.[6] [7] The town was initially called Fairlie's Creek, a name purportedly chosen by David Hamilton, the brother-in-law of James Lister (or Lizter), who had built a boarding house near the creek. The name Hamilton had been suggested, but was rejected due to similarity to the City of Hamilton in the North Island. David Hamilton suggested the town be named Fairlie after Fairlie, Scotland, which he had visited as part of his honeymoon.[8] After 1892, the town's name was shortened to Fairlie.[9]

The Opihi River runs past Fairlie.

A large cat, "the size of a panther" was spotted close to Fairlie in 2013.[10][11] Fairlie is known for its pies produced at the Fairlie Bakehouse.[12][13]

In 2017, Westpac closed their Fairlie branch which left the town without a bank.[14] In 2021 Moreh home closed after 42 years. It became unsustainable to continue to operate and meet the required regulations. It had been operating via a loop hole and "probably should have been licensed 18 years ago".[15]

The Mackenzie Half-Marathon which first ran in July 2020 starts in Fairlie. 355 runners competed. The second edition ran in July 2021. The course, is somewhat unique, as it includes a river crossing.[16][17]

A $100,000 skateboard park was proposed for Fairlie.[18] It was finished in early 2021 and would have costed the community significantly more had not 1200 hours of work been completed by local volunteers.[19]

Mackenzie agricultural and pastoral show

Fairlie hosts the annual Mackenzie District Agricultural and Pastoral show every Easter Monday. The first show was in 1899. The 100th edition ran in 1998. The show has been cancelled three times. Firstly in 1925 because of a polio epidemic, in 1943 due to WWII and 1948 due to an infantile paralysis epidemic.[20]

Climate

Fairlie has cool winters with an average high temperature of 9 degrees Celsius and an average low temperature of 2 degrees Celsius in July. Summers are warm with an average high temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and an average low temperature of 11 degrees Celsius in February. The wettest month of the year is December with an average of 66mm of rain and the driest is September with 50mm rain on average.[21]

Demographics

Fairlie is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 4.95 km2 (1.91 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 940 as of June 2021,[2] with a population density of 190 people per km2.

Historical population for Fairlie
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006867—    
2013861−0.10%
2018885+0.55%
Source: [22]

Fairlie had a population of 885 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (2.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 18 people (2.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 378 households, with 384 occupied private dwellings and a further 93 unoccupied private dwellings. There were 435 males and 447 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female. The median age was 47.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 138 people (15.6%) aged under 15 years, 141 (15.9%) aged 15 to 29, 369 (41.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 234 (26.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 89.5% European/Pākehā, 7.8% Māori, 0.3% Pacific peoples, 5.8% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 20.3%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 45.4% had no religion, 44.4% were Christian, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 105 (14.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 189 (25.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $25,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 78 people (10.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 348 (46.6%) people were employed full-time, 123 (16.5%) were part-time, and 6 (0.8%) were unemployed.[22]

Opua statistical area

The Opua statistical area surrounds but does not include Fairlie. It covers 1,978.38 km2 (763.86 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,440 as of June 2021,[2] with a population density of 0.73 people per km2.

Historical population for Opua
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,107—    
20131,263+1.90%
20181,347+1.30%
Source: [23]

Opua had a population of 1,347 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 84 people (6.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 240 people (21.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 501 households. There were 726 males and 621 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.17 males per female. The median age was 40.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 294 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 240 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 660 (49.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 153 (11.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.5% European/Pākehā, 6.0% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 2.0% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 12.9%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 49.7% had no religion, 41.0% were Christian, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.2% were Buddhist and 0.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 165 (15.7%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 192 (18.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 171 people (16.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 633 (60.1%) people were employed full-time, 198 (18.8%) were part-time, and 12 (1.1%) were unemployed.[23]

Governance

The Mackenzie District Council provide local government services to Fairlie. The Mackenzie District Council offices are located at 53 Main Street, Fairlie.[24] Fairlie is part of the Waitaki electorate. Jacqui Dean of the National Party is the current member of parliament.[25]

Education
Fairlie War Memorial in the town centre (July 2021)

Fairlie has three schools:

  • Fairlie School is a state contributing primary (Year 1 to 6) school.[26] It has 116 students as of March 2021.[27]
  • Mackenzie College is a state Year 7 to 13 secondary school.[28] It has 190 students as of March 2021.[27]
  • Saint Joseph's School is a state-integrated Catholic full primary (Year 1 to 8) school.[29] It has 22 students as of March 2021.[27]

Ski fields

Fairlie is near the Two Thumb mountain range. There are two ski fields close located nearby. Mount Dobson Ski Field is 28 km drive from Fairlie, as is Fox Peak Ski Field.

Swimming pool

The Strathconan pool is located on School Road, Fairlie. It is open between October and March each year. The facility includes a 25 metre heated indoor swimming pool.[30] Management of the pool was transferred from the Mackenzie District Council to Belgravia Leisure for the 2020-2021 season.[31]

Ice skating

The Fairlie Ice Rink is located between the Fairlie Domain and the Fairlie Campground. The ice rink is based on a man made pond and is reliant on cold weather which determines the length of the ice skating season. The location of the ice rink is two degrees Celsius colder than the town. The ice rink has been operating since the 1930s.[32][33]

Fairlie heritage museum
Fairlie Heritage Museum (July 2021)

The Fairlie heritage museum contains a collection of farm machinery, as well as many buildings including the old railway station.[34][35] The Fairlie Heritage Museum has one of the biggest vintage wagon and carriage collections in the country.[7]

Notable buildings

The Gladstone Grand Hotel is a category two listed building built in 1884.[36]

The Mount Cook Line building (which were formerly stables dating from 1906). This category two building was listed in 1984.[37]

There are two church buildings, St Columba on Main Street and St Stephen's on Kirke Street. They are part of Mackenzie Cooperating Parish, an ecumenical parish.[38][39]

  • Gladstone Grand Hotel (July 2021)
  • Mt Cook Line Building, next to the Gladstone Grand Hotel (July 2021)
  • St Columba Church on Main Street (November 2011)

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  2. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  3. "Worldwide Elevation Finder". elevation.maplogs.com. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  4. "Opening of the Railway to Fairlie Creek", Timaru Herald (31 January 1884): 3.
  5. "Branch line closures a sign of the times but infuriating for locals". Kiwirail. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  6. "Fairlie". Discover New Zealand: A Wises Guide (9th ed.). 1994. p. 376.
  7. "Things to see and do in Fairlie, New Zealand". www.newzealand.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  8. "Fairlie". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  9. "Fairlie | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  10. "Shock as driver sees 'panther' near Fairlie". Stuff. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  11. "new-south-island-big-cat-sightings-the-latest-in-a-50year-mystery". Stuff. 13 September 2020.
  12. "Fairlie Bakehouse as easy as pie for Franz Lieber". Stuff. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  13. "Our state pieways: New Zealand's best small town bakeries to stop at". Stuff. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  14. "Bank closure irritates busy Fairlie business owners". Stuff. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  15. "Fairlie's Moreh Home set to close". Stuff. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  16. "Home". Mackhalfmarathon. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  17. "Mackenzie half marathon to spur runners of all abilities". Stuff. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  18. "Fairlie skatepark is about to happen". Stuff. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  19. "Work on Fairlie's new $100,000 skate park gaining momentum". Stuff. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  20. "History". Mackenzie A&P Show. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  21. "Climate Fairlie". meteoblue. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  22. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Fairlie (342000). 2018 Census place summary: Fairlie
  23. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Opua (Mackenzie District) (341900). 2018 Census place summary: Opua (Mackenzie District)
  24. Council, Mackenzie District (20 May 2021). "Contact Us". www.mackenzie.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  25. "Waitaki: Electoral Profile - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  26. Education Counts: Fairlie School
  27. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  28. Education Counts: Mackenzie College
  29. Education Counts: Saint Joseph's School
  30. Council, Mackenzie District (10 June 2021). "Strathconan Swimming Pool - Fairlie". www.mackenzie.govt.nz. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  31. "Mackenzie District Council hands pool management over to Aussies". Stuff. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  32. "Volunteers keep Fairlie community treasure open". Stuff. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  33. "new-zealand-ice-rinks". 1964 mountain culture / aotearoa. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  34. "Contact". fairlieheritagemuseum.co.nz. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  35. "Fairlie Heritage Museum". Mackenzie Region. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  36. "Search the List | Gladstone Grand Hotel 1884 | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  37. "Search the List | Mt Cook Line Building (Former Stables) 1906 | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  38. "Mackenzie Community Church". Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  39. "Mackenzie Co-operating Parish". www.presbyterian.org.nz. Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 14 October 2021.

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