Brightwater
| Brightwater | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
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| Coordinates: 41°23′0″S 173°07′0″E / 41.383333°S 173.116667°ECoordinates: 41°23′0″S 173°07′0″E / 41.383333°S 173.116667°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Tasman Region |
| District | Tasman District |
| First Settled | 1843 |
| Named | 1855 |
| Elevation | 33 m (108 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 1,794 |
Brightwater is a town 20 kilometres southwest of Nelson in Tasman district in the South Island of New Zealand.[1] It stands on the banks of the Wairoa River. Brightwater was named by Alfred Saunders, the owner of a local Flax mill situated on the banks of the Wairoa River, after a popular song at the time "Bright Water", which was about choosing non-alcoholic drinks over spirits. The settlement was named in 1855, but the area was settled as early as 1843.
Brightwater was the birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning scientist, the "father of nuclear physics", Sir Ernest Rutherford[2] and has an eleborate Lord Rutherford Birthplace memorial on the aptly named Lord Rutherford Road.
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[edit] Population
Brightwater had a population of 1,794 at the time of the 2006 census, an increase of 369 people (25.9 percent) since the 2001 census.[3]
[edit] Education
The Town of Brightwater has one primary school, Brightwater School. This decile 9[4] school opened in 1888, and provides for children in years 1-6, and had 278 pupils, in 2010.Brightwater School is situated on the main street of the village. The school is made up of six buildings- three blocks of 3 classrooms; a block of two classrooms; a reception area and library; a Dental Clinic and Reading Recovery building; a sports/gear shed; and a boiler house. The school also includes two sports fields, two playgrounds, a hardcourt area, a large shade structure, an adventure playground, a swimming pool and dressing sheds.[5] The current principal of the school is Gerald Baldwin.
[edit] Businesses
Brightwater is mainly an agricultural town. Because of its climate of little rain, its hot October to March period, and its common frosts in winter, its main industry is wine growing.
[edit] Vineyards
There are many vineyards in and around Brightwater including;
- Brightwater Vineyards
- Seifried Winery
- Kaimira Ventures Ltd.
- Orinoco Vineyards
[edit] Artisan Crafts
Brightwater also has a small artisan industry including;
- Reco Wrought Iron
- Royce McGlashen Pottery
[edit] Sports and Recreation
Brightwater's main recreational area is the Brightwater Domain. The Domain includes the town hall, a skatepark, a playground, tennis courts and several playing fields.
Brightwater has a small number of sports teams (mainly rugby teams), the most famous of which being the Goldpine Wanderers, the Brightwater rugby team, sponsored by Goldpine, a local company which sells timber building products such as fenceposts.
[edit] References
- ^ Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4.
- ^ "Rutherford, Earnest (1871-1937)". Bateman New Zealand Encyclopedia, 6th Edition. http://0-go.galegroup.com.www.elgar.govt.nz/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX2896401959&v=2.1&u=auclib&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w.
- ^ http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/AboutAPlace/SnapShot.aspx?type=au&ParentID=1000016&tab=PopulationDwellings&id=3581822
- ^ "Ero report, Brightwater School 18/01/2010". Education Review Office. http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Brightwater-School-18-01-2010.
- ^ http://www.brightwater.school.nz/
