Darfield, New Zealand

History

Darfield was first known as White Cliffs Junction, but was then renamed in 1879 to Horndon Junction. This name was changed again to avoid confusion with Hornby [railway] Junction (close by in Christchurch).

Darfield acquired its name from John Jebson, who named it after the village in Yorkshire, England. The name refers to a field frequented by deer.

A stone mill for grinding flour was built in 1887. It was powered by the Selwyn County Council's water race.

2000s–present

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred near Darfield at 4:35 am on 4 September 2010, causing widespread damage to both the town and to surrounding areas, including the city of Christchurch.

Fonterra invested $500 million in a milk processing plant, which was opened in 2013 in Darfield. This includes the world's largest dryer, which is used in the process to make instant whole milk powder.

Climate

Located on the Canterbury Plains at an altitude of 193 m above sea level, the Köppen-Geiger climate classification for Darfield is Cfb (Oceanic). On several days a year, Darfield is subject to the nor'west Foehn wind, which is very dry and has the capability to raise the temperature by several degrees per hour. On the contrary, the town is also susceptible to cold blasts from the Southern Ocean, especially during winter, when a southerly wind blows. The average annual temperature in Darfield is 11.9 °C. The highest recorded temperature is 40.7 °C, set on 7 February 1973, while the lowest recorded temperature is -11.8 °C, set on 7 June 2012. The highest minimum temperature is 25.7 °C, set on 6 February 2011, while the lowest maximum temperature is 0.6 °C, set on 12 July 2017. On average every year Darfield can expect to see 45 days exceeding 25 °C and 8 days exceeding 30 °C while seeing on average 34 nights that drop below 0 °C.{{cite web|url = https://niwa.co.nz/sites/default/files/Canterbury%20climate%20FINAL%20WEB_0.pdf|title = CLIMATE AND WEATHER OF CANTERBURY|publisher = NIWA|access-date = 14 Sep 2024}}

| Jan record high C = 38.4 | Feb record high C = 40.7 | Mar record high C = 37.6 | Apr record high C = 28.9 | May record high C = 27.2 | Jun record high C = 22.3 | Jul record high C = 21.0 | Aug record high C = 23.3 | Sep record high C = 27.8 | Oct record high C = 30.0 | Nov record high C = 32.1 | Dec record high C = 36.5 | year record high C = 40.7 |Jan record low C = 0.6 |Feb record low C = -0.4 |Mar record low C = -1.0 |Apr record low C = -2.6 |May record low C = -5.3 |Jun record low C = -11.8 |Jul record low C = -9.0 |Aug record low C = -6.1 |Sep record low C = -4.8 |Oct record low C = -3.5 |Nov record low C = -2.6 |Dec record low C = 0.1 |year record low C = -11.8 |access-date = 19 May 2024}}{{cite web |access-date = 13 June 2024}}

Demographics

Darfield is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area, and covers 17.58 km2. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Before the 2023 census, the town had a smaller boundary, covering 15.14 km2. Using that boundary, Darfield had a population of 2,724 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 327 people (13.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 750 people (38.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,053 households, comprising 1,338 males and 1,389 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 43.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 507 people (18.6%) aged under 15 years, 435 (16.0%) aged 15 to 29, 1,218 (44.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 564 (20.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.6% European/Pākehā, 6.6% Māori, 1.4% Pasifika, 2.0% Asian, and 3.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 16.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.5% had no religion, 38.3% were Christian, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 348 (15.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 462 (20.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 450 people (20.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,146 (51.7%) people were employed full-time, 324 (14.6%) were part-time, and 39 (1.8%) were unemployed.

The population of Darfield was 830 people in 1971.

Education

Darfield has numerous kindergartens. The original Darfield school was opened in 1883 with a total of 18 students attending. By 1902 the school had two teachers and ninety-three students children on the school roll.

Darfield Primary School is Darfield's sole primary school, catering for years 1 to 6. It has students.

Darfield High School is Darfield's sole intermediate/high school, catering for years 7 to 13. It has students. The school was established in 1951 as a secondary school, and expanded to cover intermediate students in 1978.

Both schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of

Industry

Many industries are present in Darfield, including brick-making, seed cleaning, and a Fonterra factory, which processes milk powder. The factory has a series of railway sidings and a container loading centre.

Services

Darfield has a shopping precinct along the main street, including a Four Square supermarket. The town also has many churches, most notably St Joseph's Catholic Church and Trinity Church (Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian). Darfield has two rest homes.

Darfield is also has police, fire and ambulance stations, as well as a medical centre and a hospital.

Selwyn is not connected to a district wide sewage scheme. This necessitates all homes to have their own septic tanks.

Recreation

Darfield has a domain, which includes duck ponds and the community centre. Football and rugby fields, tennis courts and a Scouts building are also located in the domain.

Westview Park is located in between the Midland railway line and State Highway 73 and to the west of Four Square Darfield. It boasts attractions such as the Whitecliffs Branch historical site and a skatepark.

McHughs Forest Park is located northwest of Darfield. It was planted in 1893 to provide timber for mid Canterbury. It contains a mix of Douglas Fir, Pinus Radiata, Macrocarpa, Larch, Spruce and other exotic species. There are a series of walking tracks within the forest.

Transport

Bus

Darfield is serviced with the 86 bus route, a morning and evening express route that connects the town with Central Christchurch, via Kirwee, West Melton and Yaldhurst.

Rail

Darfield is served by the Midland railway line. The TranzAlpine train stops twice daily (request only); en route to the West Coast and on its return trip back to Christchurch.

The 24 mi of railway from Rolleston Junction to Malvern (Sheffield) opened without ceremony on 1 December 1874, with a train to Christchurch each morning and a return each evening. The line was known as the Malvern Branch and the station's name was changed from White Cliffs Junction (junction for the Whitecliffs Branch, which opened on 3 November 1875) to Horndon Junction on 1 August 1876 and to Darfield Junction on 1 October 1879. By 1882 it had 3 rooms, a platform, cart approach, 40 ft x 40 ft goods shed, a water tank, coalyard, stationmaster's house, urinals, a passing loop for 30 wagons (39 by 1886) and platelayers' cottages. Cattle yards were added in 1883 and sheep yards and a weighbridge by 1886. At 2.30am on 28 September 1887 the station burnt down and was replaced the next month by station buildings from Aylesbury. In 1909 improvements were made and in September 1915 lighting was added. A 1920s postcard showed six staff,but, on 14 February 1925, the Post Office was moved from the station. In 1944 the old weighbridge building was moved to Queen Street, Westport, as a shelter. The Whitecliffs Branch closed on 31 March 1962 and between 1988 and March 1990 Darfield's station building and goods shed were removed.**

Road

Darfield is served by (Great Alpine Highway), connecting Christchurch with the West Coast region and , connecting Darfield with Ashburton via Methven, the Rakaia Gorge and Glentunnel.

Notable people

• Sir Allan Wright (29 March 1929), President of Federated Farmers and first chancellor of Lincoln University.
• Geoff Wright (29 March 1929), New Zealand cricketer
• John Wright (5 July 1954), New Zealand cricketer and former coach of the Indian national cricket team
• Henry Shipley (10 May 10 1996), New Zealand cricketer
• Brian Connell (23 April 1956), politician
• Mary Clinton (8 May 1960), New Zealand field hockey player
• James Te Huna (29 September 1981), first New Zealander to enter the UFC, 2010 (Ultimate Fighting Championships)

Gallery

Darfield Roman Catholic Church 004.JPG|St Joseph's Catholic Church, October 2013 Darfield Anglican Church 002.JPG|Trinity Church, October 2013 Darfield Express Yourself Cafe.JPG|Cafe in central Darfield, October 2013 Darfield Jail 003.JPG|Historic jail dating 1915, October 2013 Darfield War Memorial 002.JPG|Darfield War Memorial, located next to Trinity Church, October 2013

References

References

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7. (4 September 2010). ""Extremely violent" 7.4 quake hits Christchurch". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
8. (2014-11-14). "Fonterra sinking millions into South Island".
9. (2015-08-08). "Small town life: Does Darfield need a gimmick to put itself on the map?".
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12. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Darfield district".
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14. {{TKI. 3326. Darfield School
15. {{TKI. 346. Darfield High School
16. "About Darfield High School". Darfield High School.
17. (20 April 2013). "KiwiRail opens South Island Freight Link". International Railway Journal.
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20. (2 December 1874). "Malvern railway. Star (Christchurch)".
21. (3 November 1875). "Lyttelton Times".
22. (29 July 1876). "Local and general. Star (Christchurch)".
23. (25 September 1879). "Press".
24. "Whitecliffs Branch & Darfield Station".
25. Scoble, Juliet. "Station Archive".
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27. Egan, Brendon. (2022-12-19). "'Genuine allrounders are like gold dust: Newest Black Cap Henry Shipley could fill a key need".