- Parnassus, New Zealand
Parnassus is a town located in the Canterbury region's
Hurunui District on the east coast ofNew Zealand 'sSouth Island . It is located on the north bank of theWaiau River and the 2001New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings gave its usually resident population as 900, a decline of 6.8% or 66 people since the 1996 census.State Highway 1 passes through the town on its route from Cheviot to
Kaikoura , and the Main North Linerailway fromChristchurch to Picton also runs through the town. At one stage, theWaiau Branch was intended to be the main line north and abranch line diverged from the Waiau route inWaipara to service coastal communities. This line was opened to Parnassus in 1912 and was known as the Parnassus Branch at that stage. However, the decision was made to use the Parnassus route as the main line, relegating the route from Waipara through theWeka Pass toWaiau to the status of branch line. The Main North Line was completed in 1945 and continues to serve Parnassus today.External links
* [http://www2.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/CommProfiles.nsf/FindInfobyArea/585601-au 2001 census data and community profile]
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