Helensville, New Zealand

Infobox Settlement
name = Helensville
population_total = 2532
population_as_of = 2006
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= Auckland Region
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2= Rodney District
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = top
latd = 36
latm = 40
lats = 47
latNS = S
longd = 174
longm = 26
longs = 58
longEW = E

Helensville is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. It is sited 40 kilometres northwest of Auckland, close to the southern extremity of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 16 passes through the town, connecting it to Waimauku 16 km to the south, and Kaukapakapa about 12 km to the north-east. Parakai is 2 km to the north-west. The Kaipara River runs through the town and into the Kaipara Harbour to the north. [cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 11] [cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|id=ISBN 1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 34]

The population was 2532 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 318 from 2001. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/auckland-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Rodney District|publisher=Statistics New Zealand]

Helensville is also the name of an electorate seat in the Parliament of New Zealand. The current member for Helensville is John Key for National.

Early history

The area around Helensville was originally called "Te Awaroa", meaning "The long path" or "The long river valley". The first European settlers in the district were Scottish timber millers named McLeod but who had actually come from Nova Scotia to New Zealand. John McLeod built a house which he named "Helen's Villa" in honour of his wife, and the name soon became that of the surrounding settlement.

Initial development of the town was around the kauri milling industry, but by the start of the 20th century dairying was becoming of increasing importance. It was also becoming somewhat of a tourist centre, owing to the presence of hot springs 3 km to the west of the town at Parakai.

A lot of the early history of Helensville is described in the book "Men Came Voyaging" written by Colleen Sheffield who tragically lost her life in a bus accident before the book was completed.

Economy

Although it is no longer a forestry or dairy centre, the town is still a tourist attraction, largely because of its many historic buildings, the Hot Springs at Parakai and the Parakai Aerodrome, and its proximity to Auckland. It has also seen positive effects from the nearby wine producing region around Kumeu, 20 km to the south. There are also an increasing number of lifestyle blocks in the area.

Education

Kaipara College is a secondary (years 9-15) school with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of 650. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=26|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Kaipara College|publisher=Ministry of Education] The school began as Helensville District High School in 1924, and changed its name to Kaipara College in 1959. [cite web|url=http://www.isscc.com/detail.php?schoolid=447|title=Kaipara College - ISSCC|publisher=International Student Services Center Corporation|accessdate=2008-08-23]

Helensville Primary School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 336. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1306|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Helensville School|publisher=Ministry of Education] It was founded in 1877. [cite web|url=http://www.helensville.school.nz/|title=Helensville Primary School|publisher=Helensville Primary School|accessdate=2008-08-23]

Tau Te Arohanoa Akoranga is a composite (years 1-12) school with a decile rating of 7 and a roll of 44. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=475|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Tau Te Arohanoa Akoranga|publisher=Ministry of Education] It is a private school offering a Christian-based education, operating from the Helensville Rugby Clubrooms. [cite web|url=http://www.ero.govt.nz/ERO eppub.nsf/Institution/0ADF18AE3C910A6CCC2570AA007FA983/$File/475.htm|title=Education Review Report - Tau Te Arohanoa Akoranga|publisher=Education Review Office|date=September 2005|accessdate=2008-08-23]

All these schools are coeducational.

Helensville also had a Community Education scheme in association with Kaipara College called the Rodney Community Learning Centre serving early school leavers and mature students. This consisted of two small TEC funded sites, one in Helensville and another one in Wellsford. This however closed down at the end of 2005.

Transport

Rail

Helensville is on the North Auckland Line and is the next major station north of Waitakere. The station still features the original wooden building, which has been restored, and has a shunting yard and ONTRACK depot. In June 2007 it was announced suburban rail services are to be extended to Helensville in 2008cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Passenger rail to return to Helensville |url=http://www.helensville.co.nz/general/news.htm#rail |work= |publisher=Helensville Online |date=2007-07-21 |accessdate=2007-11-30 ] . Services to the town resumed on 14 July, 2008 after an absence of 28 years.cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=New commuter train services |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10521371&ref=rss
work= |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=2008-07-14 |accessdate=2008-07-14 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.helensville.co.nz Helensville Online]
* [http://www.kaiparacollege.school.nz Kaipara College website]
* [http://www.helensville.school.nz/ Helensville School website]
* [http://www.helensvillemuseum.org.nz Helensville & District Historical Society]
* [http://www.parakai.com Parakai website]