Heathcote Valley



Heathcote Valley is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is named after Sir William Heathcote, who was secretary of the Canterbury Association.

Location
Heathcote is 8 km southeast of the city centre. It is site of the lower terminus of the Christchurch Gondola, which goes up to the top of Mount Cavendish on the Port Hills.

History
In the past Heathcote was known for its orchards, brickworks and maltworks. The distinctive towers of the Canterbury Malting Company's maltworks dominated the skyline until 2012 when it was demolished to make way for residential developments.

Demographics
Heathcote Valley covers 4.20 km2. It had an estimated population of as of  with a population density of  people per km2.

Heathcote Valley had a population of 2,229 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 111 people (5.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 57 people (2.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 873 households, comprising 1,083 males and 1,146 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 44.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 411 people (18.4%) aged under 15 years, 330 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,080 (48.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 405 (18.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.1% European/Pākehā, 6.9% Māori, 1.7% Pasifika, 2.3% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 20.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.1% had no religion, 30.1% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu, 0.5% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 459 (25.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 294 (16.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $36,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 393 people (21.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 927 (51.0%) people were employed full-time, 315 (17.3%) were part-time, and 36 (2.0%) were unemployed.

Education
Heathcote Valley School (Te Kura o Te Tihi o Kahukura) is a full primary school catering for years 1 to 8. It had a roll of The school started in a private house in 1860 and the first classroom opened in 1861.

Notable residents

 * Wally Argus – New Zealand rugby international who bought a market garden in Heathcote Valley in 1949
 * Bob Parker – former mayor of Christchurch was brought up here