Allanton
Rural settlement
Map
Coordinates: 45°55′S 170°16′E / 45.917°S 170.267°E / -45.917; 170.267
CountryNew Zealand
IslandSouth Island
RegionOtago
DistrictDunedin
Community boardMosgiel-Taieri Community Board[1]
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityDunedin City Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
 • Mayor of DunedinJules Radich
 • Taieri MPIngrid Leary
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
[2]
 • Total0.79 km2 (0.31 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[3]
 • Total330
 • Density420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
9092
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Allanton (Māori: Ōwhiro) is a small town in Otago, New Zealand, located some 20 kilometres southwest of Dunedin on State Highway 1. The settlement lies at the eastern edge of the Taieri Plains close to the Taieri River at the junction of the main road to Dunedin International Airport at Momona.[4]

Established near the junction of the Taieri River and Owhiro Stream the site was first known to Europeans as "Scroggs' Creek Landing" after Samuel Scroggs, a member of Charles Kettle's survey teams. The surrounding area was (and still is) known as Owhiro. In 1875, with the arrival of the railway south from Dunedin; and satisfying criteria for a "town", the community was renamed Greytown - after former Governor Sir George Grey. Among those who took up land in the growing community were immigrant Poles,[5] from among the "Brogdenites" who had constructed the railway. Several Polish surnames survive in the local community.

In 1895 a conflict of identity was recognised between the local community and another Greytown, well established in the Wairarapa. The Taieri County Council met and agreed to again rename the community. By a unanimous decision it was given the name "Allanton" - as a gesture of respect for the late James Allan of nearby "Hopehill", a former Otago Provincial Councillor, County Councillor and East Taieri Church Elder.[6]

Allanton's community has declined in recent years, with the local school closing in 2004 and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church closing the following year.[7] The final shop to close was the 'Honey Shoppe', which closed in 2011.[citation needed]

Demographics

Allanton is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.79 km2 (0.31 sq mi),[2] and had an estimated population of 330 as of June 2023,[3] with a population density of 418 people per km2. It is part of the much larger Momona statistical area.[8]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006240—    
2013255+0.87%
2018306+3.71%
Source: [9]

Allanton had a population of 306 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 51 people (20.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 66 people (27.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 126 households, comprising 153 males and 150 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female, with 54 people (17.6%) aged under 15 years, 39 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 162 (52.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 45 (14.7%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.1% European/Pākehā, 5.9% Māori, and 1.0% Pasifika. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 62.7% had no religion, 25.5% were Christian and 1.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (13.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 54 (21.4%) people had no formal qualifications. 42 people (16.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 150 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 30 (11.9%) were part-time, and 3 (1.2%) were unemployed.[9]

Education

The Dunedin campus of OneSchool Global is at Allanton. OneSchool Global is an international private composite school.[10]

The local state primary school was merged to East Taieri School in 2004.[11]

References

  1. ^ "2016 Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board Boundary" (PDF). dunedin.govt.nz. Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  4. ^ Dowling, P. (ed.) (2004) Reed New Zealand atlas, Auckland: Reed Publishing (NZ). ISBN 0-7900-0952-8. Map 103.
  5. ^ Sawicka, T. "Poles - The first arrival," Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 13 July 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  6. ^ Reed, A. W. (1975). Place names of New Zealand. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed. ISBN 0-589-00933-8., p. 9
  7. ^ Loughrey, David "Sad moment for Allanton congregation: Church marks final day," Otago Daily Times 12 September 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  8. ^ 2018 Census place summary: Momona
  9. ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7028264 and 7028265.
  10. ^ "Dunedin". OneSchool Global. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  11. ^ Mallard, Trevor (2 August 2003). "Final decision on Taieri schools announced". New Zealand Government.
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