Granity

Granity
Granity
Coordinates:
Country New Zealand
Region West Coast
District Buller District
Population (2006)
 • Total 216

Granity is a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, located 28 kilometres north-east of Westport on State Highway 67. Karamea is 68 kilometres further north.[1][2]

Lying in lush forested countryside between the Tasman Sea to the west and steep mountains to the east, the town is the largest in this sparsely populated part of New Zealand. Long known as a coal mining town, the population has declined as the industry has waned. The population was 216 in the 2006 Census, a decline of 27 from 2001.[3] Several neighbouring towns, such as Denniston, have become virtually ghost towns.

The name Granity was given to the town by gold prospectors, in reference to the large quantity of granite in the area.[4]

Education

Granity School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 47.[5]

References

  1. ^ Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. map 62. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8. 
  2. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. map 134. ISBN 1-877333-20-4. 
  3. ^ Quickstats about Granity
  4. ^ Reed, A. W. (2002). The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0761-4. 
  5. ^ "Te Kete Ipurangi - Granity School". Ministry of Education. http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=3192. 

External links