| Kumara | |
|---|---|
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Kumara
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast |
| District | Westland District |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 318 |
Kumara is a town on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 30 kilometres south of Greymouth, close to the western end of State Highway 73, which leads across Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. The Taramakau River flows past to the north.[1][2]
The population was 318 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 6 from 2001.[3]
The name may come from the Māori language Kohe mara, which is the blossom of the tātarāmoa, or bush lawyer.[4]
The Coast to Coast annual multisport race starts at Kumara.[5]
Kumara was founded and become one of the country's chief gold mining centres following the discovery of gold at Dillmanstown, about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the south-east, in 1876. The tramline from Greymouth to Paroa was extended to Kumara the following year. The population was 4,220 in October 1877. The town became a borough in 1877.[4] Kumara Hospital was operating by 1881[6] and continued into the twentieth century.[7] In 1882, the Kumara volunteer fire brigade was formed.[8]
Kumara was the home town of prominent politician Richard Seddon, who was elected mayor of the town in 1877,[9] and served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1893 until his death in 1906.
In 1925, the manager of Pearns Hotel in Kumara was charged by police after she refused to supply accommodation to two visiting temperance lecturers.[10] The Pearn's Brewery became part of Westland Ales around this time.[11]
Although the town once had 50 pubs, the numbers dwindled. In June 2009, the last remaining pub, the Empire Hotel, had its licence cancelled by the Liquor Licensing Authority.[12] In 2010, the last store of the town is facing closure, with only a few hundred inhabitants left. However, it is hoped that one of the New Zealand Cycle Trails to run through the town could lift the settlements fortunes again.[13]
Kumara School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 20.[14] The school celebrated 120 years of education in the district in 1997.[15]