| Wellsford | |
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Wellsford
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Auckland Region |
| District | Rodney District |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 1,671 |
Wellsford is a town in the northern North Island of New Zealand. The town is the northernmost major settlement in the Auckland Region, and is 114 kilometres northwest of Auckland City.[1].
Wellsford is located close to a narrowing of the North Auckland Peninsula caused by an arm of the Kaipara Harbour on the west coast extending inland for 20 kilometres from the body of the harbour, stretching to within 15 kilometres of the east (Pacific Ocean) coast.
Although the town's population is only 1,671 [2] it is a major regional centre, being located at the junction of State Highways 1 and 16. Its location almost exactly halfway between Auckland and the northern city of Whangarei also makes it a more notable regional centre.
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According to local tradition, the origin of the name Wellsford is believed to be an acronym based on the surnames of the first families who settled in the region. These names were as follows: Watson, Edger, Lester, Levet, Simpson, Foster, Oldfield, Ramsbottom and Dibble. [3]
An alternate view is that the name is not derived from names of families but derives from the original location of Wellsford at tidal creek before it relocated to gum ridge when the rail head meet the main road north, the original location (name) being a ford across a creek.
In the early 1860s, English settlers arrived, establishing themselves at Port Albert, on the Kaipara Coast about 10 kilometres west of Wellsford. These settlers called themselves the Albertlanders, after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort. They were a "breakaway group from the Anglican Church looking for a new world" [4] However, not many of the settlers arrived at Port Albert and the ones who did found it difficult to make a living. The majority of the Albertlanders moved inland, to more fertile areas in the region. As a result, Wellsford was founded. [5]
Rodney College is a secondary (years 9-13) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 321.[6] Wellsford School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 343.[7][8] Rodney College's Board of Trustees was dismissed in August 2008 and a ministry of education commissioner appointed.[9]
Living Way Christian School is a composite (years 1-13) school with a decile rating of 6 and a roll of 34.[10] It is a private school which provides an education based on a "God-centred, Biblical perspective".[11]
Tapora School is a full primary (Years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 6 with a roll of 45.[12] The roll is split into Three classroom's, Room 3 (Years 1-3), Room 2 (Years 4-5), Room 1 (Years 6-8) each with one teacher supervising. It is a public school located west of Wellsford.
All these schools are coeducational.
Being a rural town, sport plays a big part in Wellsford's day to day life with rugby, netball, cricket, tennis and athletics being amongst the more popular sports played. If looking for a more low key game, the Wellsford Golf Club is popular among the locals and also houses squash courts. Rollerskating, Archery and bowling, (indoors and outdoors) are also available. Equestrian is also popular in the area. [13]
Mangawhai is 27 kilometres from Wellsford [14] boasting five beaches within 15 minutes of each other and plenty of local shops teeming with local merchandise. [15]
Lake Tomarata and Lake Spectacle are found 20 kilometres northeast of Wellsford. Because of Lake Tomarata have the best vehicle access of the two lakes, it is generally the more popular of the two, although both are extremely popular with water skiers. Also, Lake Tomarata has a safe, fenced of section near the lake shore for young children to swim in. "It also offers a boat ramp, changing shed, toilet, barbecue and picnic tables." (Rodney District, 2008, para 5) [16]