Wakefield, New Zealand
Wakefield | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Edward St, the main street of Wakefield | |
| Coordinates: 41°24′S 173°03′E / 41.400°S 173.050°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Territorial authority | Tasman |
| Ward | Moutere-Waimea Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Tasman District Council |
| • Mayor of Tasman | Tim King |
| • West Coast-Tasman MP | Maureen Pugh |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 9.92 km2 (3.83 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024) | |
• Total | 2,680 |
| • Density | 270/km2 (700/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Area code | 03 |
Wakefield (Māori: Tiraweke or Wekipira) is a settlement in the Tasman District of New Zealand's South Island, located about 25km south west of Nelson.
The settlement began in 1843 as Pitfure, but the name was changed to Wakefield a short time later. It may have been named after the birthplace of one of its original settlers, who was from Wakefield in Yorkshire. It may have also been named after Captain Arthur Wakefield, who led the expedition that first established Nelson City and Province. Arthur Wakefield was killed in the Wairau Affray, which may have helped confirm the change of name from Pitfure to Wakefield.
Wakefield comes under the responsibility of the Tasman District Council, which has its offices in the nearby town of Richmond. It is part of the West Coast-Tasman general electorate.
St John's Church in 120 Edward Street, built in 1846, is New Zealand's second oldest surviving church. It is registered by Heritage New Zealand as a Category I heritage structure, with registration number 40. The church was designed by Marianne Reay and is considered the first European building designed by a woman in New Zealand.