Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. Arrowtown is located on the banks of the Arrow River approximately 7.5 km from State Highway 6. Arrowtown is located 19.5 kilometres to the east of Queenstown. As well as the route via State Highway 6 at Arrow Junction, there is also road access directly to Queenstown via Arthurs Point and a third route via Lake Hayes.
There are many well preserved buildings that were used by the European and Chinese immigrants who settled during the town's gold mining era.
History
In August 1862 Jack Tewa found gold in the Arrow River, and a township of 800 miners soon sprang up. It was initially named Fox's, based on William Fox's claim to have been first to find gold there, but was soon renamed Arrowtown. The area had only a dozen policemen to manage the thousands of miners in the district and lawlessness was an issue in the town until a police camp and warden's office were constructed and the town became more orderly. Several hotels existed in the town in 1863, including William Fox's Golden Age hotel. The original buildings were of a temporary nature and made from calico but as the gold and town population remained stable more permanent structures were erected.Chinese settlers, who first arrived in the 1870s in Arrowtown were forced to live in huts on the banks of Bush Creek. At the high point of the gold rush, the population of Arrowtown rose to over 7,000 and it became the centre of a larger municipality, which covered the new settlements of Macetown, Skippers Canyon and Bullendale.
Arrowtown was constituted as a borough in 1867. In 1874, the first mayor was elected. This was Samuel Goldston. A large fire burned down Campbell's bakery, the Morning Star Hotel and a significant portion of Pritchard's Store in 1896.
In 1888, the name of Arrowtown had yet to be finalised with the local post office calling the town Arrow River, while the telegraph office referring to the town as Arrowtown.
After the gold rush ended, Arrowtown provided services to the local farms.
Arrowtown was named "the most beautiful small town" in New Zealand in the 2020 Keep New Zealand Beautiful awards.
Climate
The main street of Arrowtown, Buckingham Street, sits at 410 metres above sea level. Arrowtown has been described as having four distinct seasons. The driest month of the year is February with 96mm of rain on average and the wettest month of the year is December with 144mm of rain on average. January is the warmest month of the year with an average maximum temperature of 16 and 18 degrees Celsius. July is the coolest month of the year with an average maximum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius.Population
Arrowtown covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.In 1951, the population of Arrowtown was 200 people, and this fell to 186 people in 1956 and 171 people in 1961 before increasing in size again. Despite the growth and construction, it falls under strict appearance covenants applied by the local authority that aim to preserve the appearance of the town.
Before the 2023 census, Arrowtown had a smaller boundary, covering. Using that boundary, Arrowtown had a population of 2,814 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 369 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 666 people since the 2006 census. There were 993 households, comprising 1,422 males and 1,392 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 38.3 years, with 588 people aged under 15 years, 450 aged 15 to 29, 1,443 aged 30 to 64, and 333 aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.2% European/Pākehā, 6.1% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 5.0% Asian, and 3.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 27.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 61.1% had no religion, 31.1% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 606 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 216 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $45,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 534 people earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,425 people were employed full-time, 372 were part-time, and 27 were unemployed.
Arrowtown Chinese settlement
Arrowtown is the home of the historic Chinese Settlement which includes Ah Lum's store. This is located by Bush Creek and highlights the contribution of Chinese goldminers to the region. There are a number of restored miner's houses that can be visited.Education
The first school opened in Arrowtown in 1863. The original school building was a wooden single room building. In 1875 a new school building made of stone was constructed. By 1906 there were a total of six schools in the Arrowtown area including a high school. In 1997 the present school site on Centennial Avenue was opened. The school roll numbered 187 pupils then.Arrowtown School is the only remaining school in the town. It is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of as of.
Lakes District museum
The Lakes District Museum is located in a collection of historic buildings in Arrowtown. It details the history of the local area, in particular, gold mining and the early settlers. Work in 2020 and 2021 has started on earthquake strengthening the museum buildings and restoring the former Bank of New Zealand building to its original look. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother visited the Lakes District museum in 1966. Queen Elizabeth II also visited the Lakes District museum in 1990.Government
The Borough of Arrowtown was proclaimed on 14 January 1874 and Samuel Goldston was soon elected as the first mayor of the borough.Arrowtown became part of the Queenstown-Lakes District in the local government reorganisation of 1989. Arrowtown is part of the Southland electorate.
Sport and leisure
Swimming pool
The Arrowtown Memorial Pool is run by the Queenstown-Lakes District Council. The outdoor pool is open from the end of November until the start of March each summer. The main heated pool is 29 metres long and has five lanes. There is also a smaller heated toddler pool.Golf courses
The Hills golf course
Bordering the town is Sir Michael Hill's Championship Golf Course which is home to the New Zealand Golf Open. The 2021 edition was cancelled and rescheduled to February 2022.This championship golf course is a private membership club, but does allow green fee players by appointment only. The club also provides a Day Spa that is available to the public.