Belfast () is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is in the north of the city from Cathedral Square, close to the banks of the Waimakariri River.
History
Belfast is named after Belfast in Northern Ireland. It was originally known as North Road District, Seven Mile Peg, Styx, or by its Māori name Purarekanui.
James McNeight Watt (1838–1892) emigrated from Belfast and was a partner with the original meat works, around which the settlement grew. Watt, who developed much of the area, is believed to have given it its present name.
Demographics Belfast, comprising the statistical areas of Belfast West and Belfast East, covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Belfast had a population of 4,668 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 441 people (10.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 780 people (20.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,286 males, 2,370 females, and 12 people of other genders in 1,845 dwellings. 3.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 38.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 828 people (17.7%) aged under 15 years, 849 (18.2%) aged 15 to 29, 2,244 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 747 (16.0%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 81.7% European (Pākehā); 12.2% Māori; 3.3% Pasifika; 12.1% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Māori by 2.2%, Samoan by 0.8%, and other languages by 12.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 21.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 31.4% Christian, 2.3% Hindu, 0.9% Islam, 0.3% Māori religious beliefs, 1.1% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 1.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.2%, and 6.6% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 717 (18.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,127 (55.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 996 (25.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $44,300, compared with $41,500 nationally. 330 people (8.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 2,136 (55.6%) full-time, 495 (12.9%) part-time, and 102 (2.7%) unemployed.
+Individual statistical areasName Area(km2) Population Density(per km2) Dwellings Median age Medianincome Belfast West 2.60 1,908 734 738 39.3 years $44,400 Belfast East 3.96 2,760 697 1,107 37.4 years $44,100 New Zealand 38.1 years $41,500
Economy
Belfast has had a freezing works since 1883. It is now owned by Silver Fern Farms. The nearest shopping complex is at Northwood Supa Centre.
Education Pūtahi Belfast School is a contributing primary school catering for years 1 to 8. It has two campuses, a junior campus for years 1-4 and a senior campus for years 5-8. It had a roll of as of The school opened in 1878.
Sport
Belfast is home to the Belfast Rugby Club, which competes in the Christchurch rugby competition. The team's colours are green and gold. Its main sports ground is Sheldon Park. The northern end of the suburb houses light industry.
Notable people Shane Bond (Former player for New Zealand Black Caps cricket team) Bill Bush (former All-Black) Now President Belfast Rugby Club (Cobras) Craig Green (former All Black) Jamie Nutbrown Former Canterbury Crusaders halfback, also a former Super Rugby referee. Wayne Smith (All Black's assistant coach) Mabel Whitaker (1884–1976), teacher and local historian. Lewis Brown (Former New Zealand Kiwi League player) and New Zealand Warriors
References