Redwood is a northern suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, which includes the sub-division of Redwood Springs. It is bordered by the Styx River to the north. Before the area was settled the original forest cover was tōtara and kahikatea. Like much of Christchurch, the early settlers drained the swamps and cut the bush to create farmland.
The area was originally part of the Waimairi County but was amalgamated into Christchurch City Council as part of the 1989 New Zealand local government reforms. The Main North Road runs through the suburb, connecting it to both the Christchurch Central City and settlements further north including Belfast and Kaiapoi. Redwood is part of the Christchurch Central parliamentary electorate.
Before the area was settled the original forest cover was Tōtara[6][7] and Kahikatea. Like much of Christchurch, the early settlers drained the swamps and cut the bush to create useful farmland.[8]
By the late 1950s many of the rural sections were being subdivided into residential houses. The row of shops near Prestons Road began opening in 1957.[9]
The suburb is named after a protected Redwood tree on Prestons Road
The suburb was first named Styx but renamed following a popular vote of local residents in the 1960s.[10] Voters were asked to choose between Caselwood, Clearview, Northpark, Redpark and Redwood.[11] The name comes from a large protected redwood tree still standing on Prestons Road.[12][13] The tree was planted in the late 19th century by Thomas Preston, who was an early settler in the area and after whom Prestons Road is named.[13][14]
The site of Redwood Park was purchased in 1960 to be used for a secondary school.[15] By 1963 the plan for a high school had been abandoned. The land was made the Sturrocks Road Reserve, and was being prepared for a sports ground and kindergarten.[16] By 1964 the plans had been extended to include a community centre.[17] By the end of the year the sports field had been levelled and sown with grass. A bonfire was lit on Guy Fawkes Night to raise money for the project.[18] In 1965 the industrial park on the corner of Sturrocks and Cavendish roads was established.[19] In 1967 the reserve was renamed to Redwood Park.[20]
The Redwood Public Library opened on 9 November 1968.[21] The octagonal[21] building was designed by Waimairi County Council architect Len Wooding.[22] The library building also contains a child care centre.[23] A public toilet and plunket rooms were also built in front of the library.[22] The plunket rooms are now used by a community group.[24]
The suburb underwent a rapid expansion beginning in the 1970s.[25][26] The Redwood scout hall was constructed between 1978 and 1980.[27] In 1986 a refuse transfer station was opened[28] on the northern side of Styx Mill Road.[29] The refuse station was the subject of some community pushback.[30][31][32]
The suburb saw further growth in the 2000s, with the Regent's Park subdivision in the north-west, and the Redwood Springs subdivision in the north-east.[34]
Redwood has its own community radio station called Classic Gold Radio Redwood 107.5FM.[35]
Demographics
Redwood covers 3.32 km2 (1.28 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 8,500 as of June 2024, with a population density of 2,560 people per km2.
Redwood had a population of 8,184 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 72 people (0.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 147 people (−1.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 3,051 households, comprising 3,990 males and 4,194 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female, with 1,587 people (19.4%) aged under 15 years, 1,632 (19.9%) aged 15 to 29, 3,705 (45.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,260 (15.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 83.4% European/Pākehā, 11.9% Māori, 3.2% Pasifika, 9.2% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 18.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.5% had no religion, 37.1% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% were Hindu, 0.8% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 1,047 (15.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,437 (21.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 984 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 3,354 (50.8%) people were employed full-time, 1,002 (15.2%) were part-time, and 255 (3.9%) were unemployed.[36]
The Styx overbridge on Main North Road was first constructed in the mid 1930s.[51] A second bridge was added alongside the first in 2004 to widen the road.[51]
The Main North Railway passes through Redwood. Redwood was the location of the Styx railway station which was open to passengers between 1872 and 1977.[52] The station was located in the area of the Redwood Springs subdivision, near the Styx overbridge. The station was finally closed in 1984.[52]
Alongside the rail tracks west of Main North Road is the Christchurch Northern Line Cycleway that connects Redwood to the central city.[53] The cycle path extends north through Redwood to connect to Main North Road in Belfast.[54][55]
^"Industrial Area". The Press. National Library of New Zealand. 5 May 1965. p. 9. Retrieved 3 January 2024 – via Papers Past.
^"New Names". The Press. National Library of New Zealand. 20 October 1967. p. 14. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024 – via Papers Past.
^ ab"Redwood Library". heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
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