Alexandra, New Zealand
| Alexandra | ||
|---|---|---|
  Alexandra | ||
| Urban Area | Population | 4,827 (2006) |
| Territorial Authority |
Name | Central Otago District Council |
| Population | 16,950 (2006 est.) | |
| Extent |
Includes the towns of Alexandra | |
| Regional Council |
Name | Otago |
Alexandra is a town in the Central Otago district of the Otago region of New Zealand. It is located on the banks of the Clutha River (at the confluence of the Manuherikia River), on State Highway 8, 188 km by road from Dunedin and 33 km south of Cromwell.
At the time of the 2006 census, the permanent population was 4,827, an increase of 423 since 2001.[1] 23.1 per cent of the population (higher than the national average) was aged over 65.[2]
History
The town was founded during the Central Otago goldrush in the 1860s, and was named after Alexandra of Denmark. It was known to miners of the day by several names: the "Lower Township", the "Junction Township", and "Manuherikia". (The "Upper Township" was Dunstan, now Clyde.)
Many orchards were destroyed in the 1980s as a result of construction, 10 km upriver, of the Clyde High Dam, which is the country's third largest hydroelectric power station.
Geography
Alexandra is the service centre for a significant stone-fruit industry, which is celebrated by a blossom festival in the town each spring. Grape production is another major industry in the Central Otago Wine Region. Alexandra has the world's southernmost vineyard, Black Ridge.
The town is a popular holiday destination - during the holiday season the Otago Volts cricket team play many of their fixtures at Alexandra's Molyneux Park rather than at their home base, Dunedin's Carisbrook ground. Because of competing venues, this may not last much longer.
Alexandra is perhaps best known for its annual event, the Alexandra Blossom Festival. The Alexandra Blossom Festival celebrates the advent of Spring in the Central Otago District as evidenced by the blooming of the fruit trees. In 2006 Alexandra celebrated its 50th Blossom Festival, which was held from 15 September to 1 October.
The Alexandra Aerodrome is Alexandras only airport. SPANZ, NAC and Mount Cook were main users of the airport till the 80's. It is home to the Central Otago Flying Club, and gliding. It is reasonably quiet, with about 2 commercial flights a week from Mainland Air of Dunedin. However, this is set to change with the arrival of Mainland Air's flight training divsion, Mainland Aviation College, which will be set up later in the year. An OPEN DAY is set to run on Sunday 24th May 10:00am - 3:00pm at the airport, with Intro, Scenic and Aerobatic Flights on the go. BBQ. Free Asmisson. Aircraft on display will be a few of thier eight Cessna 152's, Cessna 172, Socata TB Tobago, two twin engine Piper Senecas (familiar sight in Alexandra) and possibly the big Piper Chieftain, which was the aircraft they used for thier scheduled flights.
Climate
The district is one of the farthest from a coastline in New Zealand and one of the few to experience a continental, almost semi-arid, climate with severe winters and hot, dry summers. The average daily high temperature for the months November through February are warmer than for Auckland. Temperatures can drop below zero or rise above thirty degrees celsius in the summer months.
| Climate data for Alexandra | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Source: NIWA Climate Data[3] | |||||||||||||
Radio Stations
Independently owned Blue Skies FM was established in 2001 as a radio station to serve the local community, but went off the air at the end of September 2008. Its frequency was taken by The Breeze.[4]
Alexandra also has its own local More FM station with the studios being located in Alexandra. Previously this station was known as Radio Central. Central Otago's More FM broadcasts into Roxburgh, Clyde and Cromwell. Wanaka also has More FM but this is a relay of the Queenstown More FM station (formally known as Resort Radio).
Schools
Alexandra has three Primary schools (Alexandra Primary School, Terrace Primary, and St Gerards). There is also one High School (Dunstan High School).
See also
References
- Reed, A.W. (2002) The Reed dictionary of New Zealand place names. Auckland: Reed Books. ISBN 0-790-00761-4.
- ^ "QuickStats About Alexandra". Statistics New Zealand. 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ "QuickStats About Alexandra - Age & Sex". Statistics New Zealand. 2006. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
- ^ "Climate Data". NIWA. Retrieved November 2 2007.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ "Central community radio going off air". The Southland Times. 25 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-04-25.