Belfast, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Belfast is a suburb of Christchurch
, New Zealand. It is in the north of the city, close to the banks of the Waimakariri River
.
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.
, Countdown
, Smiths City and a Subway
restaurant, amongst others. In 2006 the Barracutta bar opened alongside these.
Belfast is home to the Belfast Cobras rugby team that compete 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.
In recent years the Northwood subdivision was built near Belfast. This is part of Belfast, but is generally agreed to be a subdivision and an autonomous region.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand. It is in the north of the city, close to the banks of the Waimakariri River
Waimakariri River
The Waimakariri River is the largest of the North Canterbury rivers, in the South Island of New Zealand. It flows for 151 kilometres in a generally southeastward direction from the Southern Alps across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean....
.
History
Belfast is named after BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It was originally known as North Road District, Seven Mile Peg, Styx, or by its Māori
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
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.
Location and services
Belfast is well known for the freezing works, Belfast New World and the Northwood 'Supa Centa', which houses The WarehouseThe Warehouse Group
The Warehouse Group Limited, founded by Stephen Tindall in 1982, is the largest department store retailer operating in New Zealand. The Warehouse is largely a discount store similar to Wal-Mart in the United States, however The Warehouse sells far more generic brand merchandise than other discount...
, Countdown
Countdown (supermarket)
Countdown is a New Zealand full-service supermarket chain, owned by Woolworths Limited. Founded in 1981, Countdown is now the flagship brand of Progressive Enterprises, Woolworths' New Zealand supermarket subsidiary, with 133 supermarkets across New Zealand...
, Smiths City and a Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
restaurant, amongst others. In 2006 the Barracutta bar opened alongside these.
Belfast is home to the Belfast Cobras rugby team that compete 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.
In recent years the Northwood subdivision was built near Belfast. This is part of Belfast, but is generally agreed to be a subdivision and an autonomous region.
Notable people from Belfast
- Jamie Nutbrown (plays for Waikato Chiefs in Super 14 rugby) Former Canterbury Crusaders 1/2 Back
- Les McFadden (2006 awarded Queens service medal for community service)
- Shane BondShane BondShane Edward Bond was a New Zealand cricketer, described as "New Zealand's best fast bowler since Sir Richard Hadlee". He has represented New Zealand in Test, ODI and Twenty20 International cricket as well as playing for Canterbury in New Zealand domestic cricket and Warwickshire in English...
(plays for New Zealand Black Caps cricket team( - Bill Bush (former All-Black) Now President Belfast Rugby Club (Cobras)
- Wayne SmithWayne Smith (rugby player)Wayne Ross Smith is a former rugby union footballer, and currently a rugby union coach. He is currently the backs coach for New Zealand's national rugby union team the All Blacks. He played provincial rugby for Canterbury and became an All Black in 1980. He played first five-eighth, gaining 35...
(All Black's assistant coach) - Craig GreenCraig GreenCraig Ivan Green, is a New Zealand born rugby union footballer turned coach. He played on the wing and played 39 times as an All Black from 1983 until 1987. He played his provincial rugby for Canterbury and finished off his career in Italy.-Coaching career:Recently he has moved back to Italy and...
(former All Black)