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WellsfordNorth Island - New Zealand
New Zealand facts & history in brief
Wellsford
Wellsford is a town in the northern North Island of New Zealand. The town is the northernmost major settlement in the Auckland Region, and is 114 kilometres northwest of Auckland City. Wellsford is located close to a narrowing of the North Auckland Peninsula caused by an arm of the Kaipara Harbour on the west coast extending inland for 20 kilometres from the body of the harbour, stretching to within 15 kilometres of the east (Pacific Ocean) coast. Although the town's population is only 1671 it is a major regional centre, being located at the junction of State Highways 1 and 16. Its location almost exactly halfway between Auckland and the northern city of Whangarei also makes it a more notable regional centre. History In the early 1860s, English settlers arrived, establishing themselves at Port Albert, on the Kaipara Coast about 10 kilometres west of Wellsford. These settlers called themselves the Albertlanders, after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort. They were a "breakaway group from the Anglican Church looking for a new world". However, not many of the settlers arrived at Port Albert and the ones who did found it difficult to make a living. The majority of the Albertlanders moved inland, to more fertile areas in the region. As a result, Wellsford was founded. The Name Wellsford According to local tradition, the origin of the name Wellsford is believed to be an acronym based on the surnames of the first families who settled in the region. These names were as follows: Watson, Edger, Lester, Levet, Simpson, Foster, Oldfield, Ramsbottom and Dibble. Education Rodney College is a secondary (years 9-13) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 350. Wellsford School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 343. Rodney College's Board of Trustees was dismissed in August 2008 and a ministry of education commissioner appointed. Living Way Learning Centre is a composite (years 1-13) school with a decile rating of 6 and a roll of 34. It is a private school which provides an education based on a "God-centred, Biblical perspective". All these schools are coeducational. Sport Being a rural town, sport plays a big part in Wellsford's day to day life with rugby, netball, cricket, tennis and athletics being amongst the more popular sports played. If looking for a more low key game, the Wellsford Golf Club is popular among the locals and also houses squash courts. Rollerskating, Archery and bowling, (indoors and outdoors) are also available. Equestrian is also popular in the area. Things To Do Whilst there are not an abundance of activities to do apart from sport in Wellsford, there are several places within a 45 minute driving radius that offer people the opportunity enjoy a more leisurely visit. Mangawhai is 27 kilometres from Wellsford boasting five beaches within 15 minutes of each other and plenty of local shops teeming with local merchandise. Lake Tomarata and Lake Spectacle are found 20 kilometres northeast of Wellsford. Because of Lake Tomarata have the best vehicle access of the two lakes, it is generally the more popular of the two, although both are extremely popular with water skiers. Also, Lake Tomarata has a safe, fenced of section near the lake shore for young children to swim in. "It also offers a boat ramp, changing shed, toilet, barbecue and picnic tables." Warkworth is around 20 kilometres south of Wellsford. Some of the main attractions that branch from Warkworth are Goat Island Marine Reserve, Mahurangi Regional Park, horse riding and of course Kawau Island. Also beaches at Leigh, Sandspit and Omaha are just outside the Warkworth area. Parakai Pools are located in Helensville about 58 kilometres from Wellsford itself. The pools has "two huge pools filled with natural hot thermal spring water combined with two exciting hydroslides." There are also private spas and one of the pools has a shallow area for children to play safely in. Wellsford is noted as a rest stop for travelers, having the only fast-food locations on State Highway One for 60 kilometres in either direction. This includes McDonalds and Jester's Pies.
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