Homebush, New Zealand

Homebush is a settlement in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. It has had a long association with the pioneering Deans family.

Homebush
Settlement
Homebush
Coordinates:
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
ElectoratesSelwyn
Te Tai Tonga
Population
 (2018)
 • Total1,191[lower-alpha 1]
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Area code(s)03

History

Due to the area's surrounding industry, Homebush was connected to the Whitecliffs Branch, which operated from 1875 until 1962. The railway station (built in 1875) was located in Yeomans Road. It is now located in Darfield at the Branch's memorial site.[1]

2010 Canterbury earthquake

The historic Homebush Homestead owned by the Deans family was destroyed during the earthquake. It was soon rebuilt four years later.[2]

Film

Homebush's forests (located in the homestead gardens) were used as a filming location for the 2005 Narnia film, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.[3][4]

Landmarks

A number of historic farms buildings are located around Homebush. These building were primarily used for use by the Homebush Station.[5] These include:

  • The water turbine, which was constructed in 1880 and incorporated into its own room in the stables, was used to drive farm machinery such as saw bench, chaff cutter, wheat mill, whetstone, seed dresser. A 60-metre underground brick tunnel was built to bring water from the dammed up Waianiwaniwa river down to a circular brick well in which the turbine sits. Another tunnel was also built. This tunnel, approximately 150 metres in length, drained the water away. The turbine is thought to be the only one of its type in New Zealand and may be the only one in the world. A water tower was built outside the entrance to the turbine room and still stands.[6]
  • The stables are located south of the homestead.
  • The brick woolshed, as well as the shearers' quarters (brick house to the north of the shed) can be seen from the main road at the intersection of Deans Road and Bangor/Homebush Road.

Footnotes
  1. Total population includes the urban areas of Coalgate, Glentunnel and Whitecliffs.

References
  1. Caddick, Kent (11 February 2015). "Rail line memorial opens". Issuu. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  2. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Homebush reborn, 2014". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  3. "Where was Narnia filmed?". Answers. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  4. "Homebush - Canterbury". www.facebook.com. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  5. "Search the List | Homebush Station | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  6. "Search the List | Homebush Station | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2020.


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