Benneydale

Bennydale
Country: New Zealand
Population: 200 (2014)
Rural Area
Extent:
Territorial Authority
Name: Waitomo District Council
Website: http://www.waitomo.govt.nz/
Mayor:Brian Hanna
Extent:
Land Area: 3,546.76 km2 (1,369 sq mi)
Regional Council
Name: Environment Waikato
Website: http://www.ew.govt.nz/

Coordinates: 38°31′14.06″S 175°21′45.71″E / 38.5205722°S 175.3626972°E / -38.5205722; 175.3626972

Benneydale is a small town in the Waitomo District. It is situated on State Highway 30 approximately 35 km southeast of Te Kuiti.[1]

After coal was discovered in 1931 a mine was built at the towns present location. In 1940 the government brought the mine and created the township of Benneydale. Its name is a portmanteau of the undersecretary of mines at the time (Mr Benney) and the mine superintendent (Mr Dale). It is the only town in the King Country which does not have a Maori name.[1]

At its peak the town had a population of 2000 with a butchery, bakery and picture theatre.[1][2] There were jobs in the coal mine until the early 1990s, but like many other rural areas in New Zealand the town has slowly declined.[2]

It mainly operates as a farm service town and it is the closest town to the Timber Trail in the Pureora Forest Park. There is also a meat works on the outskirts of town.[1]

Te Miringa te Kakara is the local marae and is located one kilometre outside of town.[1]

Sports broadcaster Keith Quinn was raised in Benneydale.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kia Ora: Benneydale". New Zealand Herald. 2014-07-11. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  2. 1 2 "Rural exodus: Goodbye country ... small town NZ in decline as rush to cities grows". New Zealand Herald. 2012-12-06. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
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