Bell Block
WWI memorial
WWI memorial
Coordinates: 39°1′48″S 174°8′43″E / 39.03000°S 174.14528°E / -39.03000; 174.14528
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki Region
Territorial authorityNew Plymouth District
Ward
  • Kaitake-Ngāmotu General Ward
  • Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori Ward
CommunityPuketapu-Bell Block Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityNew Plymouth District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total11.93 km2 (4.61 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total8,200
 • Density690/km2 (1,800/sq mi)

Bell Block is a town in Taranaki, New Zealand. State Highway 3 runs through it. It is 6 km north-east of the centre of New Plymouth and 1 km from the outer edge of New Plymouth at Waiwhakaiho. Waitara is about 9 km to the north-east. New Plymouth Airport is located immediately to the north-east of Bell Block.[3][4]

History and culture

The land was purchased in November 1848 by Dillon Bell from the Puketapu iwi. The initial purchase was 1,500 acres (610 ha) but more land was added subsequently. Disagreements over the sale of the land contributed to the First Taranaki War.[5] A blockhouse was built by local settlers in early 1860, in order to protect their homes and farms during heightened tensions just prior to the advent of the First Taranaki War.[6] When government troops arrived, a full stockade was built at the site, known as Bell Block Stockade, Bell Blockhouse or Hua Blockhouse. During this time, almost all Bell Block residents took refuge at New Plymouth.[6] Some of the earthworks continued until 1972 when a hotel was built on the site.[7]

Much of New Plymouth's heavy and medium industry is situated around Bell Block, which led to heavy traffic congestion. Construction of an arterial bypass of the town commenced in late 2006.[8] A previously unknown Māori Pā site was discovered during site investigations and was excavated by archaeologists prior to construction.[9]

Marae

Muru Raupatu marae and meeting house is a meeting place for the Puketapu hapū.[10][11]

In October 2020, the Government committed $817,845 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade it and Te Kohanga Moa marae, creating 15 jobs.[12]

Demographics

Bell Block covers 11.93 km2 (4.61 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 8,200 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 687 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20064,578—    
20135,859+3.59%
20187,041+3.74%
Source: [13]

Bell Block had a population of 7,041 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,182 people (20.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,463 people (53.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 2,454 households, comprising 3,420 males and 3,624 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female, with 1,476 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 1,386 (19.7%) aged 15 to 29, 2,961 (42.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,215 (17.3%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 79.6% European/Pākehā, 18.3% Māori, 3.8% Pacific peoples, 10.7% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 20.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.5% had no religion, 37.3% were Christian, 0.8% had Māori religious beliefs, 2.4% were Hindu, 0.7% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 804 (14.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,254 (22.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 915 people (16.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,649 (47.6%) people were employed full-time, 792 (14.2%) were part-time, and 210 (3.8%) were unemployed.[13]

Individual statistical areas
NameArea
(km2)		PopulationDensity
(per km2)		HouseholdsMedian ageMedian
income
Bell Block West4.194,2421,45837.3 years$27,000[14]
Bell Block East7.672,79936599636.6 years$35,100[15]
New Zealand37.4 years$31,800

Features and attractions

The Waipu Lagoons are North Taranaki's only wetland area. The lagoons are home to a variety of wildlife, and are an important natural home for the endangered Australasian bittern.[16]

In December 2014 the northern end of New Plymouth's coastal walkway was extended from Hickford Park, Bell Block through to Tirimoana Crescent, making it possible to cycle or walk from Bell Block into central New Plymouth.[17]

The construction of Taranaki's first world-class BMX facility began in Bell Block in July 2015 and was completed in early 2016.[18]

The BMX track is the latest addition to the Bell Block cycle park, which includes a 1.75 km closed road circuit with two separate 1 km loops and a 333-metre velodrome.[19] The cycle park also has a collection of tracks for children including a miniature town route with traffic lights, a roundabout, railway crossing, accessible car parks, pedestrian crossing and speed bumps, all scaled down to 60 per cent of the original size, to help teach children safety while cycling.[20]

Education

Bell Block School and Puketapu School are coeducational full primary (years 1–8) schools with rolls of 413[21] and 400[22] students respectively as of April 2023.[23] Bell Block School celebrated the 150th anniversary of education in Bell Block in 2006.[24] The present school dates from 1872. Puketapu School was built in 1980.[25]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, pp. map 34, ISBN 0-7900-0952-8
  4. ↑ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, pp. map 85, ISBN 1-877333-20-4
  5. ↑ Bartle, Rhonda (23 December 2005), Conflict and Protest - The Bell Block - Francis Dillon Bell, Puke Ariki, archived from the original on 7 October 2008
  6. 1 2 Prickett, Nigel (1994). "PAKEHA AND MAORI FORTIFICATIONS OF THE FIRST TARANAKI WAR, 1860-61". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 31: 1–87. ISSN 0067-0464.
  7. ↑ Ron Lambert and Gail Henry (2000), Taranaki, An Illustrated History, Auckland, N.Z.: Reed, p. 55, ISBN 0-7900-0727-4
  8. ↑ Construction to start this week on Bell Block: Scoop.co.nz
  9. ↑ "NZ Archaeology News". Archived from the original on 7 August 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  10. ↑ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  11. ↑ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  12. ↑ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Bell Block West (217500) and Bell Block East (217600).
  14. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Bell Block West
  15. ↑ 2018 Census place summary: Bell Block East
  16. ↑ bellblock.co.nz
  17. ↑ "New Plymouth District Council". Archived from the original on 7 December 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  18. ↑ Taranaki Daily News
  19. ↑ "Sport Taranaki". Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  20. ↑ "Taranaki Daily News". Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  21. ↑ Education Counts: Bell Block School
  22. ↑ Education Counts: Puketapu School
  23. ↑ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "Jubilees & reunions: Bell Block School 150th Reunion", Education Gazette New Zealand, 84 (6), 11 April 2005, archived from the original on 16 October 2008
  25. ↑ History of the School, Bell Block School, archived from the original on 8 December 2002

Further reading

General historical works

  • History of Bell Block roads and streets, Bell Block, [N.Z.]: n.p., n.d.
  • T.U.C. study on population in Bell Block, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Taranaki United Council, c. 1984

Clubs and organisations

  • Priest, Elaine; Bellini, Bruce; Dobson, Peter (2003), Bellini, Bruce; Lockstone, Brian (eds.), Bell Block: a local aviation history, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: New Plymouth Aero Club, ISBN 0-473-09076-7

Maori

  • Grayling, William Irwin (1862), The war in Taranaki, during the years 1860-61, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: C.W. Woon, Herald Office
  • Wilberfoss, Peter (2004), Oropuriri, Bell Block, Taranaki: report on the historical context of archaeological site P19/262, Auckland, [N.Z.]: Peter Wilberfoss

New Zealand Wars

  • Maori wars: newspaper cuttings, 1858–1864., n.p.: n.p., 1858–1864
  • Grayling, William Irwin (1862), The war in Taranaki, during the years 1860–61, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: C.W. Woon, Herald Office

Schools

  • Bell Block, Hillsborough, Tarurutangi jubilees, 1856–1959, Bell Block, [N.Z.]: Bell Block School, 1959
  • Bell Block, Hillsborough, Tarurutangi, 1856–1979: schools reunion, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Masterprint, 1979
  • Taylor, Alan G. (c. 2006), 2006 - celebrating 150 years of education at Bell Block, Taranaki: incorporating Bell Block School, 1856–2006+, Hillsborough School, 1879–1942, Tarurutangi School, 1880–1942, Eltham, [N.Z.]: Taylormade Publications, ISBN 0-473-11331-7
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