Glentunnel

Glentunnel
Village
Glentunnel Chapel, February 2017
Glentunnel Chapel, February 2017
Map
Coordinates: 43°29′S 171°56′E / 43.483°S 171.933°E / -43.483; 171.933
CountryNew Zealand
RegionCanterbury
Territorial authoritySelwyn District
WardMalvern
CommunityMalvern
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authoritySelwyn District Council
 • Regional councilEnvironment Canterbury
 • Mayor of SelwynSam Broughton
 • Selwyn MPNicola Grigg
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total0.21 km2 (0.08 sq mi)
Elevation
260 m (850 ft)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total180
 • Density860/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Postcode
7673
Area code03

Glentunnel (known as Surveyors Gully until 1875[3]) is a village located in the Selwyn District of the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island.

It has a close historical association with coal, clay and sand mines of the Malvern area. Originally named ‘Surveyors Gully’, Glentunnel, derived from the tramway tunnel in the glen that gave access to the Homebush coal mine. Coal was discovered in 1871, along with deposits of fine clay, which lead to the establishment of a brick, tile and pottery works that survived until the 1980s.[4]

It is located on State Highway 77/Inland Scenic Route 72, and is 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) west from Darfield and 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Christchurch.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Glentunnel". Selwyn Stories. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  4. ^ "History of rural settlements" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.