Riverton
Aparima (Māori) | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Riverton / Aparima | |
 Fishing boats | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 46°21′S 168°01′E / 46.350°S 168.017°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authorities of New Zealand | Southland District |
| Ward | Waiau Aparima Ward |
| Community | Oraka Aparima Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Southland District Council |
| • Regional council | Southland Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Southland | Rob Scott |
| • Invercargill MP | Penny Simmonds |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
| • Land | 8.74 km2 (3.37 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023)[2] | |
| • Total | 1,640 |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcodes | 9822, 9847 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Riverton, officially Riverton / Aparima,[3] is a small New Zealand town 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Invercargill, on the south-eastern shorelines of the Jacobs River Estuary. The estuary is formed by the Aparima and Pourakino rivers, leading through a narrow outflow channel into Foveaux Strait.[4] Accessible via State Highway 99 on the Southern Scenic Route, the main part of the town is on flat land (the Southland Plains) and the northern end of Oreti Beach. South Riverton is built on the hills (the Longwood Range) between the eastern shore of the estuary and Taramea Bay.[5]
Riverton is the oldest permanent settlement of Southland and one of New Zealand's oldest towns. In 2011 Riverton residents celebrated the town's 175th anniversary.
The main industry is fishing. Farming (especially dairying) has become more important economically as the fishing industry has been less productive due to competition.[citation needed] Support services such as transport, irrigation, engineering and various farm related contractors now play an important part in the local economy. The fish factory based on its main wharf has been converted to a butchery. The harbour is still quite busy, because, along with Bluff, it is a safe harbour for access to New Zealand's south-western seas. It is also popular for water skiing, rowing, fishing and catching the occasional flounder.
Taramea Bay is a popular spot in the summer for Southland residents, as it provides safe swimming and excellent surf spots. Riverton is well known for dolphin spotting, as dolphin like to travel up into the estuary for feeding. The lumber industry developed in Riverton and sawmills processed the harvest; Pankhurst's Mill still supplies timber locally and to wider Southland.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Areawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998 No 97 (As at 30 January 2021), Public Act Schedule 96 Alteration of place names – New Zealand Legislation".
- ^ Wises New Zealand Guide Wises Publications Limited 1998
- ^ McLintock, A. H. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Volume 3