Fairlie, New Zealand
Fairlie is a Mackenzie District service town (or township) located in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. The estimated population was 950 as of June 2023. Being on state highway 8 between Christchurch (182 km, 2 hours 20 minutes drive) and Queenstown (300 km 3.5 hours drive), tourism is fast becoming a major industry within the town. Kimbell is 8 km west of Fairlie via state highway 8. Geraldine is 45 km east via state highway 79 and Timaru is 58 km southeast of Fairlie via state highway 8. Fairlie sits at an altitude of 301 metres above sea level.
Fairlie | |
|---|---|
Town | |
A statue of James Mckenzie and his dog, in the centre of the town | |
| Coordinates: 44°06′S 170°50′E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Mackenzie District |
| Ward | Opuha Ward |
| Community | Fairlie Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Mackenzie District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Mackenzie | Anne Munro |
| • Waitaki MP | Miles Anderson |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.95 km2 (1.91 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023) | |
| • Total | 950 |
| • Density | 190/km2 (500/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time) |
| Postcode | 7925 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
| Website | http://www.mackenzie.govt.nz/ |
From 1884 to 1968, the town was served by the Fairlie Branch railway, though until 1934, this branch line actually terminated a kilometre beyond Fairlie in Eversley.
Fairlie is commonly known as the gateway to the Mackenzie Basin. The town was initially called Fairlie's Creek, a name purportedly chosen by David Hamilton, the brother-in-law of James Lister (or Lizter), who had built a boarding house near the creek. The name Hamilton had been suggested, but was rejected due to similarity to the City of Hamilton in the North Island. David Hamilton suggested the town be named Fairlie after Fairlie, Scotland, which he had visited as part of his honeymoon. After 1892, the town's name was shortened to Fairlie.
The Ōpihi River runs past Fairlie.