Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs is a small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. The Māori name for Hanmer Springs is Te Whakatakanga o te Ngārahu o te ahi a Tamatea, which means “where the ashes of Tamate’s (sic) fire lay”, referring to Tamatea, the captain of the canoe Tākitimu.
Hanmer Springs | |
|---|---|
Hanmer Springs from Mount Isobel | |
| Coordinates: 42°31′S 172°49′E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| District | Hurunui |
| Community board | Hanmer Springs Community Board |
| Ward | West Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | Hurunui District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Hurunui | Marie Black |
| • Kaikoura MP | Stuart Smith |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.23 km2 (1.63 sq mi) |
| Elevation (NZHR, Airport) | 338 m (1,109 ft) |
| Population (June 2022) | |
| • Total | 1,120 |
| • Density | 260/km2 (690/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 7334 |
Hanmer Springs is located 130 km (81 mi) north-west of Christchurch and 65 km (40 mi) south-west of Kaikōura (135 km (84 mi) by road), in the Hurunui District. The town lies on a minor road 9 km (5.6 mi) north of State Highway 7, the northern route between Christchurch and the West Coast via Lewis Pass. The township lies at the base of Conical Hill. Mount Isobel (1,324 m (4,344 ft)) looks over Hanmer Springs. Jacks Pass and Jollies Pass provide access to the Molesworth and Rainbow roads.