Living in Hanmer Springs

The trip 140 km on a sealed road is only a two hour trip, and the varied views in the countryside make it a pleasure, Roger says. The changing seasons are reflected in the colours of the leaves on the trip through the plains of North Canterbury and the sheltering hills of the Waipara Valley. Frequent trips over the last eight years have let them witness the growth of vineyards in the Amberley/Waipara area. The limestone formations of the Weka Pass are a special feature, differently highlighted under changing skies. Sometimes there is a view of the historic train on its Sunday excursions through the Pass. The old Hurunui Hotel offers an interesting historic place for a meal, a beer or some local wine, or a good cup of tea or coffee.

A trip of 20 km along a straight road through pine plantations on the Culverden Plain takes the traveller to the Red Post Junction. The Red Post is indeed a red post, a marker from the earliest days of settlement to indicate where the route to the Lewis Pass deviates from that to Kaikoura.

It is interesting to note the change from the dry lands of sheep farms to dairying on land irrigated by border dyke irrigation. Broom invading shrub lands of the Waiau Gorge means that it can be a blaze of gold in season. Beside the Broom, one gets in midsummer the flowering of the kanuka, which gives the appearance of snow on the hillsides in the Waiau Gorge.

Next comes the Hanmer Springs turnoff from the main road and the Waiau Ferry Bridge, adjacent to where the ferry operated. Then it’s 10 km across the Hanmer Plain to the township, with visitors in evidence most days and crowds at weekends and on holidays.

Buying a holiday house the fulfilment of a dream Daphne and Roger fulfilled a long held dream and bought a small house in Hanmer Springs so that they could get away from the city at weekends and holidays. Then as Roger retired the time spent there gradually increased and they bought a bigger house so that they had more space for family and friends to visit and more room for their hobbies – Daphne’s patchwork and quilting and Roger’s consultancy work. Now they spend about half their time in Hanmer Springs and find themselves enjoying more and more the beauty of the place and the activities of the local community.

Life as half-time Hanmer Springs residents “Hanmer Springs offers peace amid the beauty of the surrounding mountains,” Roger commented. “The climate is pleasant. Summer brings some really hot weather, and even in midwinter people are able to get out. There is an interesting mix of walks with an easy grade and a sub-alpine backdrop at a lower level in the forest, as well as more demanding climbs for the more energetic.

“Winter Palette, Hanmer Springs” painting by Bill Moore Photo Source: Bill Moore Click here to view a larger version

“The community includes an interesting mix of people. The settlement grew there not just to service the hot pools, but was a service centre for the former NZ Post and Telegraph and NZ Electricity, the forest workforce and the people at the Queen Mary Hospital.This was built as a convalescent home for soldiers after World War I, and later treated patients first for nervous disorders and more recently for alcoholism. It continued to serve New Zealand people until 2003.”

Although of course the prices are a little higher than in Christchurch supermarkets, the shops supply all the residents’ needs, Daphne assured me. There are also fashion shops, antique and gift shops, the Wool Barn for woollen garments and wool, a potter, and a patchwork and quilting shop. These shops cater for the many residents interested in crafts.

The town has a new library which also serves as the service centre for the Hurunui District Council. The adjacent gallery displays the work of local artists and craftspeople.

Groups and clubs The thriving groups and clubs give residents the chance to meet other people and develop enjoyable hobbies. They include a very strong bridge club, golf club, Probus club, Village Bible Study, a seniors computer group, and a patchwork and quilting group.

The Amuri Players put on an annual production, and a resident musician, Dr Jan Crawford, organises house concerts supported by a subsidy from the Community Arts Council.

Community Arts Council Autumn School This has been organised for ten years and has been increasingly successful. The programme has included classes in bone carving, wood carving, pen and wash drawing, patchwork and photography. Hanmer Springs has wonderful autumn colours as the leaves turn and this is an added bonus for people who enrol in classes at the school.

An appealing place for visitors People living in Hanmer Springs are sure to have many visitors because there are so many activities they can take part in during their stay, even if it is just a day trip.

Day trips have long been popular. In 1900 visitors travelled by train to Culverden, and then by coach on a rough unsealed road to Hanmer Springs. Even when buses replaced the coaches the return trip was a full day of adventure. With the improvements in the road the trip is now only two hours each way. For visitors who have no car The Hanmer Connection offers a daily shuttle service.

While in the town the most popular family activities have always been visiting the pools, picnicking, playing golf and walking in the forest.
Now there are many other options.

Contributing to the community Happiness in any place is partly determined by how much people are prepared to contribute to the community where they live.

Roger and Daphne’s enjoyment of Hanmer Springs is certainly enhanced by their involvement in the community and the friendships that have resulted.

Daphne is always a friendly and hospitable hostess and she has shared her enthusiasm for the hobby of patchwork and quilting by whole-heartedly participating in the local craft group and exhibiting her work in the annual Amuri Agricultural and Pastoral Show.

Roger has a particular interest in trees and plants, being a former Secretary and President of the Canterbury Botanical Society. He helped set up the Hanmer Heritage Forest Trust to promote the public values of the old forest, seeking long-term security of public access. He is a member of the Community Board, having the portfolio of Reserves, with responsibilities of ensuring that the wooded ambience of Hanmer Springs is maintained despite limited finance. Currently he is also involved in the Queen Mary Reserve Trust, which is seeking the retention of the former Queen Mary Hospital Land as a green space in the heart of the spa town adjacent to the thermal springs.

Life away from the city While many New Zealanders are moving from rural New Zealand to the cities Daphne and Roger have found much to recommend in the opposite move – from the city to a beautiful rural village.