Following the discovery of payable gold deposits in the Aorere Valley in 1856 the town's population surged. The population peaked at an estimated 2500 gold miners. In 1857 police buildings were built. In 1859 there were 3 merchants, 2 shoemakers, a tailor, 2 butchers and 7 inns. Fire damaged the town in 1859. In 1860 the gold rush was over and the miners had moved on to the West Coast of the South Island. In the late 1870s coal mining created a second mining boom for Collingwood.[4]
A suggestion was made that Collingwood should become New Zealand's capital. In 1864, three Australian commissioners were tasked with recommending a more central location for the capital and they did visit Golden Bay (then still known as Massacre Bay) but their recommendation was for Wellington.[5]
The town has been damaged by fire several times, being almost destroyed in 1904[6] which started in the bakery and then spread to the general store. Every building on Tasman Street was destroyed.
In 1930 eight buildings were destroyed in a fire including the Collingwood Hotel and the Presbyterian Church. A fire in 1967 started in the Post Office Hotel and destroyed the hotel and the Memorial Hall.[4] A replacement memorial hall was built in 1972 and contains the Collingwood Library.
HealthPost was founded in 1988 as a mail-order company for natural-health products. It has developed into a significant online retailer and is today the largest employer in Golden Bay.[7]
Geography
Collingwood is located along the western shore of Golden Bay at the mouth of the Aorere River.[8] The town is the endpoint for State Highway 60. The road leaving the town to the southwest goes into the Aorere Valley. The road to the north leads to Cape Farewell via a number of small settlements.[9]
Demographics
Collingwood is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 1.66 km2 (0.64 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 320 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 193 people per km2. It is part of the Golden Bay/Mohua SA2 statistical area.[10]
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a larger boundary, covering 1.74 km2 (0.67 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Collingwood had a population of 258 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (4.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 12 people (4.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 117 households, comprising 120 males and 138 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.87 males per female, with 33 people (12.8%) aged under 15 years, 18 (7.0%) aged 15 to 29, 123 (47.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 84 (32.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 95.3% European/Pākehā, 7.0% Māori, 4.7% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 69.8% had no religion, 27.9% were Christian, 1.2% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 66 (29.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 39 (17.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 27 people (12.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 90 (40.0%) people were employed full-time, 48 (21.3%) were part-time, and 3 (1.3%) were unemployed.[11]
Education
Collingwood Area School is a composite school (Years 1–13) catering for primary, secondary, and adult education in the greater Collingwood area, and had a roll of 146 as of August 2024.[12][13] The school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009.[14]
Tourism
Collingwood is home to the only company with a concession to provide tours to Farewell Spit.[15]
Notable buildings
Saint Cuthbert's Anglican Church
St Cuthbert's Church (2021)
Saint Cuthberts was completed in 1873 and built on land believed to have been donated by the town's founder William Gibbs. Local labour and timber were donated to complete the church. Thomas Brunner designed the church. The church having survived unscathed from the many fires that have damaged Collingwood is a New Zealand Heritage category 1 listed building.[16] The church suffered some minor damage from vandals who were caught and prosecuted in 2011.[17] The church seats approximately 50 people. The congregation numbered approximately 20–25 persons in 2016.[18]
Courthouse
The former courthouse (2022)
The courthouse, built in 1901 just outside the town as it was then. Owing to its location, it survived the 1904 fire. The courthouse has for many years been used as a cafe.
Post office
Former post office (2021)
The Post Office was built in 1906 after the 1904 fire and survived the 1930 fire thanks to the Collingwood Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Collingwood Museum
The Collingwood Museum and Aorere Centre are located on Tasman Street. It was established in 1969 in the former 1910 council office building. It features local historical displays.[19]
Collingwood Museum and Aorere Centre (2021)
Golden Bay Machinery & Settlers Museum
The Golden Bay Machinery & Settlers Museum is located just outside of Collingwood at 869 Collingwood-Bainham Road, Rockville. The collection includes farm machinery including tractors, vehicles and early settlers items. A number of working pieces of steam machinery are also on display.[19]
