Hope began as a German settlement, founded by many of the families on the barque Skjold, which left Hamburg on 21 April 1844 and arrived in Nelson on 1 September. The voyage was underwritten by German nobleman Count von Rantzau [de]; in appreciation, Carl Kelling, an early farmer and Count von Rantzau's representative, gave his homestead the name "Ranzau", a name used for the entire village until it was renamed after Jane Hope, another early settler.[3]
The German influence survives in Ranzau Road, which itself houses Ranzau School (dating from 1848) as well as a Lutheran church (established in 1849) opposite the newer Hope Community Church.[4]
Today the settlement remains largely rural, dominated by farms and orchards. There are two primary schools (Ranzau School and Hope School), scattered speciality shops (many operating from an orchard or market garden), a restaurant/bar, a convenience store, and a park with tennis courts and a recreation hall.
Demographics
The Hope statistical area covers 6.81 km2 (2.63 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 900 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 121 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, Hope had a larger boundary, covering 7.44 km2 (2.87 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Hope had a population of 930 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (4.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 18 people (2.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 327 households, comprising 477 males and 453 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.05 males per female. The median age was 44.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 150 people (16.1%) aged under 15 years, 171 (18.4%) aged 15 to 29, 471 (50.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 138 (14.8%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.9% European/Pākehā, 10.0% Māori, 3.2% Pasifika, 1.3% Asian, and 2.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.1% had no religion, 34.5% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 105 (13.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 156 (20.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 120 people (15.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 453 (58.1%) people were employed full-time, 138 (17.7%) were part-time, and 12 (1.5%) were unemployed.[5]
Education
Hope School, in the south, is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[6] with a roll of 95 as of August 2024.[7]
Ranzau School, in the north, is also a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[8][9] with a roll of 112 as of August 2024.[10]
^Reed, Alexander Wyclif (1975). Place Names of New Zealand. A. H. & A. W. Reed. p. 178. ISBN9780589009335. Retrieved 9 June 2023. At an early date in the history of the province Lady Jane Hope and her sons Edward and Orry came to Nelson, where Lady Jane bought land, hoping to interest her sons in farming. She had been Lady Jane Hamilton, a grand-daughter of the Duke of Hamilton. The district was earlier called Ranzau by German immigrants .
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