Collingwood , Neuseeland

Collingwood is a town in the north-west corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located in the hub of the Aorere Valley, in the western half of the Golden Bay area.

Geography

The town lies at the end of State Highway 60 in Golden Bay. As it is close to Kahurangi National Park, and the closest town to Farewell Spit, it is an ecotourism destination, although it is in an isolated location away from major tourist routes.

History

The town was originally named Gibbstown after William Gibbs, but was later renamed Collingwood for Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, Lord Nelson's second-in-command at the Battle of Trafalgar. The town was proposed as the capital of New Zealand in the 19th century. A small goldrush caused a rapid but brief rise in population in 1857. The town was substantially damaged by a major fire in 1904.

Schools

The Collingwood area contains one school, Collingwood Area School. This school caters for both primary and secondary education servicing the greater Collingwood area.