View source for Wellsford

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name             = Wellsford
|image_skyline    = Rodney St, Wellsford, looking SE.jpg
|image_caption    = Main Street in Wellsford
| native_name     = Whakapirau ([[Māori language|Māori]])
| native_name_lang= <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = New Zealand
|subdivision_type1= [[List of regions in New Zealand|Region]]
|subdivision_name1= [[Auckland Region|Auckland]]
|subdivision_type2= Ward
|subdivision_name2= [[Rodney ward]]
|subdivision_type3= Community board
|subdivision_name3= [[Rodney Local Board]]
|subdivision_type4= Subdivision
|subdivision_name4= Wellsford subdivision
|leader_title     = Territorial Authority
|leader_name      = [[Auckland Council]]
|leader_title2    = [[Mayor of Auckland]]
|leader_name2     = {{NZ officeholder data|Auckland Mayor|y}}
|leader_title3    = [[Kaipara ki Mahurangi|Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP]]
|leader_name3     = {{NZ officeholder data|Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP|y}}
|leader_title4    = [[Te Tai Tokerau|Te Tai Tokerau MP]]
|leader_name4     = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tokerau MP|y}}
|seat_type        = Electorates
|seat             = {{ubl|[[Kaipara ki Mahurangi]]|[[Te Tai Tokerau]]}}
|image_map        = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|36|17|45|S|174|31|24|E}}|zoom=9}}
|coordinates      = {{coord|36|17|45|S|174|31|24|E|region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
|area_total_km2   = 4.72
|area_footnotes   = <ref name="Area"/>
|population_total = {{NZ population data 2018||y}}
|population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
|population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
|population_density_km2 = auto
|postal_code_type= [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode(s)]]
|postal_code= 0900, 0977, 0975, 0972, 0974, 0973
}}
'''Wellsford''' ({{langx|mi|Whakapirau}})<ref name="CentennialParkMasterplan">{{cite report|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/how-auckland-council-works/local-boards/all-local-boards/rodney-local-board/Documents/wellsford-centennial-park-masterplan.pdf |title=Wellsford Centennial Park Masterplan |date=May 2023 |author=[[Rodney Local Board]] |publisher=[[Auckland Council]] |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref> is a town on the [[Northland Peninsula]] in the northern [[North Island]] of New Zealand. It is the northernmost major settlement in the [[Auckland Region]], and is {{convert|77|km}} northwest of the [[Auckland CBD]]. It is a major regional centre, being located at the junction of [[New Zealand State Highway 1|State Highways 1]] and [[New Zealand State Highway 16|16]], almost halfway between Auckland and the [[Northland Region|Northland]] city of [[Whangārei]].

The eastern [[Kaipara Harbour]] has been settled by [[Māori people|Māori]] since the 13th or 14th centuries, who utilised the inland forests and marine resources of the [[Kaipara Harbour]]. The area became home to the [[Ngāti Whātua]] collective [[Te Uri-o-Hau]] by the mid-17th century, with [[hapū]] including Ngāti Mauku, Ngāti Tahuhu and Ngāti Rongo being established from the descendants of Haumoewhārangi, and by strategic marriages with [[Te Kawerau ā Maki|Te Kawerau]] hapū.

Wellsford was established by the [[Albertlanders]] in 1862, a group of [[Baptist]] tradespeople and farmers from the [[Birmingham]] area who settled the southern [[Ōruawharo River]], developing into a timber and [[kauri gum]]. By the early 20th century, the area developed into a regional centre for [[dairy]] farming, in part due to the opening of Wellsford railway station in 1909, linking the town to Auckland.

==Etymology==

The settlement was originally known by its Māori name Whakapirau,<ref name="LINZ">{{LINZ |id=47672 |name=Wellsford |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref> which is the name of the local creek flowing into the [[Kaipara Harbour]].<ref name="Creek">{{LINZ |id=47911 |name=Whakapirau Creek |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref> The settlers disliked the name, which they interpreted to mean "stinking canoe", and began searching for a new name.<ref name="RodneyCoast">{{cite book|last=Bioletti |first=Harry |date=1992 |title=Rodney Coast to Coast: the Story of the Rodney County Council 1976-1989 |isbn=0-473-01296-0 |publisher=Times Media Group Ltd. |pages=156-162}}</ref> The name was changed to Wellsford at a public meeting sometime between the late 1860s and early 1870s. The name was suggested by resident D.R. Lester, allegedly by creating an acronym from the surnames of settler families in the area.<ref name="LINZ"/><ref name="Hoteo">{{cite report|url=https://knowledgeauckland.org.nz/media/1554/tr2014-021-hoteo-river-catchment-environment-and-socio-economic-report.pdf|title=Hoteo River Catchment: Environment and Socio-economic Review |date=August 2014 |first1=Georgina |last1=Hart  |first2=Kathryn |last2=Scott |publisher=Landcare Research |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref> The earliest known references in print to Wellsford date to 1874.<ref>{{cite news|via=Papers Past|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18740330.2.14 |title=Untitled |newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |volume=XII |issue=3862 |date=30 March 1874 |page=2}}</ref> The modern site of Wellsford township was often referred to as the Gum Ridge in the 1870s.<ref name="2019Heritage">{{cite report|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ResourceConsentDocuments/33BUN60354951Historical%20Heritage%20Report.pdf |title=Warkworth to Wellsford Historic Heritage Assessment |first1=Sarah|last1=Phear|first2=Glen|last2=Farley|first3=Zarah|last3=Burnett|first4=Rod|last4=Clough |date=July 2019 |publisher=[[Auckland Council]] |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Piensa en Verde - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|View of rural Wellsford farmland]]

Wellsford is close to a narrowing of the Northland Peninsula caused by an arm of the [[Kaipara Harbour]] on the west coast extending inland for {{convert|20|km}} from the body of the harbour, stretching to within {{convert|15|km}} of the east (Pacific Ocean) coast.

The town is located on hilltops at the junction between [[State Highway 1 (New Zealand)|State Highway 1]] and [[State Highway 16 (New Zealand)|State Highway 16]].<ref name="DesignFramework">{{cite report|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ResourceConsentDocuments/54BUN60354951ULDF.pdf |title=Warkworth to Wellsford Urban & Landscape Design Framework Planning Version |date=June 2019 |author=Boffa Miskell |publisher=[[Auckland Council]] |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref> The upper reaches of the Whakapirau Creek are located to the north of the town,<ref name="Creek"/> while southern Wellsford is in the catchment of the [[Hōteo River]].<ref name="Hoteo"/> The Whakapirau Creek is a tributary of the [[Ōruawharo River]], an arm of the [[Kaipara Harbour]].

The highest point in the town is a {{convert|135|m}} hill located east of the junction of Matheson Road and Worthington Road.<ref name="LINZ"/>

==History==
===Māori history===
During the mid-18th century, [[Ngāti Whātua]] peoples of [[Northland Region|Northland]] migrated south to the Kaipara Harbour. The northern and eastern Kaipara, including Wellsford, were controlled by [[Te Uri-o-Hau]], a Ngāti Whātua tribal grouping led by Haumoewhārangi.<ref name="2019Heritage"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/ngati-whatua/page-2 |first=Rāwiri |last=Taonui |title=Ngāti Whātua - The tribes of Ngāti Whātua |website=[[Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |date=22 March 2017 |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref> Ngāti Rongo developed as a [[hapū]] in the area through the union between Haumoewhārangi's granddaughter Moerangaranga and Maki's son Ngāwhetu,<ref name="2019Heritage"/> and Ngāti Manuhiri developed ties with Te Uri-o-Hau.<ref name="ManuhiriWarkworth">{{cite report|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/pc25-appendix-7-2-ngati-manuhiri-cia.pdf |title=Cultural Values Assessment for the Warkworth North Structure Plan and Associated Development |first=Fiona |last=McKenzie |publisher=Manuhiri Kaitiaki Chariatable Trust |date=May 2017 |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref> Te Uri-o-Hau, including the hapū Ngāti Mauku and Ngāti Tahuhu, lived seasonally along the Oruawharo River.<ref name="UrioHau">{{cite report|url=https://www.tearawhiti.govt.nz/assets/Treaty-Settlements/FIND_Treaty_Settlements/Te-Uri-o-Hau/DOS_documents/Te-Uri-o-Hau-Deed-of-Settlement-Schedules-13-Dec-2000.pdf |title=Deed of Settlement to Settle Te Uri o Hau Historical Claims: Schedules |author1=[[Te Uri-o-Hau|Te Uri o Hau]] |author2=[[New Zealand Government|Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand]] |date=13 December 2000 |publisher=[[New Zealand Government]] |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref>

In the 1820s during the [[Musket Wars]], the eastern Kaipara was depopulated, as people sought refuge in other parts of the country.<ref name="DesignFramework"/> Te Uri-o-Hau and Ngāti Rango gradually returned to the area by the late 1830s.<ref name="2019Heritage"/>

===Early colonial era===
[[File:Wellsford, 1914.jpg|thumb|left|View of rural Wellsford in 1914]]
The banks of the [[Ōruawharo River]] were purchased by [[New Zealand Government|the Crown]] in 1860, followed by the Hoteo Block to the south in 1868.<ref name="2019Heritage"/>

Under a Special Settlement Scheme by the Government, the Oruawharo Block became a planned settlement, predominantly settled by [[Baptist]] tradespeople and farmers from the [[Birmingham]] area, who settled between 1862 and 1865 at [[Tāpora]], [[Port Albert, New Zealand|Port Albert]] and Wellsford.<ref name="DesignFramework"/> These settlers called themselves the [[Albertlanders]], after Prince Albert, [[Queen Victoria]]'s consort. They were a "breakaway group from the [[Anglican Church]] looking for a new world".<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |title=How not to rob a bank, paragraph 5 |access-date=2008-03-19 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10405898&pnum=0 |first=Phil |last=Taylor |date=14 October 2006}}</ref> Wellsford was originally known by the name Whakapirau,<ref name="LINZ"/> and settlers established a settlement between the Whakapirau Stream and the eastern borders of the Oruawharo Block.<ref name="2019Heritage"/>

Initial industry at Whakapirau was dominated by the timber trade, and in 1864 Nicholson's timber mill was established on the southern banks of the Ōruawharo River. [[Kauri gum]] diggers' camps were established across the area in the 1870s, including a {{convert|500|acre}} area called the Wayby Kauri Gum Reserve that was set aside for the practice. The modern Wellsford township site was also dug for kauri gum, and was often referred to as The Gum Ridge.<ref name="2019Heritage"/> Members of Te Uri-o-Hau traded and intermingled with the Alberton settlers.<ref name="UrioHau"/> The settlement's modern name, Wellsford, was likely adopted in the early 1870s.<ref name="LINZ"/> Wellsford would move eastwards over time to its current location.<ref name="coast">{{cite book | last=Bioletti | first=Harry | title=Rodney Coast to Coast | date=1992 | isbn=0-473-01296-0 |page=156-166}}</ref>

In 1885, the Crown purchased the Pakiri Block from Ngāti Manuhiri, an area that included the areas immediately adjacent to Wellsford.<ref name="ManuhiriDeed">{{Cite web|url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Ngati-Manuhiri/Ngati-Manuhiri-Deed-of-Settlement-21-May-2011.pdf |title=Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims |author1=[[Ngāti Manuhiri]] |author2=[[New Zealand Government|The Crown]]|date=21 May 2011|publisher=[[New Zealand Government]]|access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="2019Heritage"/> This led to the expansion of Wellsford to the south, away from the Whakapirau Stream.<ref name="2019Heritage"/>

===Establishment of the railway, modern development===
[[File:Wellsford railway.jpg|thumb|Wellsford railway station on the [[North Auckland Line]] in 2018 with logs waiting to be loaded onto a train.]]

By 1900, the timber and kauri gum trades had begun to recede, and settlers turned to dairy farming as a primarily source of income. The Wayby Co-operative Dairy Company established in 1902.<ref name="2019Heritage"/> In 1909, the [[North Auckland Line]] was extended north to Wellsford.<ref name="Hoteo"/> This led to economic development in Wellsford, especially dairy farming and sheep farming operations.<ref name="Hoteo"/> During this period, the town gradually moved away from the shores of the Whakapirau Stream, with the new centre of Wellsford developing near the train station.<ref name="2019Heritage"/>

Dairy farming in the region intensified further with the establishment of better roads in the 1930s.<ref name="DesignFramework"/> As roads improved, the town developed as a service stop for people travelling between Auckland and [[Whangārei]] along [[State Highway 1 (New Zealand)|State Highway 1]].<ref name="DesignFramework"/> Passenger train services to Wellsford ceased in 1975.<ref name="Rail Heritage Trust">{{cite web|url=https://railheritage.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Dates_and_names.pdf|title=Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations|last=Scoble|first=Juliet|date=2010|website=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand|accessdate=16 January 2024}}</ref> In 1979, Irwin Industrial Tools was established in Wellsford, constructing circular saw-blades and growing to be a major local employer, before closing in 2009.<ref name="Margaret">{{cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/auckland-places/page-6 |title=Auckland places - Kaipara Harbour and kauri towns |first=Margaret |last=McClure |website=[[Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |date=6 December 2007 |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/closure-hits-founder-hard/FKMSICKO4PRISN2ER7COQFSCUA/ |title=Closure hits founder hard |first=Maria |last=Slade |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=17 November 2009 |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref>

The local Ōruawharo Marae is a traditional meeting ground for [[Te Uri-o-Hau]] and the [[Ngāti Whātua]] [[hapū]] of [[Ngāti Mauku]] and [[Ngāti Tahuhu]].<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= https://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Puni Kōkiri]]}}</ref> It includes the Rangimārie meeting house.<ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref> In 1990, the [[Albertland Heritage Museum]] opened in Wellsford.<ref name="Albertland Heritage Museum">{{cite web |title=Albertland Heritage Museum |url=https://albertlandmuseum.co.nz |publisher=Albertland Heritage Museum}}</ref><ref name="nzmuseums-Albertland Heritage Museum">{{cite web |title=Albertland Heritage Museum |url=https://www.nzmuseums.co.nz/collections/3253/albertland-heritage-museum-inc |website=nzmuseums.co.nz |publisher=[[Te Papa]]}}</ref><ref name="ljohnston">{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Lyn |title=History – A museum takes shape |url=https://www.localmatters.co.nz/opinion/a-museum-takes-shape/ |publisher=Local Matters |date=12 May 2021}}</ref>

By the 21st century, tourism and lifestyle blocks has increasingly drawn people to Wellsford.<ref name="Hoteo"/> The [[Auckland Northern Motorway]] is planned to be extended from [[Warkworth, New Zealand|Warkworth]] to Wellsford in the future,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/466589/puhoi-to-warkworth-motorway-opening-pushed-back-again |title=Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway opening pushed back again |date=6 May 2022 |first=Phil |last=Pennington |website=[[Radio New Zealand]] |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref> and housing developments in the 2020s have been predicted to increase the size of the town by more than 800 houses.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/topic-based-plans-strategies/housing-plans/Documents/future-urban-land-supply-strategy.pdf |title=Auckland Future Urban Land Supply Strategy |date=July 2017 |publisher=[[Auckland Council]] |access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Wellsford is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area. It covers {{Convert|4.72|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=27 April 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Wellsford|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wellsford|y}}|R}}/4.72|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|1,671|2013|1,743|2018|1,974|2023|2,037|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Wellsford (110500)|wellsford|Wellsford}}</ref><ref name="Census 2023"/>|footnote=The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 4.55 km<sup>2</sup>.}}
Wellsford had a population of 2,037 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 63 people (3.2%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 294 people (16.9%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 1,035 males, 1,002 females and 3 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 750 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.1068.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 2.1% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 36.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 453 people (22.2%) aged under 15 years, 381 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 855 (42.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 348 (17.1%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 78.5% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 25.2% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 6.6% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 8.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.4%, Māori language by 4.4%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 9.7%. No language could be spoken by 3.1% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 21.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 32.8% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.2% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.7% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 2.9% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.7% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.6% [[New Age]], and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 53.5%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 138 (8.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 888 (56.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 504 (31.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $34,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 111 people (7.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 729 (46.0%) people were employed full-time, 216 (13.6%) were part-time, and 48 (3.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.1068.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Wellsford (1068)}}</ref>

==Education==

Rodney College is a secondary (years 9–13) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|23|y}} students.<ref>{{TKI|23|Rodney College}}</ref> Wellsford School is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1126|y}} students.<ref>{{TKI|1126|Wellsford School}}</ref> Rodney College's Board of Trustees was dismissed in August 2008 and a Ministry of Education commissioner appointed.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_640907">{{cite news |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/640907 |title=Commissioner for Rodney College |date=23 September 2008 |work=[[Rodney Times]] |access-date=2 December 2011}}</ref> By 2016, the college was performing well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ero.govt.nz/review-reports/rodney-college-16-06-2016/|title=Rodney College - 16/06/2016|publisher=Education Review Office|date=16 June 2016}}</ref>

Living Way Christian School closed at the end of 2018 due to falling rolls.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.localmatters.co.nz/news/28498-falling-roll-forces-living-way-to-close.html|title=Falling roll forces Living Way to close|publisher=Localmatters|date=15 October 2018}}</ref>

Wellsford, Tauhoa, Pākiri, Tāpora, Tomarata and Mangawhai Primary Schools all cater for students from year 1–8, and collectively contribute to the annual in take of roughly 80 year 9 students at Rodney College.

All the schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

== Sport ==
Being a rural town, sport plays a big part in Wellsford's day-to-day life with [[Rugby union|rugby]], [[soccer]], [[netball]], [[cricket]], [[tennis]] and [[sport of athletics|athletics]] being amongst the more popular sports played. The Wellsford Golf Club is popular among the locals and also houses [[Squash (sport)|squash]] courts. [[Rollerskating]], [[archery]] and [[bowling]], (indoors and outdoors) are also available, while [[Equestrianism|equestrian]] is also popular in the area.<ref>[https://www.wellsford.co.nz/sport/ Sports groups and clubs]. Retrieved 16 March 2013.</ref>

==Local government==

With the abolition of the [[provinces of New Zealand]] in 1876, Wellsford became part of the newly formed [[Rodney County, New Zealand|Rodney County]].<ref name="Bloomfield">{{cite book |last1=Bloomfield |first1=G.T. |title=The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840–1971 |publisher=Auckland University Press, Oxford University Press |date=1973 |isbn=0 19 647714 X |pages=49, 57, 116, 128}}</ref> In 1953 the town committee for Wellsford was formed. This became the Wellsford County Borough Council in 1971 and in 1974 it became the Wellsford District Community Council.<ref name="coast"/>

From 1989 to 2010, Wellsford was part of [[Rodney District]].

In November 2010, all city and district councils in the [[Auckland Region]] were merged into a single unitary authority, [[Auckland Council]],<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.26686/pq.v11i4.4572| issn = 2324-1101| volume = 11| issue = 4| last = Blakeley| first = Roger| title = The planning framework for Auckland 'super city': an insider's view| journal = Policy Quarterly| date = 2015| doi-access = free}}</ref> with Warkworth in the [[Rodney (local board area)|Rodney Local Board area]]. Electors in Wellsford vote for the seven-member [[Rodney Local Board]], and also a [[Rodney ward]] councillor, who represents the area on the Auckland Council.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.wellsford.co.nz/ Official Wellsford and areas community website]
* [https://www.visitwellsford.co.nz/ Visit Wellsford website]
* [https://albertland.co.nz/ Albertland Museum website]

{{Authority control}}
{{Rodney Local Board Area Wellsford Subdivision}}
{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}}
[[Category:1862 establishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Rodney Local Board Area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1862]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Auckland Region]]