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Charing Cross
Description
NameCharing Cross
DescriptionCharing Cross is a lightly populated area near Greendale, now known for farming. It is so-named as it is positioned at a junction of seven roads: it is thought to be named after Charing Cross in Westminster, London, where six roads meet.
The 1903 Cyclopedia of New Zealand stated that 'relics of Māori habitation' were frequently found in Charing Cross at that time, which aligns with the network of trails across Waitaha (the Canterbury Plains) used by Ngāi Tahu to connect settlements and mahika kai sites (places where food is grown, prepared and harvested). These gave way to private ownership and pasture following the signing of Kemp's Deed in 1848, where Ngāi Tahu were pressured to sell their land to the Crown for colonial settlement.
'The earliest European settlers were Messrs Riordan and Shipley, who arrived in the district about 1879, and were soon followed by others. Charing Cross was originally covered with wild tussocks, but is now dotted with well-ordered farms, and numerous intersecting roads. The district is devoted chiefly to sheep grazing and grain growing, and contains many extensive and well managed estates. It possesses a public school [which opened in 1886], a blacksmith's shop, and a post office, with a daily mail service. The nearest railway stations are Kirwee and Norwood.' [quote from the 1903 Cyclopedia of New Zealand]
DescriptionCharing Cross is a lightly populated area near Greendale, now known for farming. It is so-named as it is positioned at a junction of seven roads: it is thought to be named after Charing Cross in Westminster, London, where six roads meet.The 1903 Cyclopedia of New Zealand stated that 'relics of Māori habitation' were frequently found in Charing Cross at that time, which aligns with the network of trails across Waitaha (the Canterbury Plains) used by Ngāi Tahu to connect settlements and mahika kai sites (places where food is grown, prepared and harvested). These gave way to private ownership and pasture following the signing of Kemp's Deed in 1848, where Ngāi Tahu were pressured to sell their land to the Crown for colonial settlement.
'The earliest European settlers were Messrs Riordan and Shipley, who arrived in the district about 1879, and were soon followed by others. Charing Cross was originally covered with wild tussocks, but is now dotted with well-ordered farms, and numerous intersecting roads. The district is devoted chiefly to sheep grazing and grain growing, and contains many extensive and well managed estates. It possesses a public school [which opened in 1886], a blacksmith's shop, and a post office, with a daily mail service. The nearest railway stations are Kirwee and Norwood.' [quote from the 1903 Cyclopedia of New Zealand]
Image
Connections
ImageCharing Cross School Golden Jubilee, 1936Loss of Ngāi Tahu mahika kai through Kemp's DeedCharing Cross School Golden Jubilee, 1936Charing Cross School Golden Jubilee, 1936More InformationA description of Charing Cross in the 1903 Cyclopedia of New ZealandSee the image of the convergence of seven roads at Charing Cross on Te Ara website
Loss of Ngāi Tahu mahika kai through Kemp's DeedCharing Cross School Golden Jubilee, 1936Charing Cross School Golden Jubilee, 1936More InformationA description of Charing Cross in the 1903 Cyclopedia of New ZealandSee the image of the convergence of seven roads at Charing Cross on Te Ara websiteCharing Cross. Selwyn Stories, accessed 19/04/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6934
