Aranui

Etymology

Aranui is a Māori word, with ara meaning path and nui meaning great.

History

Part of the area was previously called Flemington, named after the hairdresser and tobacconist Jubal Fleming (c.1844–1903). Fleming had a subdivision at the corner of Breezes and Pages Roads, and the tram stop on Breezes Road was informally called Flemington. The post office was established in 1912 and it was named Aranui by George Kyngdon Burton (c.1859–1957), with that name then applied to the wider area.

Mabel Howard, New Zealand's first woman cabinet minister, was once a resident in the area.

Geography

Aranui is one of the eastern suburbs. Its eastern boundary is the Avon River. Boundary roads are Pages Road in the south, Breezes Road in the west, and Wainoni Road in the north. Bexley is located to the south of Pages Road. Aranui and its neighbouring suburb of Wainoni are often considered together. For example, Wainoni School and Wainoni Park are located in Aranui, and Aranui High School is located in Wainoni. Christchurch City Council publishes a combined community profile for the two suburbs.

Education

Aranui School is a primary school located on Breezes Road. St James School is a primary school located on Rowan Avenue. Wainoni School is a primary school located on Eureka Street. Aranui School, Avondale School in the adjacent suburb of Avondale, Wainoni School and Aranui High School will merge to become a Year 1–13 composite school on the Aranui High site in January 2017.