Population 6,429 (2006) South Lyall Bay Southwest Lyall Bay Northeast Rongotai | East Rongotai Southeast Rongotai Northwest Hataitai | |
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Kilbirnie (from Scottish Gaelic: Cille Bhraonaidh), a suburb of Wellington in New Zealand, lies 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) to the south-east of the city centre. Travellers can reach Kilbirnie from the Wellington central business district either via the Mount Victoria Tunnel and Hataitai; over Mount Victoria; or around the coast. Kilbirnie sits on the eastern flank of the ridge which becomes Mount Victoria and on the flat of the Rongotai isthmus between Evans Bay to the north (part of Port Nicholson) and Lyall Bay to the south (on Cook Strait). No clear boundaries separate Kilbirnie from its neighbouring suburbs, with the exception of the town belt to the west which separates Kilbirnie from Newtown. As a result, Rongotai and Evans Bay are sometimes regarded as part of Kilbirnie.
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Map of Kilbirnie, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Etymology
Kilbirnie takes its name after the town of Kilbirnie in Scotland. It was named by Coutts Crawford, who initially owned the land. Two streets in the area are named for him.
Activities
The suburb features a shopping area, the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, the ASB Sports Centre, a recreation centre, a public library, and a sports field Kilbirnie Park.
Kilbirnie hosts the only mosque in Wellington City. In addition, there is also a Hindu temple located in Kilbirnie, which serves as the headquarters for the Wellington Indian Association.
The majority of the population live in single-storey dwellings, but with a growing population, a strong business centre, and close proximity to the airport and to the city centre, the suburb also has a few hotels and apartment buildings, such as the Brentwood Hotel, 747 Motel and Rongotai Apartments. The 2006 Census revealed a permanent population of 6,429.
Sport
Kilbirnie Park is home to: Poneke Football Club, Poneke Kilbirnie Softball Club, Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club and Marist Association Football Club. Additionally, Kilbirnie Tennis Club and Kilbirnie Bowling Club are also located there.
The opening of the ASB Sports Center in 2011 was an important boost to the suburb. Its creation solidified Kilbirnies status as the most essential suburb in Wellington for sports and recreation, making Kilbirnie a likely destination for anybody wishing to play casual / competitively.
Schools
Evans Bay Intermediate School is partially in Kilbirnie, however Kilbirnie School is in an area generally considered to be part of the neighbouring suburb of Hataitai. Kilbirnie is also home to three Catholic schools: St. Catherine's College (for girls), St. Patrick's College (for boys) and St. Patrick's Primary School.