Methven is a place where community values thrive, Kiwi culture is embraced and where industry and environment work in harmony. We love our spectacular back yard and take care to protect it for future generations to enjoy....
CULTURE
Our lifestyle is jammed packed with family, friends, sport and adventure! You can be out enjoying your alpine playground one minute, and dining in one of our top notch restaurants, cafes or bars the next....
LIFESTYLE
QUICK FACTS
Methven has a permanent population of around 1800 and its growth is the fastest in the District. The economic base stems from the agricultural sector with the support of tourism during winter...
With the Rangitata to the south, the mighty Rakaia to the north and majestic Southern Alps right on our back door step, Methven's playground is pretty special...
OUR PLAYGROUND
Welcome to Methven
Throughout the year, Methven operates as a rural service town but undergoes a stark transformation in winter when it comes alive as the central hub for the surrounding ski fields. In addition to skiing, other popular attractions including tramping, jet boating and many other outdoor activities such as the local school’s outdoor pursuits classes ensure Methven is a buzz of activity all year round.
There are three churches, a state school, several hotels, and two large general stores in the in the village. Although the district is sometimes visited by heavy nor'-westers, it is compensated by the extra rainfall with which it is favoured through the northerly winds, from the adjacent mountains.
Methven is famous for Rajah, known as Methven's Wonder Dog, was New Zealand's first police dog. He lived here in the 1930s and earned fame throughout the country for his acting performances as well as his talents working for the police, solving quite a number of crimes. A gorgeous bronze statue of Rajah was unveiled on February 8, 2010 and is positioned prominently in the village centre.
Methven is renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, warm hospitality and abundance of outdoor activities on your doorstep…we call this 'our playground’.
Maybe we will see you soon!
Methven (otherwise called Piwakawaka in Maori), is a rural village in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located near the western edge of the Canterbury Plains, just 35 kilometres north of Ashburton and 94 km south-west of Christchurch.
Methven was founded in 1869 by Mr Robert Patton, who purchased land and named it Methven after his hometown of Methven in Scotland. Between 1880 and 1976 it was the terminus of a branch railway from Rakaia and remnants of the original line are still visible today. The population of Methven village is now approximately 1,800 with the greater Methven area being a little over 4,000.
