Hornby, New Zealand

During the early stages of European settlement, Hornby was originally referred to as Southbridge Junction – with the junction acting as the start of the main road south.[3]

Due to rising confusion with the nearby town of Southbridge, a decision was made to rename the area to Hornby in 1878, although the origins of this name are unclear. One explanation holds that the suburb was named after Hornby-with-Farleton in Lancashire by Frederick William Delamain, who came to Christchurch from England in 1852.[4] Delamain owned a nearby homestead, which gave its name to the nearby suburb of Yaldhurst, and was a prominent figure in the area during the latter half of the 19th century.[3] Another version suggests that the name refers to Geoffrey Hornby, who was the Admiral of the British flying squadron and who visited Christchurch in 1870, just prior to the suburb being renamed on 2 September 1878.[5]

In 1922, the suburb was chosen by Kempthorne Prosser to be the location for a new super-phosphate plant, used to develop fertiliser. The plant was the company's first in Christchurch and third overall, developed in response to an 1881 incentive from the New Zealand government to facilitate the construction of a local fertiliser industry.[6] This fertiliser plant remains in operation, and is now run by Ravensdown limited, which bought Kempthorne Prosser in 1978. The plant was the location of a large fire in 2018, which prompted nearby evacuations in fear of an explosion and caused thick black smoke to be visible across the region.[7]

Prior to the development of adjacent suburbs such as Wigram, Hornby's isolation from the rest of Christchurch as a result of Wigram Aerodrome and the industrial estates of Sockburn led to it occasionally being considered a town in its own right, however officially it has always been a suburb of Christchurch. Hornby is home to a velodrome and a BMX track. In the past, it has been the location for "Westside Party in the Park", a free Christmas concert.[8]

Hornby contains two large retail malls, located either side of State Highway 1 to the west of the main junction.

The Hub Hornby opened in 1976.[9] It has a lettable area of 4,000 m².[10] It has 750 carparks and 62 tenants, including Pak'nSave and Farmers.[9]

Outlet mall Dress Smart Christchurch opened to the south in 1999.[11] Following an expansion in 2005, it covers 7,117 m², with 53 stores and 347 carparks.[12]