Stokes Valley

Suburb:	Stokes Valley
City:	Lower Hutt
Island:	North Island
Surrounded by:	Bush
to the north	Haywards Hill
to the east	Silverstream
to the south	Wellington City
to the west	Taita

Stokes Valley is a major suburb of Lower Hutt, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the northeastern edge of the city seven kilometres northeast of the city centre, in the valley of a small tributary of the Hutt River, which flows north to meet the main river close to the Taita Gorge.

As the suburb is in its own valley, separated from the main part of the city by a forested area, its cultural identity differs slightly from the rest of Lower Hutt.

Formed during the ice age 10,000 - 20,000 years ago by glacial scouring. First surveyed around 1840, the uninhabited valley was named after Robert Stokes, one of six in the surveying party. Mr Hart Udy set up a saw mill at the valley mouth in 1858. This was followed by gradual settlement over the years.

In 1927 a toll bridge was erected across the Hutt River to service the valley but was destroyed by flood in 1932 and replaced by a foot bridge that was later deemed unsafe. Before 1940 the upper valley was heavily populated with holiday bach's and enjoyed a resort status. During the Second World War the United States Marine Corps established base near the bottom of the valley.

Modern Stokes Valley

Now Stokes Valley has a population of 10,000 (approx.) and a good safe community outlook, boasting the highest average yearly temperature in the Wellington district. Exquisite housing and delightful gardens are nestled in and around this very welcoming sheltered valley, sounded by beautiful bush clad scenic and recreational hills which abound with bird life. Unfortunately parts of the valley suburb became gang infested, this however is changing due to many first home owners and families moving into these areas due to recent increases in Lower Hutt house and rental prices.

The climate and tranquil setting offer the residents of the Stokes Valley unique outdoor living, with excellent roads, shops, and schools with a close proximity to all main centres. This gives Stokes Valley a city advantage with a rural community feeling.

For a full listing of community organisations, medical services, schools and businesses in Stokes Valley go to http://www.svn.co.nz, or the new and improved neighbourhood network at http://www.stokesvalley.net