Hampden, New Zealand

Hampden
Rural settlement
The beach at Hampden looking south
Coordinates: 45°19′40″S 170°49′00″E / 45.32778°S 170.81667°E / -45.32778; 170.81667
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityWaitaki District
WardWaihemo Ward
CommunityWaihemo Community
Electorates
Government
  Territorial authorityWaitaki District Council
  Regional councilOtago Regional Council
  Mayor of WaitakiGary Kircher
  Waitaki MPMiles Anderson
  Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
  Total
2.56 km2 (0.99 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)
  Total
410
  Density160/km2 (410/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (New Zealand Standard Time)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Postcode
9410

Hampden, a small town in North Otago, New Zealand, lies close to the North Otago coast, 35 kilometres south of Oamaru and 80 kilometres north of the city of Dunedin, to both of which it is connected by State Highway 1.

The township's population at its largest was about 560, but by 2009 it had dwindled to approximately 230. Hampden is named in honour of the English politician John Hampden by early surveyor W. B. D. Mantell, possibly influenced by the location of a public house, The Hampden Hotel, at the site.