History
Suggested Activities
Information While not all New Zealanders have visited Temuka, most will have a little piece of the town in their kitchens! This busy service town is home to Temuka Homeware, potteries that have become synonymous with oven to table products and there’s always an extensive range of these on sale at their centrally located showroom. Temuka’s early European settlers showed great foresight in planning an extensive collection of trees in the town’s domain, creating a green and tranquil haven for campers, sportspeople, travellers and locals. The Temuka district is blessed with several rivers that also provide plentiful opportunities for recreation, from a quiet picnic on the banks to swimming, fishing and that unique New Zealand occupation of whitebaiting. Head inland towards the rolling foothills of the Southern Alps and you reach the district of Waitohi that holds a unique claim to fame. This was the home of pioneer aviator and inventor Richard Pearse. Pearse, some say, became airborne under power early in 1903 before the Wright Brothers. Debate has raged about this for decades – visitors can stop at the monument marking the spot of the event, study the replica of his aircraft and make up their own minds!
We suggest you... - Back to Top
picnic at a picturesque swimming hole
go for a mountain bike ride
fish for trout or salmon in one of the fish-filled rivers
enjoy a meal at a sidewalk cafe
pick up a bargain at the Temuka Homeware Shop
visit the Richard Pearse Monument
enjoy a recreational game of golf or tennis
take a horse ride on the beach followed by an authentic kiwi barbeque
A brief look at Temuka's history - Back to Top Originally covered with rich native forest, the Temuka area was first settled in 1853, by William Hornbrook. Hornbrook settled the run Arowhenua, named after the forest on the south bank of the river. A year later his wife joined him and was the first European woman to reach South Canterbury. Initially it was thought the land between the two local rivers was the place for a settlement. In fact the Rhodes brothers of Timaru bought and subdivided 25 acres here in 1859. But floods destroyed any idea of completing the project. Meanwhile surveyor Samuel Hewlings had also subdivided on the north side of the Temuka River. It was here that the township grew. First called Wallingford after Hewlings birthplace in Berkshire. The town became know as Temuka around 1866. Reconised for the rich and fertile soil, the area soon developed into prosperous farming community. Temuka's first butter factory was opened in 1883. That long standing history, as a centre of the local dairy industry continues today. Although the rivers that helped farming in the area with irrigation, would also flood regularly. Today they are controlled, offering some of the best fishing around, and help keep Temuka known as a sporting paradise.
Information Centre - Back to Top Let the friendly team at the Temuka Information Centre help you. Located: 72-74 King Street, Temuka Phone: +64 3 615 9537 Fax: +64 3 615 9538 Email: temlibrary@xtra.co.nz |
