Maniototo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maniototo Plain, usually simply known as The Maniototo, is an elevated inland region in Otago, New Zealand. The region roughly surrounds the upper reaches of the Taieri River and the Manuherikia River, and is bounded by the Kakanui Range to the north and the Rock and Pillar Range to the southeast. The area has a harsh, dry climate, ranging from over 30°C in mid-summer to -15°C in mid-winter.
The region is sparsely populated, with the largest population centres being Ranfurly, Naseby, and Omakau.
The land surrounding the plain is hilly, with many outcrops of rock which also break the plain up in places. The scenery between Omakau and Ranfurly will be familiar to anyone who has seen Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy as the location for many of the scenes set in Rohan.
During the 1860s the region was one of the sites of the Central Otago goldrush, and relics from that era can still be seen around the towns of Kyeburn, Naseby, and St. Bathans.
Sheep farming is the major source of income. The area is closely associated with the sport of curling.
