Temuka

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Coordinates: 44°14′35.02″S, 171°16′38.12″E

Temuka and the Opihi River. The photo was taken from an Air New Zealand ATR-72 flight from Christchurch to Invercargill
Temuka and the Opihi River. The photo was taken from an Air New Zealand ATR-72 flight from Christchurch to Invercargill

Temuka is a town on New Zealand's Canterbury Plains, 15 kilometres north of Timaru and 142 km south of Christchurch. It is located at the centre of a rich sheep and dairy farming region, for which it is a service town.

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[edit] History

At one time it supported wool scouring plants, it had a flour mill and manufactured electric power transmission insulators. The name Te umu kaha (original spelling) means long-lasting ovens, from the earth ovens that Māori people used to cook the plentifully-growing cabbage trees.

[edit] Local Council

Temuka previously had its own council system in place, but since then has been under the administration of TDC, Timaru District Council. TDC has started pouring some money back into Temuka, in the form of walkways, footpaths, new roads etc.

[edit] Population & Demographics

With a population of 3981 people, it is one of the larger towns in South Canterbury [1]. Temuka is home to three schools, two primary schools and one secondary school. Temuka is accessed by New Zealand's State Highway Number 1 and the railway allowing for major cargo handling. Temuka is north of the Opihi and Temuka rivers. The local secondary school, Opihi College, takes its name from the Opihi river. Both rivers are popular with locals and tourists. Almost all traffic passing north or south goes through or around Temuka. Temuka has recently had the redevelopment of the local Domain by incorporating a skate park to join the other facilities which include a swimming pool, mini golf, golf, netball, outdoor bowls and tennis. Also here are rugby and soccer fields, a stadium complex and a popular Holiday Park. For the three local schools, Temuka has transportation for the children that attend, that run daily.

[edit] Fonterra

Fonterra is the local milk proccessing plant, The largest in New Zealand which employs local Temuka people, in the order of hundreds. Fonterra proccesses the milk product, which is picked up from farms all over the south island, and makes it into dairy products to be sent around the world. The amount of Fonterra milk tankers traveling though a local 'one way bridge' prompted the installation of a diverse traffic light system, to help cope with the increased load. Fonterra is owned by the farms that provide milk for it, shareholders.


[edit] Business

Temuka is home to a very large trucking company, Temuka Transport. This company is hired throughout South Canterbury and has about 40 trucks which are used to service the South Canterbury area. Temuka is also home to Temuka Homeware. This company produces ceramic crockery. Currently, the older and traditional items are undergoing an increase of demand from collectors and the accompanying industry. Temuka has local supermarkets and shops which service the local people and the surronding community. Businesses operating within Temuka: New World, Nite 'n Day, BP, Shell, GAS Services, Chinesse Takeouts, Main Street Fish Supply, Numerous Cafee's, Art Studio's, $2 Shop, Numerous 'Corner Shops, Video Shops, Second Hard Army Shops, etc...

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Timaru District Council (2008). Timaru District Council. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.