91-648: Mataura is a town in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand. Mataura has a meat processing plant, and until 2000 it was the site of a large pulp and paper mill . Mataura is situated on State Highway 1 and the Main South Line railway , on the eastern fringe of the Southland Plain 13 kilometres south west of Gore and 53 kilometres north east of Invercargill . On
182-590: A schism between the Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland . In 1852, James Menzies , leader of the Southland separatist movement, became the first Superintendent of the tiny Southland electorate which was still part of the large Otago region. Under the influence of Menzies, Southland Province (a small part of the present Region, centred on Invercargill ) seceded from Otago in 1861 following
273-592: A "Māori house" had to be built in 1881 to accommodate them when they travelled from Ruapuke and Stewart Island to Bluff to sell produce. On 10 June 1840, Tūhawaiki , a paramount chief of Kāi Tahu, signed the Treaty of Waitangi aboard HMS Herald at Ruapuke. Aware that this treaty did not guarantee him sovereignty over his land he had previously asserted that he would sign it if those bringing it to him would sign one he had prepared himself. In 1853, Walter Mantell purchased Murihiku from local Māori iwi, claiming
364-571: A fire that came within 30 metres of the ouvea premix. The New Zealand government and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters shared the cost of removing this toxic waste, which was completed by July 2021. Mataura Marae began being built in Mataura in the 1980s. Work resumed in 2017, including converting an old dairy factory into a wharekai (dining hall). The carvings on the wharenui (meeting house) were carried out by Te Puia in Rotorua . In October 2020,
455-426: A loan to finance the expansion of the generation capacity and the installation of a distribution system around the town the first power began being supplied from 5 October 1912. Mataura retained its own independent power system until 1932 when due to technical issues it became impossible for the freezing works to continue supplying the town. As a result, the borough council accepted an offer to sell their power system to
546-681: A major geological fold system, the Southland Syncline , which extends from the coast northwestward, and include the Hokonui Hills above Gore. Off the coast of Southland lies the Great South Basin which stretches over 500,000 square kilometres (190,000 sq mi)—an area 1.5 times New Zealand's land mass). It is one of the country's largest undeveloped offshore petroleum basins with prospects for both oil and gas . Weather conditions in Southland are cooler than
637-584: A new company called the New Zealand Paper Mills. By 1905 the mill had three bag-making machines, and two machines for printing the bags. In 1913 the mill was badly damaged by a major flood, which took a month to repair. In 1923 a second paper making machine designated No.3 was transferred from the Riverhead mill (which was subsequently closed) to join the No.2 machine, which up till then had been
728-866: A newly established Town Board took over local government administration of the town's affairs and representation of the town's 70 ratepayers. The town's affairs remained under the administration of the Town Board until 1895 when it changed to the Mataura Borough Council. In 1989 the Mataura Borough Council was merged into the Gore District Council. Mataura School serves years 1 to 6 with a roll of 90 as of August 2024. It opened in 1878. Children of intermediate and secondary school age are bussed to Gore to continue their education there. The town's swimming pool opened in 1956 and closed in 2017. Because it had surplus generation capacity
819-515: A population of 103,900, making it the eleventh-most-populous New Zealand region, and the second-most sparsely populated. Approximately half of the region's population lives in Invercargill , Southland's only city. The earliest inhabitants of Southland were Māori of the Waitaha iwi , followed later by Kāti Māmoe and Kāi Tahu . Early European arrivals were sealers and whalers , and by
910-497: A race to improve the water supply to their respective hydro generators. In 1892 the mills became profitable, and by 1895 the paper mill was employing 54 staff. Thomas Culling eventually purchased the interests of four of the partners leaving him owner in partnership with J. L. Gregory. In late 1904 as a means of ending an unprofitable price war between Mataura Falls Paper Mill, Otago Paper Mills at Woodhaugh near Dunedin and Riverhead Paper Mills at Auckland these companies amalgamated into
1001-711: A regular occurrence in the region. Summers are temperable with downpours and cold snaps not being uncommon. On 7 January 2010, Invercargill was hit by a hail storm with temperatures plummeting rapidly from 15 °C to 8 °C in the afternoon. Occasionally, temperatures exceed 25 °C with an extreme temperature of 33.8 °C having been reached before in Invercargill in 1948 and 35.0 °C in Winton in 2018. Winters are colder and more severe than other regions, although not by much. The mean maximum temperature in July
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#17327794862831092-469: A replacement bridge of the suspension type, which was opened on 27 August 1868. Crossing the gorge downstream of the falls it was a more substantial timber structure with 16 supporting cables passing over stone pillars before being anchored in rock. A footbridge was added in 1898. In response to the commencement on construction on the new bridge James Pollack built the Bridge Hotel on the east bank of
1183-405: A result of concerns expressed by local citizens about the proposed new paper mill's proposal to secure sole rights to harnessing all the electrical potential of the falls, the paper mill's proprietors obtained the goodwill of the citizens by building a flour mill on the west bank. The three grinding stones in the mill were driven by a water wheel. The flour mill was demolished in 1893 to make room for
1274-480: A rolling 'r'. Food-wise, cheese rolls are a Southland specialty and swedes are a popular vegetable, prepared and eaten as are pumpkin and kumara (sweet potato) elsewhere in New Zealand. For many years a television channel, known as Southland TV from 2003–07, later Cue TV , transmitted Southland content. The strength of Southland identity may owe something to the relatively high proportion of New Zealand-born in
1365-474: A significant proportion of the region's revenue and export receipts. Much of this farming is on the Southland Plains , with expansion into the more remote western regions since the 1950s and 1960s. Southland also has the world's largest raw milk-processing plant at the town of Edendale which was established by Fonterra . In the 2019-20 season, there were 591,600 milking cows in Southland, 12.0% of
1456-545: A steam engine powered by local lignite. It was not until 1917 that the factory converted to electric power from the local distribution network. By the early 1970s the company was in financial trouble and closed in May 1980, when dairy processing in the area was concentrated at the Edendale Dairy Factory. In the mid-1870s a company led by James Bain was formed in Invercargill to establish a pulp and paper mill on
1547-551: A time and its light construction had become inadequate for the increasing traffic and heavy loads. As a result, a new bridge was constructed by the Ministry of Works immediately upstream of the suspension bridge (which was subsequently demolished) and opened in July 1939 by Bob Semple , the Minister of Works. It was a single span bow-arch reinforced concrete 53.8 metres (176 ft 6 inches) in length. Aluminium dross from
1638-476: Is 9.5 °C and Southland's lowest recorded temperature was −18 °C in July 1946. Snow and frost also frequently occur in inland areas but are less common and extreme in coastal areas where the oceans act as a moderating factor. The long-lasting cool and wet conditions are influenced by the presence of a stationary low-pressure zone to the southeast of the country. Fiordland has a wet mountain climate though conditions vary due to altitude and exposure. Rainfall
1729-535: Is divided into two parliamentary electorates . The large rural electorate of Southland , held by Joseph Mooney of the New Zealand National Party , also includes some of the neighbouring Otago Region. The seat of Invercargill is held by Penny Simmonds of the New Zealand National Party . Under the Māori electorates system, Southland is part of the large Te Tai Tonga electorate which covers
1820-459: Is home to two national parks: Fiordland National Park and Rakiura National Park . The former which covers 7,860 square kilometres; making it New Zealand's largest national park . Southland also includes Stewart Island, 85% of which is covered by Rakiura National Park . Both parks are administrated by the Department of Conservation . Politically, Southland proper extends from Fiordland in
1911-757: Is in Antrim House , Wellington , while regional and area offices are in Kerikeri , Auckland , Tauranga , Wellington , Christchurch and Dunedin . It publishes the quarterly magazine Heritage New Zealand . Buildings owned by Heritage New Zealand include the Kerikeri Mission House , the Stone Store , Hurworth Cottage , and the Te Waimate Mission house. The New Zealand Heritage List / Rārangi Kōrero (formerly known as
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#17327794862832002-549: Is part of the Darran mountains. The largest lake in Southland is Lake Te Anau followed by Lake Manapouri which both lie within the boundaries of Fiordland National Park . Established on 20 February 1905, it is the largest national park in New Zealand—covering much of Fiordland which is devoid of human settlement. Fiordland's terrain is dominated by mountains, fiords and glacial lakes carved up by glaciations during
2093-556: Is the country's second-most sparsely populated region (after the West Coast ), with 3.40 people per square kilometre (8.80 per square mile). Southland Region had a population of 100,143 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 2,676 people (2.7%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 6,801 people (7.3%) since the 2013 census . There were 50,115 males, 49,704 females and 321 people of other genders in 41,070 dwellings. 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age
2184-515: Is the highest in the country and varies between 6,500 and 7,500 mm annually. The farthest coastal reaches of Fiordland are characterized by a limited temperature range with increasing rainfall at higher altitudes. The moist wet climate is influenced by approaching low-pressure systems which sweep across the country entering Fiordland. Southland Region covers 31,218.95 km (12,053.70 sq mi). It has an estimated population of 106,100 as of June 2024, 2.0% of New Zealand's population. It
2275-538: The 2006 census . There were 660 households, comprising 813 males and 816 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 39.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 348 people (21.4%) aged under 15 years, 300 (18.4%) aged 15 to 29, 723 (44.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 258 (15.8%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 75.5% European/ Pākehā , 31.5% Māori , 2.8% Pasifika , 2.2% Asian , and 1.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
2366-703: The National Historic Places Trust and then, from 1963 to 2014, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust ; in Māori : Pouhere Taonga ) is a Crown entity that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand . It was set up through the Historic Places Act 1954 with a mission to "...promote the identification, protection, preservation and conservation of
2457-617: The Ngāti Tama tribe and an ally and distant relative of Te Rauparaha attacked and occupied the village which was later retaken by the local Ngāi Tahu under the leadership of Hone Tūhawaiki (paramount chief of the Ngāi Tahu) and Te Matenga Taiaroa who had been at the Bluff when news of the war party's presence in the Southland came. In 1854 the Murihiku block of land (which included Mataura)
2548-583: The Southland District , which is administered by its own Council, also based in Invercargill. The Gore District Council administers the Gore township and its rural hinterland. In 2001, the three authorities (Invercargill City, Southland District and Gore District Councils) created the joint initiative agency Venture Southland which is the agency responsible for the region's economic and community development initiatives and tourism promotion. The region
2639-591: The Southland Plains predominate which include some of New Zealand's most fertile farmlands. The region's two principal settlements Invercargill and Gore are located on the plains. The plains extend from the Waiau River in the west to the Mataura River to the east. It can be divided into three broad areas: the Southland plain proper, the Waimea Plains and the lower Waiau plain to the west near
2730-647: The Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter was stored at the paper mill in Matuara from 2015 until 2021. It was moved into the disused paper mill without resource consent by a now defunct company. The 8000 tonnes of aluminium dross, also known as ouvea premix, if mixed with water would have released clouds of ammonia gas. The paper mill site could potentially be flooded by the Mataura river. There were concerns in August 2020 when firefighters had to put out
2821-513: The 1830s, Kāi Tahu had built a thriving industry supplying whaling vessels, looked after whalers and settlers in need, and had begun to integrate with the settlers. By the second half of the 19th century these industries had declined, and immigrants, predominantly Scottish settlers , had moved further inland. The region maintains a strong cultural identity, including its own distinct dialect of English and strong influences from its Māori and Scottish heritage. Southland extends from Fiordland in
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2912-575: The 21st century the Asian-origin population of Southland increased owing to the recruitment of dairy workers, many of them from the Philippines. In 2013 the population of Asian origin accounted for 3.2% of the Southland total. The West Coast aside, Southland has New Zealand's strongest regional identity. It is the only part of New Zealand which has a distinct regional accent (shared with most rural parts of Otago), characterized in particular by
3003-592: The Government committed $ 294,009 from the Provincial Growth Fund towards funding the marae development trust, creating 17 jobs. Mataura covers 5.32 km (2.05 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,770 as of June 2024, with a population density of 333 people per km. Mataura had a population of 1,629 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 120 people (8.0%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 69 people (4.4%) since
3094-664: The Mataura Falls which is known by local Māori as Te Aunui (the great current). The land rises to the Hokonui Hills 13 km to the north-west, while to the east is a series of hills. While there was no permanent Maori settlement in the present day location of Mataura prior to the arrival of European settlers, the location was well known to local Maori for the harvest of lamprey (which they called 'kana kana') in October of each year as they made their annual passage up
3185-560: The Mataura Paper Mill helped the town evolve and develop into the major industrial centre in Eastern Southland. The 1921 railway station has been listed NZHPT Category II since 1996. It is a standard class B station , of weatherboard and slate. In 2021 a feasibility study was started to consider moving the building to a new site. By the 1930s the narrowness of the bridge which restricted travel to one direction at
3276-695: The Register) is divided into five main areas: The historic places are organised in two categories: As of 2014 , the register contains over 5,600 entries. The Canterbury earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011 resulted in damage to a number of historic buildings in Christchurch. Post-earthquake redevelopment has caused a significant loss of heritage buildings in Christchurch . The Māori Heritage Council (MHC) sits within Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and
3367-494: The Southland Electric Power Board, which took over responsibility for supplying the town from its distribution network. In January 1887 a company was formed to construct and operate a dairy factory. After procuring land a factory was constructed and up and running by November of that year. Water for use in the milk and cheese making processes was obtained from a private spring while power was provide by
3458-755: The Tuturau Run and the Shanks family who owned the Marairua Run. The loss of the bridge meant that travellers reverted to using the ferry which had been established north of the falls. In 1866 James Pollack won the tender for the lease of the Mataura Ferry Hotel and offered to build a replacement bridge in return for the right to charge tolls for 12 years. His offer was declined by the Otago Provincial Government who built
3549-626: The Waiau river. The southern part of these plains (including the Awarua Plains along the coast east of Bluff ) contains much wetland and swamp. In the far southeast of Southland rises the rough hill country of the Catlins . This area is divided between Southland and the neighbouring Otago region, with the largest settlement, Owaka , being within Otago. The hills of the Catlins form part of
3640-475: The board was defined in the legislation and the board was appointed on the recommendation of the minister. The name of the organisation was changed to New Zealand Historic Places Trust in 1963. Early work undertaken by the trust included the recording of Māori rock paintings , as some sites were to be submerged, e.g. through the Waipapa Dam and Benmore Dam . In 1961, the trust bought Te Waimate mission ,
3731-407: The bridge the council also built the Mataura Ferry Hotel on the west bank of the river. This was leased to John MacGibbon who with his family were the first inhabitants of the settlement and as part of his 7-year lease had the right to charge a toll on anyone crossing the river within a mile below and above the falls. At the time the only other Europeans living in the area were John Turnbull who owned
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3822-423: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 10,104 (12.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 45,333 (55.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 22,866 (28.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 41,100, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 6,549 people (8.1%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
3913-652: The centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The purchase of Pompallier House in 1943 by the government further raised the issue of how historic buildings should be cared for. Duncan Rae , the MP representing the Parnell electorate, suggested that a heritage organisation should be set up and put in a private member's bill . Whilst this did not proceed, the First National Government (of which he
4004-470: The coastline was a scene of early extended contact between Māori and Europeans, in this case sealers, whalers and missionaries such as Wohlers at Ruapuke Island . Contact was established as early as 1813. By the 1830s, Kāi Tahu had built a thriving industry supplying whaling vessels, looked after whalers and settlers in need, and had begun to integrate with the settlers. Throughout the nineteenth century local Māori continued such regular travel from trade that
4095-483: The country's total herd. The cows produced 247,230 tonnes of milk solids, worth $ 1,780 million at the national average farmgate price ($ 7.20 per kg). Other sizeable industries in Southland include coal and hydroelectric power. Eastern Southland has significant deposits of lignite which are considered to be New Zealand's biggest fossil fuel energy resource. Solid Energy operated open cast lignite mines at Newvale and Ohai until its 2015 bankruptcy. Southland hosts
4186-412: The east bank of the river downstream of the Mataura falls. To assist them the Government granted the company freehold of land on both sides of the river at the falls, as well as all water rights, which would allow the head to be utilised to provide cheap power to the paper making machinery. The company however installed obsolete second hand machinery, which lead to the mill being unprofitable. In 1884 it
4277-549: The entire South Island and the surrounding islands, and is currently held by Tākuta Ferris of Te Pāti Māori . Regional responsibilities are handled by the Southland Regional Council (Environment Southland). Three territorial authorities fall entirely within Southland. The Invercargill City Council governs Invercargill itself, together with some adjoining rural areas. Much of the remaining area of Southland, including all of Stewart Island , falls within
4368-524: The escalation of political tensions. However, rising debt forced Southland to rejoin Otago in 1870, and the province was abolished entirely when the Abolition of the Provinces Act came into force on 1 November 1876. In the 1880s, the development of an export industry based on butter and cheese encouraged the growth of dairy farming in Southland. Consequently, the colony's first dairy factory
4459-558: The falls. The closest Maori settlement was the kaik (unfortified village) of Tūtūrau, which was located near the east bank of the Mataura River 3.2 km (2.0 mi) downstream from the present town. In 1836 this village was the scene of the last act of Maori warfare in the South Island. A war party of approximately 70 members of the Ngāti Tama and Te Āti Awa tribes under the command of Te Pūoho-o-te-rangi , chief of
4550-484: The falls. By 1856 the Otago Provincial Council had recognised that if development was to succeed a ferry had to be established at the falls to enable a direct overland transport between Dunedin and Invercargill. At the time the only alternative route was going by sea along the dangerous southern coast. In 1859 the Otago Provincial Government built a wooden truss bridge which rested on a large rock in
4641-471: The freezing works had since 1905 been supplying electricity to the nearby town of Gore, while due to the town's financial situation Mataura residents were still using candles and kerosene powered lamps. It wasn't until 1911 the Borough Council was able to reach agreement with the freezing works for them to increase their generating capacity so that they could supply the Mataura load. After taking out
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#17327794862834732-502: The freezing works. The Southland Frozen Meat And Produce Export Company (which had been established in 1882) purchased land on the west bank of the river from Thomas Culling (the principal of the Mataura Paper Mills) upon which they built and opened the second freezing ( meat processing ) works in Southland. At the time eastern Southland sheep farmers tended to send their livestock by rail to Dunedin for slaughtering and it
4823-679: The historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand" and is an autonomous Crown entity. Its current enabling legislation is the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014. Charles Bathurst, 1st Viscount Bledisloe gifted the site where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed to the nation in 1932. The subsequent administration through the Waitangi Trust is sometimes seen as the beginning of formal heritage protection in New Zealand. Public discussion about heritage protection occurred in 1940 in conjunction with
4914-600: The land for European settlement. Part of the agreement was that schools and hospitals would be provided alongside each Kāi Tahu village; this promise was not fulfilled. The boundaries of the land sold were also not made sufficiently clear, with Kāi Tahu always maintaining that Fiordland was not intended to be included in this purchase. Over successive decades, present-day Southland and Otago were settled by large numbers of Scottish settlers. Immigration to New Zealand had been precipitated by an economic depression in Scotland and
5005-517: The last ice age, between 75,000 and 15,000 years ago. The region's coast is dotted by several fiords and other sea inlets which stretch from Milford Sound in the north to Preservation Inlet to the south. Farther north and east in Fiordland lie the Darran and Eyre Mountains which are part of the block of schist that extends into neighbouring Central Otago . Farther east of the Waiau River ,
5096-444: The local grid. By the late 20th century the mill was coming under intense pressure from Asian competitors which had depressed the world price for paper, and as a result the mill was losing NZ$ 1 million a year. Faced with these losses and forecasts that they would continue, and with the mill contributing only 3% of Carter Harvey Holt output by volume, the company closed the mill on 18 August 2000 with 155 staff being made redundant. As
5187-430: The middle of the falls and was suitable only for foot traffic with large animals and vehicles restricted to crossing on the ferry. As the bridge was always wet and slippery with spray from the falls, the face of the falls was removed by dynamite which moved the falls upstream. This work which damaged the look of the falls was in vain as the bridge was totally destroyed by a major flood on 22 April 1861. To encourage use of
5278-428: The mill celebrated its centennial year. By 1990 the mill, owned by NZ Forest Products, had become a division of Elder Resources, until it was taken over by Carter Holt Harvey in 1991. Between 1984 and 1991, due to upgrades and efficiency gains, productively had increased by 25% with 216 staff employed at the end of the period. Employees had increased by 1993 to 230 people, of which twenty were women. A four shift system
5369-547: The nation's largest hydroelectric power station at Manapouri which is owned by Meridian Energy and powers the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter . The Manapouri project generated much controversy from environmental groups which initiated the Save Manapouri Campaign in opposition to rising water levels in nearby lakes. Tourism spending is a major factor of the Southland economy, with NZ$ 595 million being spent by visitors in 2016, of which $ 210 million
5460-443: The new legislation, e.g. the branch committees were dispensed with. The legislation, which came into effect on 20 May 2014, also finished the transition from an NGO to a crown entity. It is governed by a board, appointed by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and currently chaired by Hon. Marian Hobbs, and a Māori Heritage Council, currently chaired by Sir John Clarke. Past chairs include Dame Anne Salmond . The head office
5551-415: The north to Preservation Inlet to the south. Farther north and east in Fiordland lie the Darran and Eyre Mountains which are part of the block of schist that extends into neighbouring Central Otago . The region is rich in natural resources, with large reserves of forestry , coal , petroleum and natural gas . The earliest inhabitants of the region—known to Māori as Murihiku ('the last joint of
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#17327794862835642-499: The only machine at the mill. At the same time a new machine designated the No.4 was installed. In 1936 a new paper making machine designated the No.5 machine was installed. In 1960 Fletchers Ltd bought an interest in the company. As a result of their injection of new capital the mill was completely modernised. In 1964 NZ Forest Products took a 30% share in the company with Fletchers having 30%. On 8 July 1970 NZ Forest Products took complete ownership of New Zealand Paper Mills. In 1976
5733-874: The other regions of New Zealand due to its distance from the equator . However, they can be broken down into three types: the temperate oceanic climate of the coastal regions, the semi-continental climate of the interior and the wetter mountain climate of Fiordland to the west. Due to its closer proximity to the South Pole, the Aurora Australis or "Southern Lights" are more commonly seen than in other regions. The coastal regions have mild summers and cool winters. The mean daily temperature varies from 5.2 °C in July to 14.9 °C in January. Rainfall varies from 900 mm to 1300 mm annually with rainfall being more frequent in coastal areas and rainbows being
5824-403: The processing of lamb, sheep, cattle and bobby calves. Due to intensive development and expansion throughout its history, the plant extends for some distance along the bank of the river, sandwiched between it and State Highway 1 . In 1997 Rayonier NZ limited opened on a greenfield site a medium-density fibreboard (MDF) manufacturing plant at Brydone, 8 kilometres south of Mataura. The facility
5915-426: The region – 85% compared with 70% for New Zealand as a whole at the 2013 census. With a population of 51,700 Invercargill , the region's main centre and seat of local government, makes up half of Southland's total. Six other centres have populations over 1,000: Gore , Mataura , Winton , Riverton , Bluff and Te Anau . Most of Southland's population is concentrated on the eastern Southland Plains . Fiordland ,
6006-422: The regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 1.52 billion (25.2%), service industries contributed $ 2.63 billion (43.7%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 516 million (8.6%). The region's economy is based on agriculture, tourism, fishing, forestry and energy resources like coal and hydropower . The agriculture industry includes both sheep and dairy farming which both account for
6097-416: The river by the bridge and sold the Mataura Ferry Hotel. He also petitioned the government to undertake the first survey of the location which subsequently named the area the Town of Mataura Bridge. As a major mail coach stop on the route from Dunedin to Invercargill the bridge soon attracted a number of businessman who set up premises on the east bank around an area called Bridge Square. The construction of
6188-519: The second-oldest building in New Zealand. In Akaroa , the trust enabled the Akaroa County Council via a significant grant to buy the Eteveneaux cottage , which serves as a link to Akaroa's French history. In 2004, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust became an autonomous Crown entity. On 14 April 2014, the organisation's name changed to "Heritage New Zealand". Later that year, the enabling legislation—Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014—was passed. There were changes in governance introduced by
6279-409: The southern side of the town, State Highway 96 diverges from SH 1 and runs westward through nearby communities such as Te Tipua and Waitane , ultimately terminating in Ohai . The town straddles the Mataura River which flows south through the town and is a source of brown trout. On the northern outskirts of the town the river falls over a bed of sandstone 6.1 metres (20 ft) high to create
6370-413: The tail') is New Zealand 's southernmost region . It consists of the southwestern portion of the South Island and includes Stewart Island . Southland is bordered by the culturally similar Otago Region to the north and east, and the West Coast Region in the extreme northwest. The region covers over 3.1 million hectares and spans 3,613 km of coastline. As of June 2023 , Southland has
6461-490: The tail')—were Māori of the Waitaha iwi , followed later by Kāti Māmoe and Kāi Tahu . Waitaha sailed on the Uruao waka, whose captain Rākaihautū named sites and carved out lakes throughout the area. The Takitimu Mountains were formed by the overturned Kāi Tahu waka Tākitimu . Descendants created networks of customary food gathering sites, travelling seasonally as needed, to support permanent and semi-permanent settlements in coastal and inland regions. In later years,
6552-525: The telegraph line between Dunedin and Invercargill which passed through the town lead to the establishment in December 1868 of the first post and telegraph office in the Mataura Valley. This consolidated the settlement's position as a major transportation and communications hub. This in turn led to it attracting more businessmen, and becoming a major service centre. As a result of this growth a school
6643-496: The west past the Mataura River to the Catlins the east. It contains New Zealand's highest waterfall, the Browne Falls , and its deepest lake, Lake Hauroko . Fiordland's terrain is dominated by mountains, fiords and glacial lakes carved up by glaciations during the last ice age , between 75,000 and 15,000 years ago. The region's coast is dotted by several fiords and other sea inlets which stretch from Milford Sound in
6734-520: The west past the Mataura River to the Catlins the east. To the north, Southland is framed by the Darran and Eyre Mountains. Farther south lies Stewart Island which is separated from the mainland by the Foveaux Strait . Southland contains New Zealand's highest waterfall—the Browne Falls . Lake Hauroko is the deepest lake in the country. The highest peak in Southland is Mount Tūtoko , which
6825-412: The western part of the region, is almost totally devoid of permanent human settlement. The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Southland was estimated at NZ$ 6.36 billion in the year to March 2019, 2.1% of New Zealand's national GDP. The subnational GDP per capita was estimated at $ 63,084 in the same period. In the year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 1.35 billion (22.4%) to
6916-410: The workers were permanent residents of the town the chain system lead to increasing numbers of seasonal workers who lived in the town only during the killing season. In 1982 a methane plant was installed which allowed the complex to supply more of its power demand. After a series of takeovers the Mataura works came under the ownership of Alliance Group Limited in 1989. The works currently undertakes
7007-404: The works. In 1931 a new slaughter board was installed in the complex. In the 1947 to 1948 season the slaughterhouse changed over from solo butchering to the chain system of slaughtering livestock. Whereas previously one man took responsibility for butchering an animal from start to finish, with the chain system one man was limited to undertaking one task. Compared with the previous system where
7098-538: Was $ 26,600, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 81 people (6.3%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 648 (50.6%) people were employed full-time, 159 (12.4%) were part-time, and 54 (4.2%) were unemployed. Prior to 1882 local government had been undertaken first by the Tutarau Wardens and then by the Tutarau Road Board. On 29 March 1892
7189-566: Was 40.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 18,921 people (18.9%) aged under 15 years, 17,208 (17.2%) aged 15 to 29, 45,495 (45.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 18,516 (18.5%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.1% European ( Pākehā ); 16.8% Māori ; 3.3% Pasifika ; 7.1% Asian ; 1.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
7280-423: Was 6.1, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.4% had no religion, 32.4% were Christian , 2.0% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.7% were Muslim and 1.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 51 (4.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 465 (36.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
7371-611: Was a member) took responsibility of the issue and the Historic Places Act 1954 was passed, which established the National Historic Places Trust as a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The trust was governed by a 12-member board plus a chairman, and they first met in 1955. The National Historic Places Trust came under the responsibility of the Minister of Internal Affairs . The composition of
7462-456: Was being used, which operated every day except for two days during the Christmas holiday period. The shifts were eight hour long with shift workers working six days on and two days off. By 1997 the mill was producing approximately 25,000 tonnes of paper products per year. The mill's equipment was powered by a combination of onsite hydro power, steam boilers powered by local coal and supply from
7553-473: Was established at Edendale in 1882. Much of this export went to the United Kingdom. Now, Edendale is the site of the world's largest raw milk-processing plant, and Southland's economy is based on agriculture, tourism, fishing, forestry , coal, and hydropower . Southland Region and the Southland Regional Council were created in 1989, as part of the 1989 local government reforms . Southland
7644-415: Was established in 1870. The moving of the former Mataura Ferry Hotel (by now renamed Cameron's Hotel) downstream to a location on the west bank where it was better able to service the passing traffic initiated development on the west bank which was assisted by the surveying of the west and north Mataura in 1874. In 1875 a railway line was built from Gore to Mataura which in conjunction with establishment of
7735-621: Was intended that the new works would compete for their business. The plant opened on 21 April 1893, with freezing starting 4 days later. The complex's machinery was powered by electricity from a hydro generator powered by water diverted from the falls. A steam engine provided backup power. By early May production had increased to 300 carcasses a day. The complex at the time of its opening featured 3 freezing chambers, each capable of holding 600 carcasses. The storerooms could accommodate 16,000 carcasses, which by 1897 had been increased to 24,000 carcasses. By 1905 40 to 50 people were being employed at
7826-462: Was purchased from local Maori by the Otago Provincial Council, with the objective of developing it up for settlement by immigrants from Great Britain. At the time, travellers between Southland and Otago were drawn to the Mataura area by the presence of the Tuturau ford located about 3.2 km downstream of the falls and the northern ford which was located approximately 1.6 km (0.99 mi) above
7917-464: Was sold to the partners of Dunedin-based Coulls Culling and Co. and Thomas S. Culling, who was senior partner in the Dunedin-based business of R. Wilson and Co. Under the direction of Thomas Culling, the company had by 1888 installed new paper making machinery as well as two hydro generators one of 50 Hp and the other of 250 hp. In 1891 the paper mill and the freezing works jointly built a weir to
8008-579: Was spent in the Fiordland area. In July 2007 the New Zealand Government awarded oil and gas exploration permits for four areas of the Great South Basin . The three successful permit holders were ExxonMobil New Zealand, OMV and Greymouth Petroleum . 45°42′S 168°06′E / 45.7°S 168.1°E / -45.7; 168.1 Heritage New Zealand#The Register Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (initially
8099-541: Was spoken by 97.3%, Māori language by 3.1%, Samoan by 0.5% and other languages by 7.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 14.4, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 33.1% Christian , 0.8% Hindu , 0.4% Islam , 0.5% Māori religious beliefs , 0.6% Buddhist , 0.4% New Age , and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.9%, and 8.3% of people did not answer
8190-639: Was subsequently purchased by Dongwha in 2005. Renamed as the Patinna mill it specializes in thin and high density fibreboard products with 90% of its output exported. The mill was acquired by Japanese company Daiken in 2018. Mataura is the birthplace of Cardigan Bay , the famous New Zealand pacer. Cardigan Bay was the first standardbred to win $ 1,000,000. 46°11′S 168°52′E / 46.183°S 168.867°E / -46.183; 168.867 Southland, New Zealand Southland ( Māori : Murihiku , lit. 'the last joint of
8281-406: Was that 43,197 (53.2%) people were employed full-time, 11,688 (14.4%) were part-time, and 1,749 (2.2%) were unemployed. A relatively high proportion of nineteenth century migrants came from Scotland and Ireland. Māori are largely concentrated around the port of Bluff. During the 1940s, the development of the freezing works boosted a short-term immigration to the region by North Island Māori. In
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