The Opihi River is a great spot to fish. Photo / Creative Commons image by Flickr user Alex Hallatt
This town has big money, great pubs and cottage industries, discovers Elisabeth Easther.
Where is it? In the South Island on the Canterbury Plains, 15km north of Timaru or 142km south of Christchurch.
Origin of name: Originally called Te umu kaha, Maori for long lasting or strong ovens.
Population: 4050.
Town icon? The local pottery. It's legendary.
High-flyer: Richard Pearse, the aviator, took his first flight barely 5km from the town centre, and there's a memorial where he supposedly flew for the first time.
Sporting legend: Ned Barry was an All Black in the 1930s and his son and grandson both subsequently played for the national team.
Best website: temuka.net.nz.
Most prominent industry: Fonterra has a plant here, the country's second largest. They indirectly employ about 3500 people in the area. Temuka Transport is also a big employer and the town is also home to the second largest sale yard in New Zealand (the largest in the South Island).
Source of pride: The town has a really strong community spirit, the locals are passionate about Temuka and they're fiercely loyal to the place.
Town fiestas: The Christmas street parade is always popular as is the free family fun day held each September.
Here for a short time? Take a stroll along the main street; it just has a lovely traditional small-town Kiwi feel which you don't get so much these days.
Best reason to stop: To admire the local arts and crafts, specifically the pottery.
Best place to take the kids: The domain is amazing, - as it's over 125 years old the trees are well established and it has a very grand feel. There's a sizeable park with loads of sporting options including tennis, squash, swimming and athletics. The golf club is nearby as are rugby, hockey and soccer fields. The camping grounds are there and you'll be right next to the river.
Best park: The aforementioned domain.
Best playground: The playground at the park has lots of climbing equipment plus swings and slides and it's entertaining for all ages from toddlers to teens; a big new shaded area has just been built to make it peaceful in the warmer months. There's a skate park in the domain, too.
Putt putt: If you're not up for a serious round of golf the local mini golf is a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Best facilities: There are fab new lavatories next to the library on the main street. They've just been upgraded and are worth every penny that was spent.
Best walk: The Taumatakahu Stream Walk is superb. The stream runs right through the town and over the last few years school groups and various other community organisations have beautified the area - and getting the kids involved means they'll cherish it in the future. The track loops right around the whole town and it takes about 90 minutes to walk the complete route, plus there are plenty of entrances and exits so you can pop in and out whenever you fancy. You're also allowed to ride it by bike or scooter if you'd rather.
Best view: The Waitui area, where Richard Pearse took that first flight, has panoramic views to the mountain. The bulk of the region is quite flat (being part of The Plains) so there aren't many high vantage points.
Best place to pull over: Opihi River, where you'll find Chinook salmon, introduced from California in the 1900s and the rare black-billed gull. Plus it's super pretty.
Best swim: Temuka Domain has a heated pool with slides and all sorts of fun things during the summer months - or you can swim in the rivers if you'd rather.
Best museum: Temuka Courthouse Museum is filled with fascinating glimpses into the history of the area. It's not enormous but the building alone is reason to stop, although it's only open on Sundays unless by prior appointment.
Nice arts: Out the Back Studio and Gallery, where you'll find the wares of local artists Colin Higgins and Maria Foley. They sell their own works as well as second hand and antique curios.
Top shop: Temuka Pottery, not only is it open seven days a week, there's also a cosy cafe attached to the place. This is a fascinating place for gaining insight into the history of the pottery and clay that makes this area famous for ceramics.
Cream of the coffee: 100% Homemade (attached to Temuka Pottery) does delicious food, including gluten and dairy-free and vegetarian options. Their seafood chowder is highly regarded.
Baked: Temuka Bakery - vive le jam doughnut.
Best food: The Jolly Potter is a cafe and bar which also has one of the best selections of vintage pottery on display above the bar.
Wet your whistle: There are six bars in town and they're all good but if you must narrow it down The Jolly Potter or Blues Kitchen are grand with the latter throwing jazz nights on Thursdays.
Best mountain biking: The aforementioned Taumatakahu Stream Walkway can be ridden or how about riding along the Temuka River beds, this track takes about two hours end to end.
Best kept secret: The Temuka Holiday Park is amazing and there's so much to do within a short distance of the place. Recently taken over by new management, holidays here are going to be all the rage when word gets out.
Wildlife: Temuka is home to healthy populations of native longtail bats which nest in the local riverbeds, along the banks of the stream and around Hanging Rock. Forest and Bird have understandably been working hard to preserve their colonies. Plus you'll also find owls, ducks, fantails, grey warblers and the rare black-billed gull.
Locals say: Slow down, don't rush, take your time.
Visitors say: I didn't know towns like this still existed.
Thanks to Charles Scarsbrook, owner of 100% Homemade Temuka Pottery, for sharing the Temuka team spirit with us.
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