Ahuriri Flat became part of the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company’s expanding creamery network in late 1901. Early throughput reached around 500 gallons growing to over 700 gallons daily, and the site developed into a small community hub, even adding a grocery store in 1902.

The Kahikatea Co-operative Dairy Factory Company Limited was incorporated in 1909 with an article advertising for a factory manager appearing in September 1909 although it doesn’t appear in the official register of dairy factories until 1912 with Mr W Smith as its secretary. Its exact location is unclear but an October 1909 article places the factory almost alongside the Hinahina wharf near the Kahikatea Saw-Milling Company mill from which the factory received steam for the working of the machinery and for heating purposes.

A deputation of local farmers including John Duley approached the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company for a creamery to be built in 1903. This was agreed to on the proviso that the farmers would have to take up 600 shares and guarantee the milk supply from 500 cows.

The push for a Tahatika dairy factory began in June 1893 when Mr Wright of the Owaka Dairy Factory visited Tahatika and Purekireki with a view to starting a creamery “in the most central and suitable position”. Despite widespread support, nothing eventuated possibly due to high prices being commanded for home-made butter at the time making factory made butter less appealing.

Chaslands was one of the last and most isolated parts of the Catlins to be settled as a result of the Improved Farm Settlement Scheme of 1894 with the Heathfield and neighbouring Waipati farm settlements eventually becoming known as Chaslands. In 1894, newspapers described the transformation underway, noting that “twelve months ago Chaslands was a wilderness; twelve months hence and it will be a paradise”. Families arrived in steady numbers, fencing sections, clearing bush, and pushing for essential services such as a school and a dairy factory. By 1895, Heathfield had 27 settlers and Waipati 19. Like elsewhere in the Catlins, each block was about 40ha but in most cases only about 9ha was cleared and grassed. By 1896–97, public meetings were held to secure government assistance, with settlers determined to build a co‑operative future despite isolation, rough roads, and the immense labour required to establish viable farms in dense forest.

The Tarara Co‑operative Dairy Factory Company Limited was incorporated on 16 October 1911 after local settlers organised themselves into a co‑operative and secured the promise of milk from 275 cows. The company applied for land in the Woodland district, ultimately purchasing a four‑acre site of newly cleared bush for the factory. This small cheese factory was built by Mr J Sharp for approximately £125 and appears to have opened in late 1911. The curd was cut by hand and water was provided via a pipe from a spring in the bush. The first load of cheese consisted of 40 crates carted to the Catlins railway station by Mr Anderton's bullock wagon.

The story of the Owaka dairy factory began in 1888, when a series of meetings discussed the possibility of establishing a dairy factory in the district. By 1890 the idea had become reality. A factory was built by Mr Walter on land owned by Thomas Brown, with Mr Marshall appointed as its first manager. The factory began life making butter, serving the growing dairying industry around Owaka. In 1891, Mr Henderson soon took over as manager, but the factory’s early years were far from settled.

The Houipapa butter factory was a small, short‑lived operation run by William (Bill) Gwyn. It first appeared in official dairy factory listings in 1902, with registration no. 1355 which it also used as its brand name.