Heathfield (Chaslands)

Otago

28 Oct

Dates: 1897-1921
Location: 1488 Chaslands Highway, Chaslands, Otago (-46.586186, 169.317666)
Registration No: 755
Brand name: HEATHFIELD

Factory section and site - Google Maps 2026

Origins of the Heathfield Dairy Factory (1894-1897)

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.

Struggle to Establish the Dairy Factory (1897-1898)

The drive for a dairy factory to help secure the economic future of Chaslands became the defining mission of the young settlement. Various schemes were proposed, including by the Dunedin Meat and Export Company (later called the New Zealand and Co-operative Agency Company Limited, which promised a factory if settlers subscribed 1,000 shares. Yet progress stalled and by January 1898, the partially built factory stood abandoned after the collapse of the company - leaving settlers out of pocket by £250.

Crown Grant Index Record Map - Tautuku District - Archway Record Code R10302831

McNab’s Intervention and the Factory’s Early Years (1898-1910)

The turning point came when local MP Robert McNab personally stepped in, purchasing the surveyed factory site and funding the complete construction of the Heathfield Dairy Factory. He asked for no payment in the first year and allowed settlers ten years to repay the cost, while also supplying cows to those unable to afford them. By November 1898, the factory opened with an intake of 400 gallons, rising rapidly to 700–900 gallons as herds expanded. Reports celebrated its early success: “Heathfield Dairy Factory… has exceeded the most sanguine hopes of all concerned”. For the first 10 years of its life, the factory remained the heart of Chaslands, producing up to 15 cwt of cheese per day and peaking at around 25 suppliers. But it was always a struggle to make the factory pay given its isolation and due to the small and uncertain milk supply because of the difficulties caring for stock on bush sections and the long distance to the railway at Maclennan. Access by scow from Tautuku was a failure and until the railway reached the south Catlins, the only outlet was 40 rough and muddy kms to Owaka. By 1910, there were only 5 suppliers and the factory’s future looked bleak.

Decline, Closure and Legacy (1910-1921)

The factory closed intermittently and was purchased around 1913 by William Kirkland and George Farquharson two of the factory’s biggest suppliers. A further ownership change happened in late 1917 following the death of George Farquharson with his ownership stake being bought by Charles Shanks. The factory limped on until early 1921 when its land, buildings and equipment were listed for sale. A 1924 account described the abandoned structure as having “a general air of desolation” now used as a cow byre. By 1933, the disused factory was still standing and its uncertain when it was finally removed or demolished. As of September 2026, the old factory site is now partially occupied by a shed/workshop.

1906 - photographer unknown - Left to right: Bob Welsh, Lizzie O'Connor, Margaret Hourston, Fred Hourston (Manager), Jim McMaster, Mary Going, George Dewar, Tony Junge, Bob Little, Donald Little, Harry Croft, Charles Kirkland

Those of you who are keen eyed may spot the one armed figure on the far right of the photo. His name was Charles Kirkland, the son of one of the factory owners William Kirkland who jointly owned the factory with first George Farquharson from around 1913 and then with Charles Shanks from around 1913 following George Farquharson’s death in 1917.

Charles Kirkland lost his arm following an accident at Moffett’s mill in Waikawa in September 1905.

Tragedy struck just over 20 years later when Charles Kirkland was killed in a workplace accident at Lauriston mill in Tahakopa aged 36 leaving behind a widow and four children.