1916 - one of these buildings is likely the cheese factory - photographer unknown
Dates: 1909-1918
Location: 379 Hinahina Road, Hinahina 958684, Otago (-46.475045, 169.677543)
Registration No: 859
Brand name: KAHIKATEA
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Origins and Establishment (1909–1912)
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.
Operation and Community Challenges (1911–1916)
It appeared to have had two big issues during its limited period of operation. The first being its infrastructure where road access was a recurring problem, with the factory repeatedly requesting improvements to ensure cheese could be transported safely to the Catlins River railway station. At one point a wagonload nearly slipped into the river due to unstable road conditions. It also struggled to attract and retain key staff with the company repeatedly advertising for a factory manager or cheesemaker (in 1909, 1910, 1911, 1914, 1915 and 1917). Throughout these years, the factory peaked at 8 suppliers in 1916 producing 20 tons of KAHIKATEA branded cheese.
Decline and Closure (1916–1920)
The factory’s fortunes were closely linked to the sawmill that powered it. In November 1916, the sawmilling company’s entire plant was auctioned under receivership. Without the mill’s support, the dairy factory soon followed. By 1918, the buildings, plant, portable engine, and water system were offered for sale, either as a complete unit or in parts. Its final appearance in the annual factory register that same year, with James Wyber listed as secretary, marks the end of the Kahikatea cheese factory’s brief presence in the Catlins district. The Kahikatea Co-operative Dairy Factory Company Limited was finally dissolved on 2 November 1920.
Factory located north of school alongside Hinahina wharf