23 October 1903 - likely when creamery opened - photographer unknown
Dates: 1903-1918
Location: Opposite 819 Owaka Valley Road, Owaka Valley, Otago (-46.422427, 169.57149)
Registration No: Taieri & Peninsula
Brand name: See Taieri & Peninsula
NZMS13 - OT157 - 1920
Establishment and Early Operations
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.
Those who applied for shares were Oliver Andrews (25), Alexander Pullar (30), Benjamin Morris (15), Alfred Bradfield (50), George Morris (20), Harry Jones (20), Donald Matheson (10), John Duley (20), Frederick Bradfield (30), Andrew and William Thompson (30), James Braid (10), Mrs Marian Harris (40), Robert Hogg Clapperton (10), Daniel Weir (30), William Wilson (20), Richard Stoddart (25), William McKinlay (20), Samuel Young - storekeeper, Owaka (10), James Morrison Thomson (5), Randolph Douglas Dick (15), John McNutt (25), Mrs Janey Harvey Farquhar (16), Emmanuel Jones (15), Mrs Elizabeth Ferguson (12), James Landreth (12), David Cherry (14), George Johnstone (11), John Ford (11).
Owaka Valley became part of the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company’s expanding creamery network in late 1903. The site chosen (surveyed on 25 August 1903) was on a sub-divided 1 acre section owned by David McNutt equidistant from the Owaka and Tahatika creameries. The creamery appears to have opened on or around 23 October when suppliers are photographed (what looks to be) behind the creamery. Those pictured have been identified as: on verandah: George Rogers (Manager), Kate Weir, John McNutt and Donald Matheson. Carts from left: John Duley, Oliver Andrews, John Mitchell, Bill Morris, Joe McNutt, Dick Stoddart, Andrew Thomson, Randolph Dick and Bill Bradfield.
Operation and Later History
For the next decade, the Owaka Valley creamery became a steady part of district life. By 1911, its long‑serving manager, George Rogers, had severed his tenure with the creamery to go farming with his contribution celebrated by suppliers. Subsequent managers included Mr Colin McDonald who managed the creamery with help from his brother Norman although it’s uncertain how long he managed the creamery before Leslie Field Reid took over in 1915.
Increasing home separation saw the creamery finally closing around 1918. The creamery was offered by Donald Reid & Son for sale by auction but when it didn’t sell, it was offered for sale privately by the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company for £320. In 1919, Thomas Dowling was offered the creamery but a sale did not eventuate. After some time, the machinery was removed and the building left to disintegrate and was eventually pulled down. The only evidence today are the many daffodils that appear each spring in the paddock opposite Kevin Capon's home at 819 Owaka Valley Road.
Opposite creamery site
Circa 1884 - The Taieri & Peninsula Milk Supply Company Limited’s Dunedin premises on Great King Street with first Manager Mr WJ Birch standing above the white cross - factory is in behind the office - photographer unknown
Creamery site survey plan - 1903
Survey plan showing creamery site (DP 1648)
Survey plan showing creamery site