Tarara

Otago

28 Oct

Dates: 1911-1926
Location: 857 Puaho Road, Purakaunui 9586, Otago (-46.517582, 169.555587)
Registration No: 827
Brand name: TARARA

Origins and Establishment (1911-1912)

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.

Growth, Challenges and Community Role (1913-1918)

Through the 1910s, the factory became an important part of the local community although road conditions frequently hindered operations. In 1912, the secretary warned that the factory might need to close early due to the poor state of the Catlins-Papatowai road. Settlers repeatedly petitioned the council for road repairs. Despite these challenges, Tarara cheese gained recognition, winning first prize for export cheese at the 1916 Owaka Show. The factory also contributed to community causes, donating an 80‑lb cheese to the Red Cross in 1915. In 1917, the company petitioned for manager Clancy Edmund Henry to be exempted from military service despite Mr Clancy being anxious to serve and join two of his brothers fighting in Europe. His appeal was eventually successful and he went to Europe to serve but he was tragically killed in action on 15 August 1918.

Crown Grant Index Record Map - Woodland District - Archway Record Code R10302850

Tarara cheese factory - photographer unknown

Decline and Closure (1919-1926)

Production peaked at 37 tons in the 1917-18 season and reached a high of 17 suppliers by 1922-23. However, numbers gradually declined, reaching a low of 11 suppliers by 1925–26. There were a succession of managerial advertisements throughout the 1920s reflecting the struggle to attract and retain key staff and with shrinking output, falling to 25–30 tons by the mid‑1920s and declining suppliers, the factory closed in 1926. In 1927, the South Island Dairy Association reported that Tarara had gone out of business and tenders were invited for the sale of the factory buildings, plant, and manager’s hut. The company was formally dissolved on 9 May 1928.

Managers included Mr AT Ross, Mr CE Henry and Mr EJ Smyth who went on to own and operate the private Sunnyvale Cheese Factory at Papatowai from 1924-1953.