Tarata

Taranaki

18 Jan

Dates: 1897-1938
Location: 2125 Tarata Road, Tarata, Taranaki (-39.133951, 174.389871)
Registration No: 631
Brand names: TARATA

Founding & Early Years (1897-1910)

The Tarata Co‑operative Dairy Company was incorporated on 13 July 1897 with £1,000 capital and and with Messrs FW Court, R Baxter, A Neilson, W Purdon, R Paterson, WJ Laurent and JH Horne as the first directors. Mr A Perry was appointed as company secretary.

Supplier numbers fluctuated significantly in the early years, rising to 36 in 1906 but falling to 17 by 1910. The company also explored expansion, admitting Purangi settlers in 1900 with the opening of a creamery there after settlers guaranteed the milk from at least 300 cows.

Infrastructure Improvements & Water Power (1910s-1920s)

Tarata invested steadily in modernising its operations. In 1916 tenders were called for a concrete dam and fluming system, and by 1917 the company had installed a reinforced concrete water‑power scheme on the Taramoukou Stream. This innovation promised substantial savings of £150 per annum in fuel consumption.

Prices for butter-fat fluctuated and in 1914, a deputation from the Tarata company approached the Moa company in Inglewood with a view to amalgamation. At the time, the Moa company was paying one penny per pound more for butter-fat than Tarata. Evidently, the proposal was rejected at a subsequent full meeting of Tarata shareholders.

New Concrete Factory & Peak Supply (1930-1933)

The original 1897 wooden factory was replaced by a modern concrete building, opened on 4 September 1930. During construction, butter production temporarily shifted to Maketawa. The new factory was expected to serve the district for many years, and supplier numbers reached their peak -“74 in 1933”-reflecting strong local engagement and confidence in the upgraded facility.

1897 factory before demolition - photographer unknown

New factory opening - 1930 - photographer unknown

Decline, Closure & Liquidation (1933-1940)

Despite the new factory, Tarata faced increasing competition from the Moa Company at Inglewood. By the late 1930s, more suppliers were sending their production to Moa, undermining Tarata’s viability. In August 1938, shareholders voted for voluntary liquidation, with the press noting it was “the third dairy company in North Taranaki to take that step this season.” The factory buildings and equipment were sold, and the final winding‑up meeting was held in March 1940, marking the end of over forty years of dairy operations at Tarata.