Book Your Event: Pukerau Community Hall
Community halls have been, over the years, the central focus for the District's rural areas. The Council assists in looking after the funding of maintenance for the halls in its area, as well as collecting contributions from residents in the Gore District whose local hall may be outside of the district.
Puke: hills; ... rau: a leaf, a hundred, or many. First known as The Swamp and then as Taylors Creek (there were several places with the latter name in Otago). When the railway line reached this locality a more distinctive name was needed. In the vicinity there was a natural formation that reminded Māori of a cluster of leaves, and so the name came into being.
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Pukerau History
PUKERAU is a small farming township ninety-one miles from Dunedin, on the main line of railway, and forty-nine miles from Invercargill. The settlement was formerly included in the Otikerama run, owned by Captain Boyd, but this was cut up for settlement, in small areas, about 1877. Pukerau has a post and telegraph office, railway station, Presbyterian church, Roman Catholic chapel, two stores, a public school, and an Athenaeum and public hall.
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The written history of Pukerau started in 1976 with the arrival of the railway line and the sale of the Otakaramu run to farmers. The countryside in those days was covered in white tussock.
The first name of the valley in the 1850's was "The Swamp", then in the 60's it was called Taylors Creek, however there were other places with that name in Otago, so it was decided to use a Maori name - Pukerau, and with the meaning "one hundred hills", it seemed to suit the surroundings/ However in this instance the meaning of "rau", is leaf and the aged Maoris said the name mean "Leaf Hill", bestowed because at one place there was a peculiar formation reminding them of a cluster of leaves.
Until the railway came along the valley and brought traffic alongside it, there was no need for vehicles, horsemen or walkers to pass through Pukerau. The usual road from Waipahi westward was to take the leading ridge past Conical Hill and over the Landslip Hill through Merino Downs to Pinkerton's Ford on the Waikaka River. Wild pigs were in abundance and these were hunted by runholders. Mists surrounded the hills for days at a time, the result of so much un-drained land surrounding Taylors Creek.
Coal mining has been synonymous with the development of the Pukerau district throughout the years. Now-a-days there is not much visible evidence of the former industry, but the basic land formation is still the same, and mining details are a natural part of the pukerau land features.
Between 1876 and 1948 coal was supplied to the local Dairy Factory and Brick Kiln, and also out of the district. it also proved a very good lignite coal for home use, and was carted mostly by horses and drays. Latterly however lorries were used, and as a consequence, the roads remained in better order, as the rays cut up the surface, especially in the winter months. It has been estimated that there could be as much as 10, 000, 000 tons of coal in the district. The first mine was in operation between 1867 - 88 by Mapp and McKenzie and was an opencast lignite.
In 1881 John Norton moved from Chatton to Pukerau to engage in his business of Brick and Tile making, using the loose-like silty clay found locally with an overburden generally not more than one or two feet thick. There was, as has been mentioned a ready supply of coal in the area.
Originally the Brick Works consisted of one down - draught kiln and a clay pit dug by pick and shovel. In 1915 20 acres f land across the road was bought and a tunnel was excavated beneath the main rod to facilitate its use. Improvements have been made over the years, and the works have gone the full circle with an oil-fired tunnel kiln now having been converted back to coal, - a sign of the times.
The railway between Gore and Waipahi opened on 13th May 1877. In 1882 Pukerau had a goodshed, station and a Station master, and in 1883 a Station Masters house was constructed.
The original station at Pukerau was also the local Post Office and the Station Master combined the two duties, being on occasion required to register births, deaths and marriages. In December 1920 the postal facilities were moved to the "new" Post Office on the main highway. In March 1908 the Pukerau Station had a rabbit problem, they were undermining the station platform, causing it to collapse in several places. Electric train table working was introduced about the year 1904 and semaphore signalling provided. The railway was the earliest form of transport and communication throughout the country. It carted newspapers, mail, lime, fertiliser, coal, gravel, stock, passengers and children to and from schools. Not until 1904 was it possible to travel from Invercargill to Christchurch in one day. In 1931 the station was connected with electric power and electric lighting was installed in the signal lamps.
In mid 1981 the former Pukerau Railway Station assumed a ghost-like appearance. First the goods shed, then the station were removed, main line traffic running straight through the once busy station.
On December 9th 1920 the Post Office and telephone exchange was given a small building of their own. In 1929 a hut on skids was cited behind the Post Office to accommodate the Postmaster. An automatic telephone exchange was brought into service in 1971 and the post off building was closed and service continued from the local store. In 1888, Pukerau could boast of having two butchers, baker, boot maker, two blacksmiths, two carpenters three coal pit proprietors, tow dressmakers three store keepers, a carter, brick and tile maker, hotel proprietors, post master, station master, Presbyterian minister, public library secretary and school teacher.
The Pukerau School dates back to September 6th 1879. There were 27 children at the time. The original school comprised of one room and a porch at the cost of 150 pounds and a residence at 198 pounds. Thirteen years later a second room was added at a cost of 99 pounds. in 1946 the present school and residence was built, also memorial gates. In the early years children walked to school, rode ponies. In 1904 Mr R Young started a service with a horse and spring cart to pick up the children on the Kaiwera road, later years Mr J Young drove a car. When the Arthurton school closed in 1939 the children from that area were brought to Pukerau by bus. A milestone in the life of the school occurred in 1972 when Longrofd intermediate was opened in Gore and forms 1 and 2 pupils attend there. The highest roll numbers were recorded in the late 60's and early 70's when the roll was around 116, with 4 teachers. Today the school has two teachers, is well quipped wit modern educational aids, a well-stocked library 2 tennis courts and a swimming pool.
The first Presbyterian services were held in homes, huts and woodsheds. The earliest services were held in Pukerau at the home of Mr George Corrans the local boot maker. In 1881 Otaraia, Waipahi and pukerau agreed to co-operate to have settled minister or home missionary. Mr James Roy was appointed. The Pukerau church which was built to seat 130 people and cost 230 pounds was opened on March 8th 1895.
Camp Columba, near the township of Pukerau, which is run by the Bible Classes of the Mataura Presbytery, is a very popular and widely used by all denominations and groups. The foundation stone was laid in November 23rd 1957. hours of voluntary work went into the building and beautification of the grounds.
Methodist services were held in the Pukearu Hall between 1883-1895 and the Anglican church also held services 1901-1902, in the late 1950's and 1962-63. Before 1880 Catholic families living in the district were dependent on early missionary priests coming from the north. Mass was held in a small Catholic church from 1894. in 1963 the small church was given to St Marys Scouts.
The store originally known as the Phoenix Store dates back to 1882. over the years it was not only a place where you bought your supplies, but happy friendly meeting place. it was closed in 1973 and now the building is a craft shop. There were 3 other small stores in Pukerau over the years, the best know being Valentines store which was situated near the Dairy Factory. in September 1882 a committee of trustees was formed to arrange the athenaeum in the Pukerau settlement. The athenaeum was the centre of both cultural and recreational activity where in serous and lighthearted occasions were held. it was erected t a cost of 279 pounds and consisted of a main room and two anteroom. There was a large fire place in one of these rooms, and on either side of this a large cupboard which served s a library which was open on Saturday nights. There was no kitchen, which meant the ladies boiled water on the open fire for the cups of tea.
The first name of the valley in the 1850's was "The Swamp", then in the 60's it was called Taylors Creek, however there were other places with that name in Otago, so it was decided to use a Maori name - Pukerau, and with the meaning "one hundred hills", it seemed to suit the surroundings/ However in this instance the meaning of "rau", is leaf and the aged Maoris said the name mean "Leaf Hill", bestowed because at one place there was a peculiar formation reminding them of a cluster of leaves.
Until the railway came along the valley and brought traffic alongside it, there was no need for vehicles, horsemen or walkers to pass through Pukerau. The usual road from Waipahi westward was to take the leading ridge past Conical Hill and over the Landslip Hill through Merino Downs to Pinkerton's Ford on the Waikaka River. Wild pigs were in abundance and these were hunted by runholders. Mists surrounded the hills for days at a time, the result of so much un-drained land surrounding Taylors Creek.
Coal mining has been synonymous with the development of the Pukerau district throughout the years. Now-a-days there is not much visible evidence of the former industry, but the basic land formation is still the same, and mining details are a natural part of the pukerau land features.
Between 1876 and 1948 coal was supplied to the local Dairy Factory and Brick Kiln, and also out of the district. it also proved a very good lignite coal for home use, and was carted mostly by horses and drays. Latterly however lorries were used, and as a consequence, the roads remained in better order, as the rays cut up the surface, especially in the winter months. It has been estimated that there could be as much as 10, 000, 000 tons of coal in the district. The first mine was in operation between 1867 - 88 by Mapp and McKenzie and was an opencast lignite.
In 1881 John Norton moved from Chatton to Pukerau to engage in his business of Brick and Tile making, using the loose-like silty clay found locally with an overburden generally not more than one or two feet thick. There was, as has been mentioned a ready supply of coal in the area.
Originally the Brick Works consisted of one down - draught kiln and a clay pit dug by pick and shovel. In 1915 20 acres f land across the road was bought and a tunnel was excavated beneath the main rod to facilitate its use. Improvements have been made over the years, and the works have gone the full circle with an oil-fired tunnel kiln now having been converted back to coal, - a sign of the times.
The railway between Gore and Waipahi opened on 13th May 1877. In 1882 Pukerau had a goodshed, station and a Station master, and in 1883 a Station Masters house was constructed.
The original station at Pukerau was also the local Post Office and the Station Master combined the two duties, being on occasion required to register births, deaths and marriages. In December 1920 the postal facilities were moved to the "new" Post Office on the main highway. In March 1908 the Pukerau Station had a rabbit problem, they were undermining the station platform, causing it to collapse in several places. Electric train table working was introduced about the year 1904 and semaphore signalling provided. The railway was the earliest form of transport and communication throughout the country. It carted newspapers, mail, lime, fertiliser, coal, gravel, stock, passengers and children to and from schools. Not until 1904 was it possible to travel from Invercargill to Christchurch in one day. In 1931 the station was connected with electric power and electric lighting was installed in the signal lamps.
In mid 1981 the former Pukerau Railway Station assumed a ghost-like appearance. First the goods shed, then the station were removed, main line traffic running straight through the once busy station.
On December 9th 1920 the Post Office and telephone exchange was given a small building of their own. In 1929 a hut on skids was cited behind the Post Office to accommodate the Postmaster. An automatic telephone exchange was brought into service in 1971 and the post off building was closed and service continued from the local store. In 1888, Pukerau could boast of having two butchers, baker, boot maker, two blacksmiths, two carpenters three coal pit proprietors, tow dressmakers three store keepers, a carter, brick and tile maker, hotel proprietors, post master, station master, Presbyterian minister, public library secretary and school teacher.
The Pukerau School dates back to September 6th 1879. There were 27 children at the time. The original school comprised of one room and a porch at the cost of 150 pounds and a residence at 198 pounds. Thirteen years later a second room was added at a cost of 99 pounds. in 1946 the present school and residence was built, also memorial gates. In the early years children walked to school, rode ponies. In 1904 Mr R Young started a service with a horse and spring cart to pick up the children on the Kaiwera road, later years Mr J Young drove a car. When the Arthurton school closed in 1939 the children from that area were brought to Pukerau by bus. A milestone in the life of the school occurred in 1972 when Longrofd intermediate was opened in Gore and forms 1 and 2 pupils attend there. The highest roll numbers were recorded in the late 60's and early 70's when the roll was around 116, with 4 teachers. Today the school has two teachers, is well quipped wit modern educational aids, a well-stocked library 2 tennis courts and a swimming pool.
The first Presbyterian services were held in homes, huts and woodsheds. The earliest services were held in Pukerau at the home of Mr George Corrans the local boot maker. In 1881 Otaraia, Waipahi and pukerau agreed to co-operate to have settled minister or home missionary. Mr James Roy was appointed. The Pukerau church which was built to seat 130 people and cost 230 pounds was opened on March 8th 1895.
Camp Columba, near the township of Pukerau, which is run by the Bible Classes of the Mataura Presbytery, is a very popular and widely used by all denominations and groups. The foundation stone was laid in November 23rd 1957. hours of voluntary work went into the building and beautification of the grounds.
Methodist services were held in the Pukearu Hall between 1883-1895 and the Anglican church also held services 1901-1902, in the late 1950's and 1962-63. Before 1880 Catholic families living in the district were dependent on early missionary priests coming from the north. Mass was held in a small Catholic church from 1894. in 1963 the small church was given to St Marys Scouts.
The store originally known as the Phoenix Store dates back to 1882. over the years it was not only a place where you bought your supplies, but happy friendly meeting place. it was closed in 1973 and now the building is a craft shop. There were 3 other small stores in Pukerau over the years, the best know being Valentines store which was situated near the Dairy Factory. in September 1882 a committee of trustees was formed to arrange the athenaeum in the Pukerau settlement. The athenaeum was the centre of both cultural and recreational activity where in serous and lighthearted occasions were held. it was erected t a cost of 279 pounds and consisted of a main room and two anteroom. There was a large fire place in one of these rooms, and on either side of this a large cupboard which served s a library which was open on Saturday nights. There was no kitchen, which meant the ladies boiled water on the open fire for the cups of tea.
Pukerau Community Hall
Idyllic Setting For
A Wedding ... Family Reunions ... Birthday Party ... Community Meetings ... Morning Tea Shout ... Business Meetings ... Club Meetings ... Gatherings
A Wedding ... Family Reunions ... Birthday Party ... Community Meetings ... Morning Tea Shout ... Business Meetings ... Club Meetings ... Gatherings