{{Short description|Town in Canterbury, New Zealand}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Temuka | pushpin_map = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | coordinates = {{coord|44|14|40|S|171|16|40|E|region:NZ_type:city|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Canterbury | subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority | subdivision_name2 = Timaru District | subdivision_type3 = Community board | subdivision_name3 = Temuka Community Board<ref>{{cite web |title=Temuka Community Board – Timaru District Council |url=https://www.timaru.govt.nz/council/elected-council-members/community-boards/temuka-community-board |website=www.timaru.govt.nz |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref> | subdivision_type4 = Ward | subdivision_name4 = Pleasant Point-Temuka | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|Rangitata|Te Tai Tonga (Māori)}} | leader_title = {{nowrap|Territorial authority}} | leader_name = Timaru District Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Environment Canterbury | leader_title2 = Mayor of Timaru | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Timaru District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = Rangitata MP | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Rangitata MP|y}} | leader_title4 = Te Tai Tonga MP | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}} | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 8.34 | elevation_m = 15 | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Temuka|y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | postal_code_type = Postcode(s) | postal_code = 7920 | area_code = 03 | settlement_type = Town }} [[File:Temuka and the Opihi River.JPG|thumb|Temuka and the Ōpihi River. The photo was taken from an Air New Zealand ATR-72 flight from Christchurch to Invercargill]] '''Temuka''' is a town on New Zealand's Canterbury Plains, 15 kilometres north of Timaru and 142&nbsp;km south of Christchurch. It is located at the centre of a rich sheep and dairy farming region, for which it is a service town. It lies on the north bank of the Temuka River, just above its confluence with the Ōpihi River.

Temuka is the second largest town in South Canterbury after Timaru. Temuka is home to three schools, two primary schools and one secondary school. Temuka is accessed by New Zealand's State Highway Number 1 and the Main South Line railway allowing for major cargo handling. Temuka is north of the Opihi and Temuka rivers. The local secondary school, Opihi College, takes its name from the Opihi River. Both rivers are popular with locals and tourists. Almost all traffic passing north or south goes through or around Temuka. Temuka has recently had the redevelopment of the local Domain by incorporating a skate park to join the other facilities which include a swimming pool, mini golf, golf, netball, outdoor bowls and tennis. There are also rugby and football fields, a stadium complex and a holiday park.

==History == [[File:Temuka Court House.jpg|thumb|This 1900 red brick courthouse with Baroque elements was designed by John Campbell of the Public Works Department, and functioned until 1979. It is now the town museum.|alt=]]

The name ''Temuka'', or ''Te Muka'', is a corruption of {{Lang|Mi|Te Umu-kaha}}, which is thought to mean either 'fierce ovens' or 'strong current'.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reed |first=A. W. |title=Place Names of New Zealand |last2=Dowling |first2=Peter |year=2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=H. T. |date=June 1901 |title=Short Traditions of the South Island of New Zealand |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20701600 |journal=The Journal of the Polynesian Society |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=72–77 }}</ref> The fierce ovens would be the large earth ovens ({{Lang|Mi|umu}}) that Māori used to cook the roots of plentifully-growing cabbage trees. Temuka was originally called Wallingford.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Temuka {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/temuka |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz}}</ref>

Temuka was gazetted as a town in 1858. The first survey was conducted in 1863.<ref name=":0" /> The first buildings were erected in 1860. Initial industries included a tannery works, a cheese factory, a flour mill and potteries.<ref name=":0" /> The police barracks were built in 1863 and the telegraph office was opened in 1868. In 1878, the Oddfellows lodge and the St George Masonic lodge were opened. The Temuka town board was constituted in 1884.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Temuka History Book Committee |title=Temuka Through the Years, an informal history |publisher=Temuka Book Committee |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-473-15537-7 |location=Timaru}}</ref> In 1899, Wallingford and Arowhenua town districts were incorporated into the borough of Temuka.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=1966 |title=Temuka from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/temuka |access-date=7 Nov 2023 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref>

The population of Temuka was 1465 people in 1901.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=[Temuka] {{!}} NZETC |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d6-d97-d1.html |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}</ref> Temuka was described in 1903 as having two doctors, two chemists and one dentist in the town, which has a well kept park and domain, with a bicycle track, and tennis, cricket and football grounds.<ref name=":1" /> The two storied post and telegraph office was opened in 1902 by Sir Joseph Ward.

Temuka was a stop on the Main South Line until passenger services were discontinued. At one time Temuka supported wool scouring plants, it had a flour mill and manufactured electric power transmission insulators.

Temuka was hit by a significant flood on March 13, 1986, with Temuka being isolated after the bridge crossing State Highway 1 being washed out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kanwal |first=Sahiban |date=2016-03-11 |title=South Canterbury flood commemorated 30 years on |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/77782762/south-canterbury-flood-commemorated-30-years-on |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

Temuka previously had its own council system in place, but has been under the administration of Timaru District Council since 1989. Recently, the council has been redeveloping Temuka in the form of cleaning waterways, new walkways, redeveloping of existing walkways, new gardens, domains, new tennis courts, complete skate park and general modernisation of the large service town.

== Marae == Arowhenua marae, a ''marae'' (tribal meeting ground) of Ngāi Tahu and its Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua branch, is located south of Temuka.<ref name="tkmentry">{{cite web|title=Te Kāhui Māngai directory|url= http://www.tkm.govt.nz/ |website=tkm.govt.nz|publisher=Te Puni Kōkiri}}</ref> It includes Te Hapa o Niu Tireni ''wharenui'' (meeting house).<ref name="maorimaps">{{cite web |title=Māori Maps |url=https://maorimaps.com/map |website=maorimaps.com |publisher=Te Potiki National Trust}}</ref>

In October 2020, the Government committed $50,232 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae, creating 16 jobs.<ref name="maraepgf">{{cite web |title=Marae Announcements |url=https://www.growregions.govt.nz/assets/funding-announcements/marae-announcements.xlsx |website=growregions.govt.nz |publisher=Provincial Growth Fund |format=Excel |date=9 October 2020}}</ref>

==Demographics== The population of Temuka was 2212 people in 1951, 2254 people in 1956 and 2430 people in 1961.<ref name=":2" />

Temuka is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area. It covers {{Convert|8.34|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787| access-date=5 February 2024|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Temuka|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Temuka|y}} |R}}/8.34|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|4,245|2013|4,254|2018|4,470|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}} Temuka had a population of 4,470 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 216 people (5.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 225 people (5.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,911 households, comprising 2,205 males and 2,265 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female, with 789 people (17.7%) aged under 15 years, 678 (15.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,917 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,083 (24.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 90.0% European/Pākehā, 12.1% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 3.5% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 10.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.3% had no religion, 39.0% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 228 (6.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,260 (34.2%) people had no formal qualifications. 474 people (12.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,749 (47.5%) people were employed full-time, 495 (13.4%) were part-time, and 81 (2.2%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Temuka West (339300) and Temuka East (339600)}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+Individual statistical areas |- !Name !! Area<br/>(km<sup>2</sup>) !! Population !! Density<br/>(per km<sup>2</sup>) || Households !! Median age !! Median<br/>income |- | Temuka West || style="text-align:right;"|4.07 || style="text-align:right;"|2,163 || style="text-align:right;"| 531 || style="text-align:right;"|957 || 49.2 years || $26,800<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|temuka-west|Temuka West}}</ref> |- | Temuka East || style="text-align:right;"|4.27 || style="text-align:right;"|2,307 || style="text-align:right;"| 540 || style="text-align:right;"|954 || 43.9 years || $29,600<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|temuka-east|Temuka East}}</ref> |- ! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! 37.4 years !! style="text-align:left;"| $31,800 |}

== Churches ==

=== Presbyterian church === thumb|Trinity Presbyterian church Sunday school hall, Temuka (2023) The Trinity Presbyterian church was damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquakes and was subsequently demolished. The church was 120 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-12-02 |title=Damaged Temuka church faces bulldozer |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/6076315/Damaged-Temuka-church-faces-bulldozer |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> The Sunday school hall was built after 1915 and funded by the Guild family, of Temuka. It was used as a hospital during the 1918 influenza epidemic. It was sold in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presbyterian Sunday School Hall, Temuka |url=http://www.timarucivictrust.co.nz/1/post/2019/10/presbyterian-sunday-school-hall-temuka.html |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Civic Trust |language=en}}</ref>

=== Saint Peters Anglican church === thumb|St Peter's Anglican Church, Temuka (2023) Saint Peters was built in 1899 and has seating for 300 parishioners. It also sustained damage in the 2010 Canterbury earthquakes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Churches of Temuka, South Canterbury |url=https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nzlscant/temukachurches.htm |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=sites.rootsweb.com}}</ref>

==Education==

There are currently three primary and secondary schools in Temuka.

Temuka Primary School is a contributing primary for years 1 to 6<ref>{{TKI|2109|Temuka Primary School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|2109|y}} students. A public school for both primary and secondary students opened in 1866, and moved to the current site in the late 1870s. The secondary school moved to a separate site in 1968.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/85494271/temuka-public-education-celebrates-150-years-this-weekend|title=Temuka public education celebrates 150 years this weekend|newspaper=Timaru Herald|date=19 October 2016|first=Tess|last=Brunton}}</ref>

St. Joseph's School is a Catholic state-integrated full primary for years 1 to 8<ref>{{TKI|3532|St Joseph's School}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3532|y}} students. The school opened in 1883.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hail.to/st-josephs-school-temuka/publication/VdMedjs/article/SDwTuqI|title=125 Years Booklet|publisher=St Joseph's School Temuka|date=7 July 2020}}</ref>

Opihi College is a secondary school for years 7 to 13<ref>{{TKI|354|Opihi College}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|354|y}} students. It was originally called Temuka District High School, then Temuka High School when it moved to its current site, and in 2005 the name was changed to Opihi College.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opihicollege.school.nz/|title=Welcome to Opihi College|publisher=Opihi College|accessdate=8 November 2021}}</ref>

All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

== Sport and recreation ==

=== Rugby === The Temuka Rugby Club was established in 1875 with four players representing the All Blacks: Lachie Grant, Tom Coughlan, Archie Strang and Gus Spillane.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} Temuka Rugby Club |url=https://www.temukarugby.co.nz/history/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=www.temukarugby.co.nz}}</ref>

=== Temuka golf club === The Temuka golf club was established in 1907. Originally a 9 hole golf course, it has expanded to 18 holes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Temuka Golf Club |url=https://www.temukaholidaypark.co.nz/blog/567600 |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Temuka Holiday Park |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Temuka Golf Club |url=https://golfer.com.au/directory/golf-courses/temuka-golf-club/2/005946 |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=golfer.com.au}}</ref> The Temuka golf course suffered significant flooding in May 2021 after the Temuka river burst its banks and flood waters were up to two metres high on the golf course. Flooding also closed the golf course for six months in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashby-Coventry |first=Esther |date=2021-08-11 |title=Temuka Golf Club back to 18 holes after May flooding |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/sport/126042306/temuka-golf-club-back-to-18-holes-after-may-flooding |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

=== Temuka bowling club === The Temuka bowling club was founded in 1906. It is located in the Temuka Domain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-16 |title=Temuka Bowling Club – Bowls New Zealand Aotearoa |url=https://bowlsnewzealand.co.nz/temuka-bowling-club/ |access-date=2023-11-06 |language=en-US}}</ref> It holds a number of tournaments throughout the year including the Temuka 3000 at New Years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comer |first=Rachael |date=2023-01-04 |title=Temuka set to play host to more than 100 bowlers |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/130894933/temuka-set-to-play-host-to-more-than-100-bowlers |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

=== Swimming pool === The Temuka summer pool is open between mid November and late March each year. It is located at the Temuka Domain on Ferguson Drive. It has a 25 metre pool with 6 lanes and a toddlers pool. The pools are heated and outdoors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Temuka – Summer Pool – Timaru District Council |url=https://www.timaru.govt.nz/community/facilities/swimming-pools/temuka-summer-pool |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=www.timaru.govt.nz}}</ref>

== Museum == The Temuka courthouse museum has over 6000 items detailing the local history of Temuka. It is located in the former courthouse, which was built between 1900 and 1901 and used as a courthouse until 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venture Timaru Tourism – Temuka Courthouse Museum |url=https://www.vttourism.co.nz/activities/family-fun/temuka-courthouse-museum |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=www.vttourism.co.nz}}</ref> The building required earthquake strengthening in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holden |first=Joanne |date=2020-03-03 |title=Earthquake-strengthening of Temuka Courthouse Museum reliant on community |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/119902791/earthquakestrengthening-of-temuka-courthouse-museum-reliant-on-community |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> This was funded by a grant from the New Zealand Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pattemore |first=Lauren |date=2022-07-18 |title=Significant donation moves Temuka Courthouse Museum Project along |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/129303906/significant-donation-moves-temuka-courthouse-museum-project-along |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

==Business== Temuka is home to a large trucking company, Temuka Transport. This company has about 40 trucks which are used to service the South Canterbury area. Also located in the town is Temuka Homeware. This company produces ceramic crockery. Currently, the older and traditional items are seeing an increase of demand from collectors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-05-13 |title=Temuka treasures |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/temuka-treasures |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paddon |first=Esther |date=2012-04-28 |title=Temuka rewards the curious |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/features/6818953/Temuka-rewards-the-curious |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Located in Temuka are various businesses including supermarkets, takeaways, collectors, hardware stores, office supply stores, and art galleries.

Temuka is home to New Zealand Insulators (NZI), the major supplier of insulators to New Zealand's power industry. Temuka houses NZI's corporate headquarters, South Island warehouse, and local factory. Temuka is also home to the only bagpipe bag manufacturing business in New Zealand, Gannaway New Zealand, manufacturing cowhide, goatskin, and sheepskin bagpipe bags exported worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gannawaynz.co.nz/ |title=Welcome to Gannaway New Zealand – The Bagpipe Centre |website=Gannawaynz.co.nz |access-date=2016-02-17}}</ref>

==Notable residents== *Rachel Armitage (1873–1955), welfare worker *Ned Barry (1905–1993), rugby union player *Horace Fildes (1875–1937), postmaster, book collector and bibliographer *John Lister (born 1947), professional golfer *Richard Pearse (1877–1953), aviation pioneer *Hipa Te Maihāroa (?–1886), tribal leader, tohunga and prophet *Jeremiah Twomey (1847–1921), member of the New Zealand Legislative Council *Lachie Grant (1923–2002), rugby union player

==Climate==

{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Temuka (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1963–1994) | Jan record high C = 35.4 | Feb record high C = 39.4 | Mar record high C = 33.2 | Apr record high C = 30.0 | May record high C = 26.0 | Jun record high C = 24.0 | Jul record high C = 21.5 | Aug record high C = 22.0 | Sep record high C = 25.6 | Oct record high C = 29.6 | Nov record high C = 32.7 | Dec record high C = 33.4 | year record high C = 39.4 |Jan high C = 21.8 |Feb high C = 21.0 |Mar high C = 19.5 |Apr high C = 17.4 |May high C = 14.4 |Jun high C = 11.7 |Jul high C = 11.0 |Aug high C = 12.5 |Sep high C = 14.7 |Oct high C = 16.5 |Nov high C = 18.0 |Dec high C = 19.8 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 16.1 |Feb mean C = 15.8 |Mar mean C = 14.0 |Apr mean C = 11.5 |May mean C = 8.7 |Jun mean C = 6.0 |Jul mean C = 5.4 |Aug mean C = 6.9 |Sep mean C = 9.0 |Oct mean C = 10.8 |Nov mean C = 12.6 |Dec mean C = 14.6 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 10.4 |Feb low C = 10.5 |Mar low C = 8.5 |Apr low C = 5.6 |May low C = 3.0 |Jun low C = 0.3 |Jul low C = -0.1 |Aug low C = 1.3 |Sep low C = 3.4 |Oct low C = 5.0 |Nov low C = 7.1 |Dec low C = 9.5 | year low C = |Jan record low C = 1.9 |Feb record low C = 2.0 |Mar record low C = -2.0 |Apr record low C = -3.0 |May record low C = -7.7 |Jun record low C = -6.8 |Jul record low C = -6.3 |Aug record low C = -5.6 |Sep record low C = -4.2 |Oct record low C = -4.3 |Nov record low C = -1.0 |Dec record low C = 0.8 |year record low C = -7.7 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 40.3 |Feb rain mm = 60.4 |Mar rain mm = 58.9 |Apr rain mm = 38.3 |May rain mm = 49.0 |Jun rain mm = 30.9 |Jul rain mm = 51.4 |Aug rain mm = 48.2 |Sep rain mm = 42.3 |Oct rain mm = 50.2 |Nov rain mm = 53.6 |Dec rain mm = 62.0 |year rain mm = |source 1 = NIWA<ref name= NIWA> {{cite web |url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz |title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Temuka |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 19 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 5075) |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 14 Aug 2024}}</ref> }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Temuka}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20141218175613/http://temuka.net.nz/ Temuka Information & Services] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20030522015832/http://www.timaru.govt.nz/index.asp?sidenav=tdnav.html&mainpage=td%2Ftemuka%2F Timaru District Council page on Temuka] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080330040536/http://www.southisland.org.nz/temuka.asp Tourism website for the central South Island of New Zealand] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071103141415/http://www.destination.co.nz/temuka/ Destination New Zealand, Temuka] * [http://www.opihicollege.school.nz/ Opihi College]

{{Timaru District, New Zealand}}

Category:Timaru District Category:Populated places in the Canterbury Region