# Tarras

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Village in Otago, New Zealand

Tarras Village Tarras Location of Tarras within New Zealand Coordinates: 44°50′S 169°25′E / 44.833°S 169.417°E / -44.833; 169.417 Country New Zealand Region Otago Territorial authority Central Otago District Elevation 290 m (950 ft) Time zone UTC+12 (NZST) • Summer (DST) UTC+13 (NZDT) Area code 03 Local iwi Ngāi Tahu

Tarras (July 2021)

**Tarras** is a small farming settlement in [Central Otago](/source/Central_Otago), in the [South Island](/source/South_Island) of New Zealand.

Tarras is located on the slopes above the upper reaches of the [Clutha Valley](/source/Clutha_River_%2F_Mata-Au), on [State Highway 8](/source/New_Zealand_State_Highway_8). It is the first village reached by travellers heading south through the [Lindis Pass](/source/Lindis_Pass), and is close to the junction where travellers from [Aoraki / Mount Cook](/source/Aoraki_%2F_Mount_Cook) turn west towards [Lake Hāwea](/source/Lake_H%C4%81wea_(town)), [Wānaka](/source/W%C4%81naka), and [Haast Pass / Tioripatea](/source/Haast_Pass_%2F_Tioripatea).

## Farming and agriculture

Most farms in the Tarras district run [sheep](/source/Sheep), principally [merino](/source/Merino) farmed for their super-fine wool. Some also raise other sheep breeds and [deer](/source/Deer). Many farms have converted to [beef cattle](/source/Beef_cattle) since the 2010 introduction of large-scale irrigation.[1]

[Shrek](/source/Shrek_(sheep)), a hermit Merino sheep, was caught in the hills of Tarras on 15 April 2004,[2] after hiding away in caves for six years.[3] He was shorn live on national television,[4][5] to produce fleece for men's coats.[6][7] Shrek was [euthanised](/source/Animal_euthanasia) on 6 June 2011 on a veterinarian's advice, at the age of 16.[2]

[Vineyards](/source/Vineyards) have been established in the area since 2000. The vineyards grow mainly [pinot noir](/source/Pinot_noir) and [riesling](/source/Riesling) grapes, with some plantings of [pinot gris](/source/Pinot_gris). The Tarras vineyards include Maori Point Vineyard and Swallows Crossing Vineyard.[8][9] They are formally classified as being in the [Bendigo](/source/Bendigo%2C_New_Zealand) sub-region of the [Central Otago wine region](/source/Central_Otago_wine_region).[10]

## Sunny and dry climate

Tarras is one of the driest areas in New Zealand, with annual rainfall of between 300 and 500 millimetres (12 and 20 in).[11]

The valley around Tarras is the sunniest in Otago, with over 2,100 sunshine hours per year.[12] The valley is hot in summer, with a median average daily temperature over 22 °C (295 K), and cold in winter: the median average daily minimum is then below −2 °C (28 °F).[12]

## Community

The Anglican and Presbyterian Tarras Church includes kneelers created to celebrate the centennial of [New Zealand women's suffrage](/source/Women's_suffrage_in_New_Zealand).[13]

Tarras Rural Women publish the community newsletter, *Tarras Talk*.[13]

The Tarras Tearooms is a historic waystation for travellers through the Lindis Pass.[13]

## Education

Tarras School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[14][15] with a roll of 30 as of March 2026.[16]

The school has published a children's books about [Shrek the sheep](/source/Shrek_(sheep)) to raise funds for the school and its students.[17] The book was written by school children and edited by teachers and parents.[18]

## International airport proposal

Main article: [Central Otago Airport](/source/Central_Otago_Airport)

In July 2022, an investigative journalist revealed[19] that [Christchurch Airport](/source/Christchurch_Airport) had been secretly buying up farmland between highways [SH 8](/source/State_Highway_8_(New_Zealand)) and [SH 8a](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=State_Highway_8a_(New_Zealand)&action=edit&redlink=1) next to Tarras, with the intention of creating a new international airport.[20][21] After the airport company was forced to announce their plans, there was widespread concern within the community and indeed throughout Central Otago about the proposed airport.[19][22][23][24]

## External links

- [Tarras Community Trust](http://www.tarrasnz.com/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190614043647/http://tarrasnz.com/) 2019-06-14 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Tarras School](http://www.tarras.school.nz/)

- [Learning from the Lindis](http://historyrfd.net/lindis/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075103/http://historyrfd.net/lindis/) 2016-03-04 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-duff_1-0)** Duff, Geoffrey P (1978). [*Sheep May Safely Graze: The Story of Morven Hills Station and the Tarras District*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3NJ_MgAACAAJ). Central Otago District: G Duff.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_2-1) ["Shrek the celebrity sheep dies"](http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/163660/shrek-celebrity-sheep-dies). *[Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times)*. 6 June 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120110074931/http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/163660/shrek-celebrity-sheep-dies) from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Hermit sheep 'Shrek' shorn of 6-year-old woolly fleece"](http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-04/29/content_327336.htm). *China Daily*. 29 April 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071218211454/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-04/29/content_327336.htm) from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["NZ's famous sheep gets TV haircut"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3665735.stm). BBC. 28 April 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071006183843/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3665735.stm) from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Booth, Jenny (28 April 2004). ["Shrek the sheep shorn at last"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090516074400/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article845690.ece). London: BBC. Archived from [the original](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article845690.ece) on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["2002 Australian wool production survey, giving (p. 6) average Merino fleece weights"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080903145125/http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/aap/sl/wool/bull4544.pdf) (PDF). *agric.wa.gov.au*. Archived from [the original](http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/content/aap/sl/wool/bull4544.pdf) (PDF) on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Merino stud ram listed (p 3) with fleece weight of 16.2 kg"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080719034323/http://www.sunnyvalley.com.au/Docs/SunnyValley2004Newsletter.pdf) (PDF). *sunnyvalley.com.au*. Archived from [the original](http://www.sunnyvalley.com.au/Docs/SunnyValley2004Newsletter.pdf) (PDF) on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-maoripoint_8-0)** ["Maori Point Vineyard"](http://www.maoripoint.co.nz).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-swallows_9-0)** ["Swallows Crossing Vineyard"](http://www.swallowscrossing.co.nz).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cowa_10-0)** ["Bendigo Vineyards and Wineries"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180120065144/http://cowa.org.nz/vineyard-directory/bendigo.html). *Central Otago Winegrowers Association*. Archived from [the original](http://www.cowa.org.nz/vineyard-directory/bendigo.html) on 2018-01-20. Retrieved 2015-04-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ORC_11-0)** ["Lindis catchment and Bendigo-Tarras Basin: Information Sheet"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114545/http://www.orc.govt.nz/Documents/Publications/Regional/Water/minimum%20flow/Lindis%20Information%20sheet%20-%202014.pdf) (PDF). *Otago Regional Council*. April 2014. p. 2. Archived from [the original](http://www.orc.govt.nz/Documents/Publications/Regional/Water/minimum%20flow/Lindis%20Information%20sheet%20-%202014.pdf) (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-04-17.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NIWA_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NIWA_12-1) Macara, G.R. [*The Climate and Weather of Otago*](http://docs.niwa.co.nz/library/public/NIWAsts67.pdf) (PDF) (2nd ed.). [NIWA](/source/National_Institute_of_Water_and_Atmospheric_Research). p. 31.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tapestry_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tapestry_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-tapestry_13-2) *A Tapestry of Tarras: Local Stories Told in Stitches*. Dunedin: [Women’s Division of Federated Farmers, Tarras Branch, 1997].

1. **[^](#cite_ref-official3843_14-0)** ["Tarras School Official School Website"](http://www.tarras.school.nz). *tarras.school.nz*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-moe3843_15-0)** ["Tarras School Ministry of Education School Profile"](https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=3843). *educationcounts.govt.nz*. [Ministry of Education](/source/Ministry_of_Education_(New_Zealand)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ero3843_16-0)** ["Tarras School Education Review Office Report"](https://www.ero.govt.nz/institution/3843/tarras-school). *ero.govt.nz*. [Education Review Office](/source/Education_Review_Office).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-centraltourism_17-0)** ["Cromwell and Bannockburn"](https://centralotagonz.com/discover/our-towns-and-communities/cromwell-and-bannockburn). *centralotagonz.com*. Central Otago Tourism.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-childrensbookshop_18-0)** ["Shrek: The Famous Hermit Sheep of Tarras"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015456/https://www.thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/p/nz-picture-books-shrek-the-famous-hermit-sheep-of-tarras). *thechildrensbookshop.co.nz*. The Children's Bookshop. Archived from [the original](https://www.thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/p/nz-picture-books-shrek-the-famous-hermit-sheep-of-tarras) on November 12, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_19-1) ["Tarras: A tiny town in airport shock - full report"](https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/tarras-a-tiny-town-in-airport-shock-full-report/). *Crux*. Retrieved 2022-09-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["New airport mooted for New Zealand's South Island ski area"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/23/new-airport-mooted-for-new-zealands-south-island-ski-area). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. 23 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Price, Mark (22 July 2020). ["New airport mooted for Central Otago"](https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/new-airport-mooted-central-otago). *[Otago Daily Times](/source/Otago_Daily_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Small Otago village locals outraged at proposed airport"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724170603/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2020/07/small-otago-village-locals-outraged-at-proposed-airport.html). *[Newshub](/source/Newshub)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2020/07/small-otago-village-locals-outraged-at-proposed-airport.html) on July 24, 2020. Retrieved 2022-09-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Tarras airport proposal rejected by 74% of Upper Clutha residents survey finds"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/436211/tarras-airport-proposal-rejected-by-74-percent-of-upper-clutha-residents-survey-finds). *[RNZ](/source/RNZ)*. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2022-09-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Protest against Tarras International Airport proposal"](https://metronews.co.nz/article/protest-against-tarras-airport-proposal). *METRONEWS*. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-08.

v t e Central Otago District, New Zealand Seat: Alexandra Populated places Cromwell Ward Bannockburn Bendigo Cromwell Kawarau Gorge Lindis Pass Lowburn Pisa Moorings Tarras Maniototo Ward Danseys Pass Gimmerburn Ida Valley Kyeburn Naseby Oturehua Paerau Patearoa Ranfurly Waipiata Wedderburn Teviot Valley Ward Ettrick Lake Roxburgh Millers Flat Raes Junction Roxburgh Vincent Ward Alexandra Becks Cambrians Clyde Earnscleugh Fruitlands Galloway Lauder Omakau Ophir Poolburn St Bathans Geographic features Cromwell Gorge Lake Dunstan Greenland Reservoir Lake Manuherikia Maniototo Plain Manorburn Dam Facilities and attractions Alexandra Aerodrome Alexandra Blossom Festival Alexandra bridges Deadman's Point Bridge Central Otago wine region Highlands Motorsport Park Molyneux Park Government District Council Mayor Regional Council Other The Cromwell Argus Dunstan High School

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tarras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarras) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarras?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.