Takaka
The township of Takaka, founded in 1854, is the
main business, service and shopping centre for GOLDEN BAY. The Information
Centre is the first building on the left as you arrive. The
Department
of Conservation office in the centre of town also provides appropriate
information.
Commercial Street, once the site of the railway
line linking Central Takaka with the wharf at Waitapu,
is the hub of the community.
In close proximity and within walking distance
of off- street parking are all the services one needs and many that
one might only expect in larger communities (we are especially proud
of our own "Village Theatre" - actually a cinema).
The activities of the various businesses in town are coordinated
by a small but dedicated "Mainstreet" committee who organise
several events, including the Santa Parade and January Gala Day
and are responsible for the ongoing streetscaping improvements to
our main shopping street.
Just south of the township is Recreational Park,
best known for the annual late January A&P Show, always a memorable
event. Also at the park are the rugby
ground, tennis courts
and the Golden Bay Playhouse, the venue of live theatre owned by
the enthusiastic local drama club. The town boasts many cultural
activities including Citizens
(brass) Band and Orchestra.
There are churches
of every denomination and clubs
and societies that cater for
every age and interest.
To cater for the ever increasing number of visitors
to the area there is now a wide range of accommodation
available and a wide selection of restaurants
and cafés.
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Takaka Playground |
A stroll down the main street will also reveal
the importance of the very active and well recognised Arts
and Crafts community
of our area.
Since the demise of the early mining activities
of GOLDEN BAY, Takaka has become a centre for the agricultural community.
Mainly diary farming, but with a diverse spread of horticultural
products including a noticeable increase in the provision of
organic produce. The
Bay is ideally suited to dairy farming, with some of the highest
annual sunshine hours in the country and rainfall of between 2,000
and 3,000mms. The Takaka dairy factory is therefore the largest
single employer in the area. Over 1 million litres of milk are collected
each day during the peak November season. From this the factory
will produce over 10,000 tonnes of butter annually for the European
market and 5,000 tonnes of specialised protein products for world
markets. A sister factory at Brightwater near Nelson produces milk
powder. The combined efforts of the regions production generates
over $100 million worth of export earnings per annum to the New
Zealand economy.
Not to be forgotten are our social services.
Takaka boasts a Community
Hospital, Medical Centre
and Dental Care that
are the envy of many large communities. Perhaps it is not surprising
that such a paradise as GOLDEN BAY has no trouble in attracting
qualified and competent staff for our community services. This is
obvious in the quality of our schools.
Takaka and its immediate environs are well served by 3 Primary
schools and a High school
offering a full curriculum range, including transition education
and a strong literacy support programme. Its outdoor education programme
benefits from the local environment.
Continue to read information about the >>>> Golden Bay Museum
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