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Golden Bay Directory - Services, attractions, accommodation, organisations and activities available in and around Golden Bay, New Zealand. Get your organisation listed in the Golden Bay Directory Get your organisation listed in the Golden Bay Directory

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.

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 region’s 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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