It’s a surprisingly comforting feeling, a nostalgic moment for many Kiwis, pulling into this town and spying the sign, this day made out clearly against the blue skies and brick wall.
Yes, Temuka, you’re here. And it’s that classic kiwi pottery, rightly famous in New Zealand, named after this rural town on the Canterbury plains, that has given you those warm fuzzies....
A myriad of plates, bowls, and platters…
It’s a pure New Zealand moment. Walk into the expansive shop and, if you’re a kiwi from (a little) way back, be surrounded by your childhood, and a stunning range of contemporary updates. Plates, bowls, platters, there’s an ample range to eye. It’s testament to the brand that it’s been around for all this time. It certainly is hard wearing iconic kiwi craft, with a special style to it too.
It started out here in Temuka in the 1930s, small items were made for Christmas presents (did we mention presents... it’s nearly that time again...). Its history makes fascinating reading, from the early times of its wartime role through World War II making utility items, and then returning to the stoneware pieces of which New Zealanders have become so fond. It would be fair to say that Temuka has been behind many a good casserole, and still is!
And there have been changes of colour, design and range along the way. The sushi plate, dipping bowls, noodle bowls, ramen bowls, pasta bowls… all reflections of New Zealand’s constantly evolving food landscape.
Fierce ovens… and other famous kiwis - there’s a lot to find in this rural town
And what’s in a name? In this case, perhaps another connection linking this stunning stoneware to this South Canterbury town. On one interpretation, Temuka refers to fierce or long-lasting ovens… a connection perhaps to those, once in Temuka, firing the stoneware to its hard and durable state.
After time admiring iconic kiwi pottery, you’ll soon find this rural town is also proudly home to another local legend, Richard Pearse. He famously raced the Wright Brothers to become the first person to fly. While the date of his first 50 yard flight in the early 1900s remains a little unclear, we like to think, as one clearly inventive and clever New Zealander, that he might have made the first flight in the world…
So a road trip stop in Temuka should definitely be on your radar - this classic rural town offers a wonderful time finding out, on the fly, more about New Zealand classic cookware, and other proud kiwi moments…
Your road trip companion….
To find more on The FoodPath NZ’s handpicked eateries and food producers, for our collection of spot on New Zealand food moments, including in Temuka, download our New Zealand food trail guides app here.