Pukeuri

Pukeuri is a settlement just north of Oamaru in the North Otago region of New Zealand's South Island. It is located near the coast in the Waitaki District that straddles the border of Otago and Canterbury. According to the 2001 census, it has a usually resident population of 183; 99 males and 84 females, a decline of 21 people or 10.3% since the 1996 census. The settlement's major employer is the Alliance abattoir, which is North Otago's biggest employer. A large fire in January 2006 came at the height of the killing season and caused significant disruptions for both workers and customers.

Pukeuri is the location of the junction of State Highways 1 and 83, and it used to be the junction of the Main South Line and Kurow Branch railways as well. The Main South Line still runs through the town, though it no longer caters for passenger traffic. Construction of the branch line began in 1874 and Pukeuri served as the junction until the line's closure in 1983.

A plaque next to State Highway 1 to the north of the settlement (close to the farming community of Hilderthorpe) marks the 45th parallel.

External links

* [http://www2.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/CommProfiles.nsf/FindInfobyArea/600811-au 2001 census data and community profile for Pukeuri]
* [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/423465/646695 News article on fire at Pukeuri meatworks]