Tarras

Tarras is a small farming settlement in Central Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on the slopes above the upper reaches of the Clutha Valley, on State Highway 8 not far from the southern end of the Lindis Pass. Most farms in the Tarras district run sheep, principally merino sheep farmed for their super-fine wool. Other sheep breeds, beef cattle and deer are also raised and in recent years a number of vineyards have been established in the region growing mainly pinot noir and riesling grapes.

Key institutions of the community of Tarras include Tarras School (whose friends group published the well-known children's books about Shrek, the hermit Merino), Tarras Church (Anglican & Presbyterian, known for its historic kneelers created to celebrate the centennial of New Zealand women's suffrage), Tarras Rural Women (publishers of the community newsletter, Tarras Talk), and the Tarras Tearooms (historic waystation for travelers through Lindis Pass).

Further reading

• Duff, Geoffrey P. Sheep May Safely Graze: The Story of Morven Hills Station and the Tarras District, Central Otago. The Author, 1978.
• A Tapestry of Tarras: Local Stories Told in Stitches. Dunedin: [Women’s Division of Federated Farmers, Tarras Branch, 1997].

External links

• Tarras Community Trust
• Tarras School
• Learning from the Lindis