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Hororātā
Description
NameHororātāDescriptionHororātā township stretches around the base of Hororātā Downs, and its name references 'horo' as a ravine or landslide, rata is the red flowered tree in the Windwhistle Hills, where the source of the Hororata River is. The township is nestled on the banks of the Hororāta River, 5kms south of Glentunnel and about 50kms west of Christchurch.
Hororātā was established as a small farming town, and was also the site of a substation from when power began to flow from Lake Coleridge. The nearest railway station was in Coalgate.
There are significant heritage buildings in Hororātā. The fine stone Anglican St John's church was built with assistance from the former Premier of New Zealand, Sir John Hall but was badly damaged in the September 2010 earthquake. A prominent member of the community, Hall also made generous contributions towards the Hororātā Reserve.
Coton's Cottage at the eastern entrance to the township, is a renovated sod cottage, similar to the many built by early settlers who had no easy access to timber.
The Hororātā Hotel, a popular stopover for pie-loving skiers, was also damaged in the earthquake but has been transformed into a potter’s studio and art gallery selling the work of artists of the district.Geolocation[1]
Hororātā was established as a small farming town, and was also the site of a substation from when power began to flow from Lake Coleridge. The nearest railway station was in Coalgate.
There are significant heritage buildings in Hororātā. The fine stone Anglican St John's church was built with assistance from the former Premier of New Zealand, Sir John Hall but was badly damaged in the September 2010 earthquake. A prominent member of the community, Hall also made generous contributions towards the Hororātā Reserve.
Coton's Cottage at the eastern entrance to the township, is a renovated sod cottage, similar to the many built by early settlers who had no easy access to timber.
The Hororātā Hotel, a popular stopover for pie-loving skiers, was also damaged in the earthquake but has been transformed into a potter’s studio and art gallery selling the work of artists of the district.Geolocation[1]
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Licensed booth at farewell meeting of the Hororāta Trotting Club, Hororāta Racecourse, 10 March 1984

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More InformationWalk the Hororātā Township Trail!

Attribution
Taken FromTe Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Hororātā. Selwyn Stories, accessed 28/03/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/2887