Finegand, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Finegand is a locality in the South Otago
region of New Zealand
's South Island
. Named after Finegand
, Scotland
, it is situated on the Clutha River
south of Balclutha
. Other nearby settlements include Otanomomo
and Waitepeka to the south and Kakapuaka to the northwest.
. A major freezing works
operated by Silver Fern Farms is located in Finegand. A multi-million dollar upgrade of the facility was undertaken in 2007.
road, which meets State Highway 1
just to the north in Balclutha.
On 15 December 1885, the first section of the Catlins River Branch
railway opened through Finegand. This branch line
ultimately terminated in Tahakopa
, with the Finegand station 3.6 km from the junction with the Main South Line
in Balclutha. At its peak in the first half of the 20th century, up to sixteen trains per week would pass through Finegand, primarily mixed train
s. However, the line's profitability declined after World War II
and it closed beyond Finegand on 27 February 1971. The first 4.05 km remain in operation as an industrial siding
to serve the SFF freezing works and it is shunt
ed as required by passing trains on the Main South Line.
South Otago
South Otago lies in the south east of the South Island of New Zealand. As the name suggests, it forms the southernmost part of the geographical region of Otago....
region of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
. Named after Finegand
Finegand
Finegand is a farming hamlet located in eastern Perth and Kinross, Scotland and also refers historically to the portion of lands surrounding the hamlet...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, it is situated on the Clutha River
Clutha River
The Clutha River / Mata-Au is the second longest river in New Zealand flowing south-southeast through Central and South Otago from Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, south west of Dunedin. It is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and the swiftest, with a catchment of ,...
south of Balclutha
Balclutha, New Zealand
Balclutha is a town in Otago, it lies towards the end of the Clutha River on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is about halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill on the Main South Line railway, State Highway 1 and the Southern Scenic Route...
. Other nearby settlements include Otanomomo
Otanomomo
Otanomomo is a locality in the South Otago region of New Zealand's South Island. It is situated on the banks of the Clutha River, roughly 6 km south of Balclutha. Nearby settlements include Finegand to the north, Paretai, Puerua, and Romahapa to the south, and Waitepeka to the west.- Education :A...
and Waitepeka to the south and Kakapuaka to the northwest.
Economy
Finegand is located in a rural area and thus the economic emphasis is on agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. A major freezing works
Slaughterhouse
A slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
operated by Silver Fern Farms is located in Finegand. A multi-million dollar upgrade of the facility was undertaken in 2007.
Transport
Finegand is situated on the Southern Scenic RouteSouthern Scenic Route
The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist highway in New Zealand linking Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the iconic Milford Road to Dunedin via, Riverton, Invercargill and The Catlins...
road, which meets State Highway 1
State Highway 1 (New Zealand)
State Highway 1 is the longest and most significant road in the New Zealand roading network, running the length of both main islands. It appears on road maps as SH 1 and on road signs as a white number 1 on a red shield, but it has the official designations SH 1N in the North Island, SH 1S in the...
just to the north in Balclutha.
On 15 December 1885, the first section of the Catlins River Branch
Catlins River Branch
The Catlins River Branch was a branch line railway that formed part of New Zealand's national rail network. It ran through the Catlins region in southwestern Otago and was built in sections between 1879 and 1915. It closed in 1971 except for the first four kilometres, which remain open as the...
railway opened through Finegand. This branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
ultimately terminated in Tahakopa
Tahakopa
Tahakopa is a small settlement in The Catlins, an area of the southern South Island of New Zealand. It is located 25 kilometres northeast of Waikawa on the Tahakopa River. On 17 February 1915, Tahakopa became the terminus of the Catlins River Branch railway and retained this status until the...
, with the Finegand station 3.6 km from the junction with the Main South Line
Main South Line
The Main South Line, sometimes referred to as part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, is a railroad line that runs north and south from Lyttelton in New Zealand through Christchurch and along the east coast of the South Island to Invercargill via Dunedin...
in Balclutha. At its peak in the first half of the 20th century, up to sixteen trains per week would pass through Finegand, primarily mixed train
Mixed train
A mixed train is a train that hauls both passenger and freight cars or wagons. In the early days of railways they were quite common, but by the 20th century they were largely confined to branch lines with little traffic. As the trains provided passengers with very slow service, mixed trains have...
s. However, the line's profitability declined after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and it closed beyond Finegand on 27 February 1971. The first 4.05 km remain in operation as an industrial siding
Rail siding
A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end...
to serve the SFF freezing works and it is shunt
Shunt (railway operations)
Shunting, in railway operations, involves the process of sorting items of rolling stock into complete train sets or consists. The United States terminology is "switching"....
ed as required by passing trains on the Main South Line.