Bluff, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bluff
Motupōhue (Māori)
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Town
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Bluff from Stewart Island ferry
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Southland Region |
| City | Invercargill |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 10.14 km2 (3.92 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 1,840 |
| • Density | 181.5/km2 (470.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) |
9814
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| Area code(s) | 03 |
Bluff (called Motupōhue in Māori) is a town and seaport in the Southland region of New Zealand. It is on the southern coast of the South Island. Bluff is the main port for the city of Invercargill.
It is the southernmost town on mainland New Zealand. People often say "from Cape Reinga to The Bluff" to mean the entire length of the country. This shows how important Bluff is as a southern landmark.
The Bluff area was one of the first places in New Zealand where Europeans settled. The first ship known to enter the harbour was the Perseverance in 1813. It was looking for flax to trade. The first European settlers arrived in 1823 or 1824. This makes Bluff one of the oldest permanent European settlements in the country. The town was officially named Campbelltown in 1856. It became a borough (a type of town) in 1878. In 1917, its name was changed to Bluff.
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Where is Bluff?
Bluff is about 30 kilometres (19 miles) by road from Invercargill. It is at the end of a peninsula. This peninsula forms the western side of Bluff Harbour. The port is in the narrow entrance channel of the harbour.
Bluff is also the end point of New Zealand State Highway 1. This highway runs all the way from the top of the North Island. At Stirling Point, just south of the town, you can find a famous signpost. This signpost shows the distance and direction to many major cities and places around the world. It even points to the Equator and the South Pole!
Bluff Hill / Motupōhue
The town of Bluff is dominated by a large hill called Bluff Hill / Motupōhue. It stands 265 metres (869 feet) tall. This hill helps protect the town from strong westerly winds. There is a path along the shore through native bush that leads up to the hill. Early whalers used to call this hill Old Man's Bluff. The town is named after this hill.
East of Bluff, across the harbour entrance, is Tiwai Point. This is where New Zealand's only aluminium smelter is located. Alumina (the raw material for aluminium) is shipped here from Australia. The smelter gets its electricity from the Manapouri Power Station in Fiordland National Park.
A special chain sculpture is on the coast near Bluff. It represents a Māori belief. This belief says that Stewart Island is anchored to the South Island. There is a similar sculpture in Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island. It shows the other end of the chain.
What Happens in Bluff?
South Port is the company that runs the Port of Bluff. The Southland Regional Council owns most of this company. It is a smaller port compared to big ones like Ports of Auckland. However, it handles about 2.2 million tonnes of cargo each year. Much of this cargo is shipped along the New Zealand coast.
The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is very important for the port. It helps keep the port busy. Also, exploring for fossil fuels in the Great South Basin might bring more activity to the port in the future.
Bluff Oysters
Bluff Harbour is where the ferry to Stewart Island / Rakiura departs twice a day. Stewart Island is about 60 kilometres (37 miles) south across Foveaux Strait. The harbour is also home to the Foveaux Strait oyster fleet. Bluff oysters are famous for being delicious and are a special treat all over New Zealand. Bluff even has an annual oyster festival!
The number of oysters that can be caught was greatly reduced in the 1990s. This was because a tiny protozoan parasite called Bonamia exitiosa affected the oyster beds.
Fun Things to See and Do
Bluff used to have a very unique house called the Paua House. It was created by Fred and Myrtle Flutey. This ordinary house was completely covered on the outside with shiny pāua shells. The inside was also decorated with many pāua shells and ornaments.
After the owners passed away, the house became a museum. However, it was later sold. In 2007, the exhibits were moved to Canterbury Museum in Christchurch. You can now see them there on permanent display since July 2008.
The Bluff Maritime Museum is another great place to visit. It has a large collection of models, boats, and old items. You can see a working triple expansion engine and a full-sized oystering boat called the Monica.
Learning in Bluff
Bluff has two schools for younger students.
- Bluff School is a state primary school. It teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8. The school opened in 1867.
- St Teresa's School is a state-integrated Catholic school. It also teaches students from Year 1 to Year 8. This school has been open since at least 1901.
Famous People from Bluff
Several notable people have connections to Bluff:
- Hannah Ward Barron (1829–1898) was a successful businesswoman and hotel owner.
- Sir Joseph George Ward (1856–1930) was a very important person. He was the Mayor of Campbelltown (Bluff's old name). He also founded a company and was a Member of Parliament. He even served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand twice!
- Dorothy May De Lany (1908–1970) was the first woman to be president of a trade union in New Zealand.
Images for kids
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Signpost at Stirling Point, Bluff
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Awarua Plain (top), Tiwai Point (centre) and Bluff (lower left) viewed from the International Space Station in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Bluff (Nueva Zelanda) para niños
