The image below was captured in the small town of Eltham in the Taranaki Region of New Zealand.
Eltham is South Taranaki’s second largest town. Population was 1980 in the 2006 Census, but this figure continues to slowly fall.
Eltham is known as the cradle of the Taranaki dairy industry. It was also the first place to export butter to England.
Settlement began in Eltham in the 1870s. In 1884, the year Eltham was declared a town district, settlers, mainly from England, arrived there and the town had a population of 25. Eltham was declared a borough in 1901, and became part of South Taranaki District with the local body amalgamations of 1989.
The town seems to be in decline with many of the shops/businesses closed down. The architecture is fantastic, much of it original, it almost has an American Wild West feel to it.
Many more images to follow of this interesting little town.
Great image, I passed through Eltham just before Christmas, it’s like so many other small NZ towns, slowly fading away. Some great photographic opportunities to be had though. Cheers Jason
Thanks Jason, I only had an hour or so, had planned to go back but it didnt happen. i need to process the other shots, it’s a great place with many nice people still there, but it does appear to be dying.