Gimmerburn

Gimmerburn is a farming community on the Maniototo Plain in the Otago region of New Zealand.

Gimmerburn
Settlement
Gimmerburn Gimmerburn, New Zealand
Coordinates: 45.163°S 169.997°E / -45.163; 169.997
Country	New Zealand
Region	Otago
Territorial authority	Central Otago
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)
Local iwi	Ngāi Tahu

It is situated 11 km southwest of Ranfurly and largely consists of sheep and dairy farms with the focal point of the community being the Gimmerburn Domain, a sporting and recreational complex.

History

Gimmerburn was originally surveyed by John Turnbull Thomson who named the area, and is part of the "Thomson's Barnyard", a group of localities named for farm animals.

Gimmerburn was principally sheep country until the development of the Maniototo Irrigation Scheme. Following the opening of the irrigation scheme in 1984, farms were able to sustain large dairy farm cattle herds.

At its peak, Gimmerburn had its own post office and school, the latter being formed in 1882 with classes being held in a shepherds hut.

References

• Sorrell, P., (1999) The Cyclopedia of Otago & Southland. Dunedin, NZ: Dunedin City Council. Vol. 4, p. 484. ISBN 0-9597722-9-4