Gummies Bush is a farming locality in Southland, New Zealand, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the Aparima River, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of Riverton, and 18 kilometres (11 mi) south from Otautau. It is said to be named after whaler and later pig-farmer James Leader, nicknamed "Gummie" because he had no teeth. Leader had a camp in the bush in this location.[1] To Māori, the area was known as Opuaki. It was apparently named after a person, Puaki, a word which means "to come forth in position," or "to come forth in language – that is to utter.[2]
Gummies Bush | |
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.svg)  Gummies Bush | |
| Coordinates: 46°17′S 168°01′E / 46.283°S 168.017°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Island | South Island |
| Region | Southland |
| Territorial authority | Southland District |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) | 9883 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |