Moeraki

Moeraki is a small fishing village on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It was once the location of a whaling station. In the 1870s, local interests believed it could become the main port for the north Otago area and a railway line, the Moeraki Branch, was built to the settlement and opened in 1877. However, the port could not compete with Oamaru and the lack of traffic as well as stability problems caused by difficult terrain led to the closure of the railway in 1879 after only two years' operation.

Moeraki
Village
View from Moeraki Esplanade Reserve in 2009
Coordinates: 45.362°S 170.841°E / -45.362; 170.841
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityWaitaki District
WardWaihemo Ward
CommunityWaihemo Community
Electorates
Government
  Territorial authorityWaitaki District Council
  Regional councilOtago Regional Council
  Mayor of WaitakiGary Kircher
  Waitaki MPMiles Anderson
  Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
  Total8.53 km2 (3.29 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)
  Total120
  Density14/km2 (36/sq mi)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

The village is best known for the nearby Moeraki Boulders.

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