“What a beauty spot”.

Anna Howard - Elwood, Melbourne, Australia

Some local Karamea history

This original settlement was on the South Terrace but poor soil forced the inhabitants down to the river valley. One side of the river (Umere) was known as the Land of Promise, the other side (Arapito) as the Promised Land. Farming was to become a major industry, but timber, flax and gold also provided a means to a living. The Murchison earthquake in 1929 caused the silting up of the harbour and cut the community's road link for about two years.

Dairying remains a major industry in Karamea. Sphagnum moss, possum control, fishing, fine furniture production, horticultural tomato growers and a plant nursery also provide income, while the local service industry employs approximately a quarter of the total workforce.

Some recommended reading on Karamea

Some of the following books may be hard to obtain, especially if you are visiting our site from overseas. Don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to secure some local reading before arriving in Karamea, or if you can wait (and would like a good read while on holiday) we do have a supply of some of these books available for purchase at the Last Resort.

• North West Nelson Tramping Guide, by Derek Shaw. Published by Nikau Press, Box 602. Nelson.
• Buller Walks, by Terry Sumner. Published by Nikau Press.
• Karamea A Story of Success, Editor Dulcie Harmon. Published by Karamea Centennial Committee.
• Department of Conservation publications include specific track details.
• The Heaphy & its People, by Barry Chalmers.

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