Temuka History
Pottery has been produced on the Temuka site since the 1930’s. Arthur Toplis factory manager for NEECO (National Electric and Engineering Company) started producing small items such as tobacco jars for Christmas presents for New Zealand Insulators’ customers (Temuka Potterys' parent company)
 Tabacco Jar Photo courtesy of the North Otago Museum |
1930s: Products made included teapots, vases, tobacco jars and mixing bowls.
1941: Thomas Lovatt (who had done contract work on electric jug design) was appointed General Manager.Production
now included mixing bowls.
1945: During World War II production was restricted to electric jugs, mixing bowls,chamber pots, hot water bottles and teapots for the Indian army. Small decorative pieces were still made as gifts for staff at Christmas, or as promotional give-aways.
1947: Work on cups and saucers for New Zealand Railways
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1950's advertisement | The wording opposite reads: "The Potters wheel spins .... deft fingers press and mould and shape lifeless clay into articles of beauty and utility. During the war years there was more utility than beauty. Insulators made in our Temuka factory were in use as far afield as India, keeping vital communication links open. Now we are swinging back to peace time-production of lovely Temuka ware giving New Zealand the mixing bowls, basins, teapots, jugs and vases so urgently needed" |
1950: After a major factory fire production began on electric jug bodies and tankard jugs for the Union Steam Ship Company
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Temuka Warehouse 1962 Photo from South Canterbury Photo News Vol.1. No.1. - 1962 | Early Temuka Pottery Photo Courtesy of North Otago Museum |
1966: NEECO was bought by Cable Price Downer Limited and Lovatt was replaced as manager. Production of domestic pottery declined
Riverstone Temuka Pottery |
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 1970's Shop Display |
1970: Coffee and tea sets, casseroles and storage jars were introduced. Temuka stoneware dinner sets were added to the range - in varying shades of brown. Due to the increase in demand for Temuka Product a separate pottery manufacturing area was built at the factory in 1977.
1980: Temuka ware moved away from plain brown ceramics into other colours such as Alpine Mist, a grey design with a dark speckled area around the borders. Also a greater range of shapes were introduced into the market expanding the tableware available and moving into bakeware.
Colour then became more prevalent, designs such as wildflower, spring bloom and forest green came into being. These hand painted designs complimented the spray glazed decorations
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| Forest Green Temuka Pottery | Spring Bloom Temuka Pottery | Multi-coloured Temuka Logo |
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| Orchard Road |
1990: Bold and attractive colours were established. With the rise of boutique cafés and bars in New Zealand, Temuka ware became popular as a rugged, durable and yet aesthetically pleasing way to present food.
Many hundreds of designs were specifically created for cafes across New Zealand looking for an individual and distinctive ‘look’. New ranges of shapes were added for tableware and bakeware.
Experimental shapes such as planter pots and umbrella stands carried the Temuka name.
New Zealand Insulators is a subsidiary of the Tiri Group.
2009: A new look web site gives direct purchasing access to the Temuka factory.
The North Otago Museum in Oamaru holds one of the best public collections of Temuka Pottery in New Zealand (www.northotagomuseum.co.nz)