Just 45 kilometres south of Timaru and a mere seven kilometres from SH1, Waimate is a community known for its charm, beauty and friendliness. In the beginning Waimate was not much more than a boggy swamp.
 
The first Maori in the district named their settlement Te Waimatemate, meaning slow-moving or sluggish water. It was the nearby Hunter Hills, with a profusion of game and wildlife, which first attracted settlers, and with an abundance of fish in the streams, the area was an hospitable place to set up home.
 
For centuries it was a seasonal camp for the Maori, occupied only for certain months of the year.
 

In 1854 Michael Studholme was 20 years old when he arrived in Waimate. Studholme came to an understanding with the local chief Huruhuru to take up the Te Waimate run and that he would not interfere with the affairs of the pa, while the chief agreed to respect the boundaries of Te Wai mate.
 
Mount Studholme and Te Huruhuru along the Hunter Hills are named after these historical personalities.
 
Extensive tracts of native forest covered the slopes of the hills providing building materials for the rush of runholders who were quick to take up freehold sections, and saw-milling became a major industry.
 
Now a farming centre, it has the added benefit of a climate suitable for berry growing and bulb propagation. The majority of the original buildings of mainly Edwardian style are still standing, but a few have been replaced with more modern styling. Overall Waimate has retained its early century charm.
 
The History of Saw milling in Waimate:

The first steam saw-mill in Waimate was that of James Bruce in 1867 near Garlands Bridge, in the very heart of the bush. The next was that of Alpheus Hayes. By the end of 1877, there were five saw-mills, but Bruce's and Hayes' were the most important.
 
Extensive Fires swept the bush in 1865 and 1866, but the most devastating of all was the fire of 1878. On 12th November 1878, a strong nor'wester blew up and fanned into flames the great sawdust heaps that were always quietly smoldering. The flames spread over the surrounding bush, and soon fires were burning in several places. By 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the five saw-mills and about 70 cottages had been destroyed.
 
Fortunately no lives were lost. By night the bush was burning over several miles. The fire continued burning for 8 days. When the fire was finally put out, the bush had disappeared except for two areas known as Bush Point and Kelceys Bush. With the bulk of saw milling destroyed, the town of Waimate stagnated for many years.

Most Famous Identity

Norman Kirk

Born, 1923, Waimate

Died, Wellington, 1974, aged 51

Labour Party Prime Minister from 8 December 1972 to 31.August 1974.

Norman Kirk was born at Waimate, Canterbury on 6 January 1923. He went to Waimate Primary School and left school at the age of 12. He worked for the railways for several years and at the age of 20 married Ruth Miller. Kirk moved to Kaiapoi in 1948 where he bought a section and built his own house, including digging a 70 foot well by hand.

Kirk joined the Labour Party in 1943 and in 1953 was elected the youngest Mayor in New Zealand at 30 years old. As Mayor he introduced many local improvements which gave him profile outside the district. He stood for Parliament in Hurunui in 1954 and lost, but was elected MP for Lyttelton in 1957.

He stood for Labour Deputy Leader in 1962 but lost to Hugh Watt. However in 1963 he was elected President of the NZ Labour Party. After Labour lost in 1963 Kirk challenged Nordmeyer for the Leadership and won it in December 1965. His rise to the top position was after only seven years in Parliament and with no Cabinet experience. He also was unique in being President and Leader at the same time.

Labour and Kirk lost the 1966 and 1969 elections. However a much more united Labour Party and union movement were successful in 1972 in toppling National and Kirk became Prime Minister of the 3^rd Labour Government.

Kirk in Government excelled in international affairs and recognised the People’s Republic of China which symbolised his departure from the foreign policy of the previous decades. He cancelled the South African Springbok rugby tour and protested against French Nuclear Testing at Mururoa. He also formed strong ties with black Africa, Asia and the Pacific and was a dominant force in the Commonwealth.

His health was not good though and he spent much time secretly in a private hospital. His death on 31 August 1974 came as a huge shock to New Zealand.

Kirk was only the 5^th New Zealand Premier or Prime Minister to die in office.