Tapanui


Tapanui is a small town in West Otago in New Zealand's South Island, close to the boundary with Southland region.
It is a forestry town at the foot of the Blue Mountains and the Pomahaka River. Popular past times include deer stalking and trout fishing.
Nearby locations include Landslip Hill, a fossil-bearing geologic feature.

History

For almost a hundred years, the town was serviced by the Tapanui Branch railway line, which despite its name never actually terminated in Tapanui. This line was formally opened in late 1880 and closed after being damaged by severe flooding in the region in October 1978. State Highway 90, which links State Highway 1 at McNab, near Gore, to State Highway 8 at Raes Junction, passes through Tapanui.
In 2015, Tapanui was a filming location for the Disney production Pete's Dragon, with the main street and old timber mill serving as their equivalents in the fictional town of Millhaven.

Tapanui flu

In New Zealand the name Tapanui is closely associated with the mysterious ailment chronic fatigue syndrome, which — until it became an accepted ailment — rejoiced in the nickname of "Tapanui 'flu". The doctor who first documented the rise of the condition in New Zealand, Dr Peter Snow, was based in the town.

Education

Tapanui School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students, with a roll of as of.
Blue Mountain College is a co-educational state secondary school for Year 7 to 13 students, with a roll of.