Kakanui

Kakanui is a coastal town in Otago, New Zealand, located approximately 14 km (8.7 mi) south of Oamaru. The Kakanui River divides the settlement in two. Kakanui was home to a small Maori population prior to European settlement. Prior to establishment of the township the area was used as run-hold land. The discovery of breccia up the river led to the creation of a harbour and port and a meat works was established in Kakanui, leading to a prosperous decade with a five-fold growth in the population. Competition with the port at Oamaru and the railway line avoiding Kakanui led to a decline in the port and it was eventually dismantled. Despite the loss of the port the town remained and in the 20th century it became a holiday destination.