Putaruru

Putaruru is a small town in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. It is on the Oraka River 65 kilometres south-east of Hamilton. The correct form of the name is thought to be the Māori word Putaaruru – "To come forth like a ruru (morepork)"; sometimes given as 'Home of the Owl'.

Description

The town's population at the 2006 census was 3765 (2001: 3783, 1996: 4047). Its economy is based on farming, forestry and timber production.

State Highway 1 and the Kinleith Branch railway run through the town.

The nearby Blue Spring is the current source of about 60% of New Zealand's bottled water.

Putaruru's main shopping street is Princes Street and has a collection of chemists, hairdressers, banks, retail stores, bakeries, A butcher's shop, pub, video store, and Mr Wong's Fish and Chips.

Tirau street also has several notable business establishments. Ma Bakers is a popular bakery. In recent years, The Wooden Farmer, headed by local chef, Ginge, has provided the town's first world class restaurant experience. Canton Takeaways is a stalwart of the Putaruru takeaway scene, with a Chinese smorgasbord where patrons can often "fill both sides", a local term to describe filling of both the base and the lid of the takeaway container.