In the Shadow of the Takitimus

As no in-depth history has been written to describe the history of the Southland town of Ohai, this book has been produced to fill the gap. The book explains the events leading to the beginnings of Ohai, and the later growth of the township, and its community. Unlike the majority of small provincial towns, the town of Ohai was established for a specific purpose – COAL. The unique nature of the town was born from the coal found in the area, and the people who resided there.

When I was growing up in Ohai I did not understand or appreciate the earlier history leading to the growth of the town. The determination of its early residents, many of whom had travelled across the world to make a new life, needs to be recorded. It was only after moving away from Ohai that I came to understand the unique character of Ohai and its people.