Benhar, New Zealand
Benhar | |
|---|---|
Rural settlement | |
McSkimming & Son pottery works at Benhar, 1926 | |
| Coordinates: 46°13′30″S 169°47′38″E / 46.225°S 169.794°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| District | Clutha |
| Ward | Balclutha |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Clutha District Council |
| • Regional council | Otago Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Clutha | Bryan Cadogan |
| • Taieri MP | Ingrid Leary |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.71 km2 (0.27 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024) | |
• Total | 90 |
| • Density | 130/km2 (330/sq mi) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Benhar is a town in New Zealand. It is located five kilometres east of Balclutha in South Otago, close to the small Lake Tuakitoto.
Benhar was formerly the site of one of New Zealand's largest domestic porcelain factories, closing in 1990 after a large fire destroyed the factory and surrounding warehouses. The factory was initially established by Scots immigrant John Nelson to manufacture ceramic pipes and bricks, supplying the rapid growth of Dunedin's infrastructure, later diversifying into pottery ware and then sanitary ware which was freighted from the factory's own rail yard. The factory was bought by Peter McSkimming senior (1840s–1923) in 1894 and later his son (Peter McSkimming junior) and son-in-law (Parker McKinlay) took over.