The significant of Historic Hayes

The place where the summer star stands still

Historic Hayes is in Oturehua, a small settlement in the Ida Valley of the Maniototo. The name Oturehua likely refers to the star and deity Rēhua, also known as Antares. One interpretation is 'the place where the summer star stands still', an apt moniker for an area so famous for its scorching summer days.

Māori have traversed this area for centuries. It is an important mahinga kai (food-gathering) site and the source of other materials for Māori—there is evidence of quarrying and production of flake knives carried out in the twelfth century.

The inventive Ernest and Hannah Hayes

From their rural Ōtūrehua farm, Ernest Hayes and his wife Hannah worked as a resourceful team. Ernest forged ahead with inventing and manufacturing devices to make life on the land easier, and Hannah cycled throughout the district in her ankle length skirts marketing their wares and taking orders.

Gadgetry that prevails

Many of their inventions are still in use today, notably the wire-strainer that farmers came to depend upon to keep their fences strong and straight, rabbit baiters and windmills. 

Historic Hayes is proudly cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.