Tarras is a small farming settlement in Central Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on the slopes above the upper reaches of the Clutha Valley, on State Highway 8. It is the first village reached by travellers heading south through the Lindis Pass, and is close to the junction where travellers from Mount Cook turn west towards Hawea, Wanaka, and the Haast Pass. Most farms in the Tarras district run sheep, principally merino farmed for their super-fine wool. Some also raise other sheep breeds and deer. Many farms have converted to beef cattle since the 2010 introduction of large-scale irrigation. Shrek, a hermit Merino sheep, was caught in the hills of Tarras on 15 April 2004, after hiding away in caves for six years. He was shorn live on national television, to produce fleece for men's coats. Shrek was euthanised on 6 June 2011 on a veterinarian's advice, at the age of 16. Vineyards have been established in the area since 2000. The vineyards grow mainly pinot noir and riesling grapes, with some plantings of pinot gris. The Tarras vineyards include Maori Point Vineyard and Swallows Crossing Vineyard. They are formally classified as being in the Bendigo sub-region of the Central Otago wine region. Tarras is one of the driest areas in New Zealand, with annual rainfall of between. The Anglican and Presbyterian Tarras Church includes kneelers created to celebrate the centennial of New Zealand women's suffrage. Tarras Rural Women publish the community newsletter, Tarras Talk. The Tarras Tearooms is a historic waystation for travellers through the Lindis Pass.
Airport proposal
has purchased land adjoining in Tarras with the intention of creating a new international airport which could serve the Wanaka and Queenstown areas.
Education
Tarras School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of as of. The school has published a children's books about Shrek the sheep to raise funds for the school and its students. The book was written by school children and edited by teachers and parents.
