Over the years, the Amuri area has been an area of traditional large scale farming, characterised in many cases by continuous family ownership across several generations.
The township of Waiau was the first of the three main settlements established in the area previously known as the Amuri Ward.
It originated in the 1860s, and, due to the ferry, the bridging of
Waiau River, the opening of the road to Kaikoura and the completion of
the railway line it soon became an important farm servicing and
transport centre.
The development of Rotherham as a township followed in 1877, as it was laid out in order to attract labourers to the district.
Rotherham and Waiau offer access to the Waiau River, brimming with trout for the skilful angler and where the salmon run during February and March.
The Amuri Golf Club has a 9-hole golf course.
Watters Cottage constructed in 1885 is a great example of an original cob cottage. You can find it at 93 George Street, Rotherham.
