Ophir, New Zealand

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Ophir is a small town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It belongs to Central Otago and is located about 25 kilometers northeast of Alexandra on the eastern bank of the River Manuherikia. The settlement Omakau, pass through the of as "The Pigroot " known State Highway 85 and the Otago Central Rail Trail, is located about 2 kilometers north-west on the opposite side.

The place was originally called Blacks (or Blackton ), named after Charles Black, on the land during the Otago gold rush, gold was found. In 1875, he was renamed accordingly in reference to the legendary land of Ophir, where according to the Old Testament of the Israeli King Solomon Gold is said to have received from the Queen of Sheba.

At that time there were about 1,000 people in Ophir, now houses the town only about 50 inhabitants. Some of the historic buildings have been obtained, however, to include a courthouse, police station, a hospital, a bank and a church.

Of special importance is the old post office, which is built in 1886 and operated since then in almost the same condition until today. In 1976 it was restored by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and classified in 1984 in the category 1 ( sites of special or outstanding historical or cultural significance ) of Historic Places.

This category was also included about 63 meter long suspension bridge in the same year, which was the Manuherikia River spans since 1880 and named after the Irish politician and freedom fighter Daniel O'Connell.

On 3 July 1995, the coldest air temperature was documented in Ophir with -21.6 ° C, which was ever recorded in New Zealand.