Hororata is a village at the northwestern edge of the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 15 kilometres southwest of Darfield, five kilometres south of Glentunnel, and 50 kilometres west of Christchurch, on the banks of the Hororata River. Hororata, when translated from Maori means "drooping rata". There are a large number of rata growing in the district.^[3]

Hororata developed as a village to service the local farming community. In the early 1900s, the village had all the services that a small town would expect. These include a hotel, a Presbyterian and an Anglican church, stores, a school, post office, flour mill and a brewery. There was a large blacksmiths shop with a total of five forges.^[4]

Early European New Zealand pioneer John Studholme and his wife lived at Terrace Station on Milnes Road before selling the run to John Hall. New Zealand 19th century Premier John Hall and his eldest brother George Williamson Hall are buried in the St. John cemetery.^[5]

On 4 September 2010, an earthquake struck the surrounding region with a moment magnitude of 7.1 at 4:35 am local time]. It had a maximum perceived intensity of X (Extreme) on the Mercalli intensity scale. The earthquake caused widespread damage and several power outages.

In May 2021, the Hororata Golf Course was damaged by flooding, with it being "largely unrecognisable" as a result.^[6] It is thought that it would take weeks to repair the damage caused by the Selwyn river breaching its banks.^[7][8]

Hororata is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement, and covers 1.17 km² (0.45 sq mi).^[1] It had an estimated population of 230 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 197 people per km². It is part of the statistical area of Glenroy-Hororata.

Hororata had a population of 204 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 24 people (13.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 30 people (17.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 75 households, comprising 111 males and 93 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.19 males per female. The median age was 38.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 42 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 36 (17.6%) aged 15 to 29, 96 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (13.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 94.1% European/Pākehā, 11.8% Māori, 1.5% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 64.7% had no religion, 23.5% were Christian and 4.4% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 12 (7.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 27 (16.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 30 people (18.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 102 (63.0%) people were employed full-time, 21 (13.0%) were part-time, and 3 (1.9%) were unemployed.^[9]

The Hororata Highland Games started in 2011. The Hororata community had a desire to make a positive change following the damage of the Canterbury earthquakes. The annual event has increased in popularity with 10,000 people coming to the 2016 edition.^[20] It has become New Zealand's biggest Scottish festival.^[21] The event has over 300 competitors turn up each year. Competitions include Highland Dancing, Piping and Drumming, Tug O’ War and Scottish heavy athletics (men's and women's) which include the hammer throw, the sheaf toss, the Hororata stones and tossing the caber. The Kilted mile is a race over a mile which includes eating a Hororata Pie, Drinking a traditional Scottish drink and negotiating a series of obstacles.^[22] There are also stalls, food vendors and a fairground each year. A study conducted by the University of Canterbury looked at the economic benefits of the Hororata Highland Games. This found that they provided $370,000 to the Selwyn District economy in 2019.^[23]

The Hororata Night Glow is an annual event held in winter. Hot air balloons light up in the evening and light up the night sky. The event is held at the Hororata Domain.^[29] The Hororata Highland Games and the Hororata Night Glow were successful in bringing approximately 25,000 people to Hororata in 2019.^[23]

The warmest months of the year are January and February, with an average high temperature of 22 °C. The coldest month of the year occurs in July, when the average high temperature is 10 °C. Monthly rainfall ranges between an average of 35mm in January to 62mm in July.^[30]

The original Hororata school was located on the corner or Downs Road and Hororata Road and built in 1870. It was completely destroyed by fire on 17 February 1914.^[13] Hororata Primary School is Hororata's sole primary school. This was built on Bealey Road. The buildings were expanded significantly in 1952 and a further classroom was added in 1963 when the Te Pirita and Hororata schools were amalgamated.^[13] Hororata Primary caters for years 1 to 6^[31] and has a roll of 83 as of February 2024.^[32]

Hororata is part of the Selwyn electorate.^[33] The Selwyn District Council provides local government services to Hororata.^[34]

Hororata has a domain, which includes duck ponds and a picnic area. It was established in 1877 thanks to the generousity of local land owners. A tennis court and a Scouts building are located in the domain as well. Large expansive fields are located there, which are primarily used for the Hororata Highland Games and the Hororata Night Glow. A horse riding track, a tennis court, a Scouts building, are also located in the domain. A walking track links the domain to St John's Church. Ice skating used to occur on the Edwardian lake at the Hororata Domain.^[13]

Hororata has a café and bar, petrol station and a fire station. Hororata also has a community centre where it houses a clothing shop.