ELTHAM Eltham is the last of the towns on the New Plymouth/ Hawera Mt Taranaki highway. And again struggles in current times. Eltham also services the local rural community, but the mountain has a lesser economic benefit. Eltham is also close to Hawera and the pulling power of the major brands Eltham is known as the cradle of the Taranaki dairy industry (the co-operative system in particular), and for being the one place in New Zealand that manufactured rennet which is essential in the manufacture of cheese. Settlement began in Eltham in the 1870s with blocks of densely forested land being taken up mainly to the north of Mountain Road. A profusion of sawmilling companies cleared the district which when grassed was found to be ideal for dairy farming Eltham has two museums. The Catholic Church is a significant structure. Eltham has two trading hotels. And, what a facade. Eltham does not have a War Memorial (not found); this may be because of the proximity to Hawera and incorporation with that cenotaph.