Dairy factories dotted the Taranaki landscape in the early 20th century. Factories – especially cheese factories, which used whole milk – needed to be close to suppliers. Later in the 20th century improved storage facilities and communications allowed economies of scale, and the number of factories steadily dwindled. Since 1992 there has been just one dairy factory in Taranaki – the plant at Whareroa just outside Hāwera, which is supplied by farms from throughout the lower North Island. Derelict factories can be seen at crossroads throughout the region. Click on the sites to see the buildings in the early 2000s.