Geraldine (Māori: Heratini) is a town in the Canterbury region in the South Island of New Zealand.

[4] However, it wasn't until 1854 when Thomas Cass, the Chief Surveyor for the Canterbury region and Guise Brittan, Commissioner for Crown Lands, proposed a town site at Talbot Forest.

[4] Following this Samuel Hewlings under the employment of the government as a surveyor, constructed a bark hut where the probably future site of a town would be.

[4] In fact, a tōtara tree planted to commemorate the birth of Hewling's daughter with his wife Nga Hei, still stands today opposite the police station where his nearby bark hut once stood.

While Hewlings was indeed the first to person to live in Geraldine, his residence was not permanent and Alfred Cox and William du Moulin abet on the other side of the river in Raukapuka were the town's first permanent residents.

[6] At this time timber milling and the numerous sheep runs in the area were the main sources of commerce.

The town experienced significant growth during this period and as the timber ran out farming took over as the major source of income in the area.

[7] Within walking distance of the town centre is Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve.

[9] The Geraldine area is home to numerous native reserves within driving distance.

There are a number of colonies of the native long-tailed bat in the areas surrounding Geraldine (such as Talbot Forest and Hanging Rock).

[6] Presently, Geraldine is part of the Timaru District Council led by current mayor Nigel Bowen.

[19] Geraldine is currently part of the Waitaki electorate held by Miles Anderson of the National Party.

1924), located on Talbot St.[22] There is a desire to see that the cinema, which in a previous life was the Geraldine Town Hall become a registered historic building.

At just over eleven hectares in size, the domain includes a playground, pavilion, gardens and the Serpentine Creek.

[29] The aim of the project is to lay artificial turf to provide a hockey training facility.

[7] While there has been a substantial increase in dairy farms in the region over the last twenty years, there are still large sectors involved in the cropping, deer, sheep and beef.

The town is also home to various tourist operators which showcase the local natural environment such as rafting, horse trekking and tours.

[36][37] In late 2021, the museum opened a new display in what was the meeting room which includes 24 pedal cars and a collection of miniature trains, tractors and airplanes.

[40] Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church is located on 10 Cox Street in Geraldine.

[46] St Mary's church is listed as a category two historic place with Heritage New Zealand.

[49]The Town Board Office on Cox street,[50] is now part of the Geraldine Historical Museum.

It served the town until 1969 and it was then dismantled and re-erected in 1975 on Cox street by the Geraldine Historical Society to be used as part of the museum.

[52] This modest cottage with a small outhouse in the backyard on Wilson street was built in 1873 by Hugh Morrison.

[58] The post office was opened in November 1908 by the then prime minister Sir Joseph Ward.