| Pukerau | |
| Coordinates: | -46.0999°N 169.0066°W |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Southland |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Gore District |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Gore District Council |
| Leader Title2: | Regional council |
| Leader Name2: | Southland Regional Council |
Pukerau is a rural community in the Gore District and Southland Region of New Zealand. It is located in a rich agricultural valley in eastern Southland with State Highway 1 and the main trunk southern railway dissecting the valley.
European settlement of Pukerau dates back to around 1876 when the township was established as one of the main agriculture hubs of the time.
Originally the valley was called The Swamp. However, in the 1860’s people began referring to it as Taylor’s Creek. This created some confusion as there were already numerous ‘Taylor’s Creeks’ in the south. As a result, settlers adopted the Māori name for the district. And so Pukerau, or The Land of Many Hills, became the name of the township and the district. [1]
Pukerau School is a state contributing primary school for years 1 to 8 with a roll of as of It was established in 1879.[2]