HistoryParretai is 16kms south-west of Balclutha along the road to Kaka Point. Originally this land was part of Thomas Telford's estate. In 1913 the land was opened for settlement. From 1889 to 1956 the South Molyneux (Paretai) punt linked Inchclutha and Kaitangata with Paretai. In 1909 the Taieri and Peninisula Dairy Company shifted their creamery over the river to Paretai and in 1916 the Paretai Co-op Cheese Factory took it over. A post office operated from 1915 to 1927. The Otanamomo School opened in 1914 and closed in 1968. Paretai was always a small community with the township comprising of the cheese factory, puntman's house and several farms. Today it remains a small community with Balclutha as its service town.
