Key FactsGeologyThe Waitaki District is geographically diverse and blessed with high quality natural materials. Inland areas are home to spectacular limestone outcrops which were formed when yellow-white sand, made mainly of fossil fragments washed about on the sea floor 100m below the sea surface some 24-26 million years ago. The legacy of this geological process is the unique landforms found around the district today. CLIMATE & WEATHERCoastal areas tend to have a delicate maritime climate with a small swing in temperature between summer and winter. Further inland the climate is more continental. Typically one can expect moderate temperatures of 15-23 deg C in summer (December-February), mild temperatures of 5-13 deg C in winter (June-August), with average rainfall of 500-600mm annually. Our PeopleThe Waitaki District is home to 20,223 residents with about 12,600 people living in Oamaru. The population is 84% European/New Zealander in make up. Our LandThe land is a pivotal point for visitor attractions. Visitors can enjoy a range of interactive experiences based around the history of agriculture, rest a while at farm stays and enjoy fresh local produce from award winning locally made cheese and wine at our cafes and restaurants. Our HeritageOamaru and the Waitaki District’s rich and diverse heritage have spurred the development of a range of unique visitor attractions. The town’s hey day is immortalised in an impressive collection of grand neo-classical buildings that now house a range of businesses, galleries and eateries. Our rural heritage is immortalised at Totara Estate and other smaller museums while pre European history is preserved at sites around the district and can be explored via a comprehensive collection of displays at the North Otago Museum. The PresentThe district’s natural attributes set the scene for the establishment of a thriving agricultural sector. Initially the focus was on sheep farming for meat and wool but in recent years there has been steady growth in dairying prompted by access to the Waitaki River and the introduction of irrigation schemes. Smaller horticulture and viticulture ventures also flourish although agriculture remains the main stay of the district with Oamaru providing a service centre for outlying rural areas and communities. Oamaru and the surrounding district offer you a relaxed pace in a spectacular natural and built setting. The natural environment has created a plethora of recreational opportunities that are easy to access while attractions focusing on our rich past have been carefully developed to enable you to share our heritage.
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