Why Waitaki desires its identify on the tourism map

In many ways, the geography of the Waitaki District couldn’t be more enviable when following the river for which it is named from the Southern Alps to the Pacific.

It is the only district in the South Island that spans two regions, with the borders between Otago and Canterbury running through the middle.

SCOPE OF DELIVERY

Moeraki Boulders are a famous Waitaki landmark.

But that unique position has created something of an identity crisis, says Margaret Munro, general manager of Tourism Waitaki.

“Who are we, what should we be called, where do we belong, where are we in the larger New Zealand scheme?”

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Not only does this make it difficult for residents to find out which rugby team to support, but it also makes it difficult to advertise as a tourist destination, as the district’s treasures are often called South Canterbury, North Otago, or Central Otago “To be discarded” – or worse, to be confused with another district.

“Recently an article was printed in Australia that had [Ōmārama’s] Clay Cliffs and Hot Tubs as part of Mackenzie, which is not right, ”says Munro.

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The famous whirlpools in Ōmārama.

“If visitors come, they will look them up in ‘Mackenzie’ and they won’t be able to find them there – because they’re not part of that district. It’s misleading information for the people who have a real interest in finding out more. “

To meet this challenge, Tourism Waitaki recently launched a new campaign and video series to showcase the district and its place in the South Island and to refer to it as the “sweet spot” of New Zealand.

“It ensures that anyone who talks about Waitaki is actually realizing where the geography is and what’s in it,” Munro says.

And there’s a lot in there. Waitaki’s main town is Ōamaru, known for its Victorian District, the Steampunk Museum and the blue penguin colony. The district also offers New Zealand’s first UNESCO World Geopark as well as a ski field, lakes and the Alps-2-Ocean cycle path, which it rightly shares with the neighboring Mackenzie district.

Delivered

The historic Victorian District in Ōamaru.

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says: “We have so many things that it is really difficult to promote them all.”

He uses the numerous fishing opportunities as an example of the diversity of the district. “In the morning you can catch a blue cod at sea, at noon you might catch a salmon in the Waitaki River, in the evening you can catch a trout in Lake Benmore.”

Ross McRobie, a councilor for the district’s Ahuriri community, agrees that there are many who make Waitaki special.

“Nobody else has a clay cliffs, nobody has a geopark, nobody has blue penguins in our immediate vicinity,” he says.

“This is an opportunity to solidify that we have some really important differences.”

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The spectacular Clay Cliffs in Ōmārama.

This is an opportunity that has arisen in large part thanks to Covid-19, with an emphasis on domestic tourism so that districts that previously disappeared under the radar can enjoy their time in the sun.

“There’s a lot in this area that is pretty unique but not considered ‘iconic’ by the rest of New Zealand,” says Munro.

“So that’s what we’re trying to do now – really improve the profile of all of these things.”

5 things Waitaki is famous for

1. Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Located five minutes from the city center, the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony is one of the easiest places in New Zealand to see the world’s smallest penguin as they waddle ashore at dusk every day.

2. Victorian Ward

Step back in time as you stroll through New Zealand’s finest collection of Victorian commercial buildings, now home to cafes, galleries and shops.

3. Moeraki Boulders

One of the Waitaki landmarks most photographed, these spherical stones are scattered along a section of Koekohe Beach.

4. Clay Cliffs

These otherworldly formations were created from layers of silt and gravel deposited by ancient glaciers around 20 million years ago.

5. Alps 2 ocean cycle path

This spectacular route does what it promises: It connects the Southern Alps with the Pacific, from Aoraki / Mt Cook to Ōamaru.