Omarama
Omarama
NZDT) | |
---|---|
Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Omarama (
Omarama is primarily a rural service centre, providing local farmers and other residents with necessities and facilities such as grocery shopping, fuel and mechanical services, as well as a post shop.
In more recent years these and similar services have expanded moderately, due to the increase in new residents and visitors, including
A significant proportion of permanent village residents are employees of, or contractors to,
The Māori language name Ōmarama means "Place of Light",[3][4] a reference to its extraordinarily pure and clear sky.[5]
Demographics
Omarama is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 8.30 km2 (3.20 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 350 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 42 people per km2. It is part of the larger Aviemore statistical area.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 231 | — |
2013 | 270 | +2.25% |
2018 | 291 | +1.51% |
Source: [6] |
Omarama had a population of 291 at the
Ethnicities were 78.4% European/Pākehā, 4.1% Māori, 14.4% Asian, and 4.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.6% had no religion, 30.9% were Christian, 2.1% were Hindu, 1.0% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 39 (14.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 42 (15.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 42 people (15.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 159 (60.2%) people were employed full-time, and 42 (15.9%) were part-time.[6]
Aviemore statistical area
The Aviemore statistical area, which also includes Otematata, covers 3,483.90 km2 (1,345.14 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 960 as of June 2023,[7] with a population density of 0.28 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 669 | — |
2013 | 702 | +0.69% |
2018 | 765 | +1.73% |
Source: [8] |
Aviemore had a population of 765 at the
Ethnicities were 86.7% European/Pākehā, 5.5% Māori, 0.8% Pasifika, 8.6% Asian, and 3.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 20.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.7% had no religion, 36.9% were Christian, 2.0% were Hindu, 1.2% were Buddhist and 0.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 90 (13.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 105 (15.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 93 people (14.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 411 (61.7%) people were employed full-time, 93 (14.0%) were part-time, and 3 (0.5%) were unemployed.[8]
History
Omarama was an important food source (kāinga mahinga kai) for the Ngāi Tahu Māori iwi (tribe) in what would later be named the Mackenzie Basin.
The first European to visit Omarama was Walter Mantell, in December 1852. European settlement began in 1857 with the establishment of the Benmore and Ben Ohau stations.[9]
In 1877, Hipa Te Maihāroa with over 100 supporters travelled up the Waitaki River to Omarama and camped there to reaffirm the Ngāi Tahu claim to the interior of the South Island. This led to numerous visits from the government and Ngāi Tahu leaders. In 1879, they were evicted by an armed constabulary. Te Maiharoa and his followers then moved to the mouth of the Waitaki River.[10]
Agriculture
Although traditionally sheep country, Omarama area farms, along with those within the rest of the Mackenzie Basin, have rapidly converted to predominantly dairy farming, due to falling sheep meat and wool prices, and the recent boom in dairy product earnings.
The dairy conversion has made major changes to the local environment, with iconic
Recently however, diminishing returns on dairy-based agriculture have led to farmers investigating alternative methods and practices, some now experimenting with biofuel crops.[citation needed]
Angling
There are many rivers and lakes in and near Omarama suitable for recreational fishing. The nearby
Commonly encountered local fish species include salmon, and brown and rainbow trout.
Astronomy
Omarama is home of the annual mid winter star party. Local street lighting and other light sources are dimmed or switched off for the duration of the event.
Benmore Peak Observatory is located approximately 13 km north of Omarama, atop the nearby Benmore Range.
Gliding
Due to the strong gliding conditions in the Omarama area, and
Pilots come to Omarama to experience strong lee wave conditions, ridge soaring and thermal flying. It is common for Omarama-based gliders to soar hundreds of kilometres along the Southern Alps each day. In ideal conditions, it is possible for gliders to reach distances in excess of 2000 km. Several national and world gliding records have been achieved from Omarama,[14] and the prevailing conditions have attracted record seekers such as Steve Fossett.[15]
The Omarama Gliding Club and several commercial gliding organisations are based in the town.
Snow sports
There are three
.Hot tubs
A local business provides outdoor hot tubs on a private landscaped site, along with saunas and massage.[16]
Mountain biking
Omarama is on the route of the
Other attractions
Omarama is a popular holiday destination amongst those living in surrounding districts and provinces, many owning family holiday residences within the village.
Education
Omarama School was first built on Buscot Station in the 1930s. It was moved to its present site on State Highway 8 in Omarama during the 1940s. As a result of people moving to work at the local hydro electricity development, Omarama School increased in size to a four-teacher school in the late 1980s. Today, 2.5 FTE of teachers teach at the school and its catchment area serves Omarama and a wide area of the Upper Waitaki high country. Omarama School caters for new entrants to Year 8 children with two classrooms, a school library and a covered solar heated pool on a 11938 square metre site.[18][19] Omarama School has a roll of 37 students as of February 2024.[20]
Government
Omarama is part of the Waitaki Electorate.[21] The Waitaki District Council provide local government services to Omarama.[22] In 2020, the Waitaki District Council published a masterplan for developing Omarama.[23]
In popular culture
In his novel The Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brooks of World War Z fame makes reference to Omarama as site of a historical zombie attack.[citation needed]
Disney's movie Mulan released in 2020 was partially filmed at the Omarama Clay Cliffs.[24]
References
- ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ "Things to see and do in Ōmarama, New Zealand". www.newzealand.com. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Omarama | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Omarama – Waitaki, New Zealand". Tourisim Waitaki. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7027642 and 7027643.
- ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Aviemore (343100). 2018 Census place summary: Aviemore
- ^ McMillan, Eileen (2021). Frugal country and hard on the boots : a history of the Lake Ohau valley. Twizel: Eileen McMillan. p. 421.
- ^ "Atlas — Cultural Mapping Project — Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu". www.kahurumanu.co.nz. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ Rae, Sally (28 December 2016). "From backwater to water 'battleground'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ Tatham, Helem (7 December 2016). "Benmore Irrigation Company shareholders 'hugely disappointed' by decision against resource consent". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ Two of the Best Fly Fishing Rivers in the World
- ^ Tollan, Jeff (14 December 2009). "Gliding on to a world record". STUFF. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ Taylor, Marty. "Updraft". New Zealand Geographic. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ "HOT Tubs Omarama". Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ "Welcome to New Zealand's Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail". alps2ocean.com. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ "Omarama School - About Us". sites.google.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Education Counts: Omarama School
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Waitaki: Households - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "Home - Waitaki District Council". www.waitaki.govt.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "Omarama Masterplan 2020" (PDF). www.waitaki.govt.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "NZ director's film Mulan released on Disney Plus bypassing cinemas". Newshub. Retrieved 15 September 2020.