Otematata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Otematata is a village in the Waitaki District of southern Canterbury Region in New Zealand's South Island. It is defined as a "populated area less than a town"^[1] and the 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings identified the "usually resident population count" for Otematata as 243.^[2] By the 2006 census it had declined to 189 inhabitants. However, this was considerably higher in the 1960s during the construction of the Benmore Dam.

Surrounded by rugged peaks and beautiful lakes of the Waitaki Valley, this area echoes with tales of long ago. The earliest inhabitants were Māoris on hunting expeditions or traveling through the valley to reach the inland areas and mountain passes. The Māori name Otematata means "place of good flint".

Otematata township was built in 1958 as a base for the construction of the Aviemore and Benmore Dams. ECNZ (Electricity Corporation of New Zealand) used it as a base until the early 1990s. Prior to that there were a few 'high country' sheep stations, Rostiever Run owned by the Munro family and Otematata Station owned by the Cameron family.

ECNZ's presence is now minimal as the dam is operated by remote control, and Otematata is becoming a village of holiday homes. It is a popular holiday village with a hotel, restaurant, camping ground, backpackers and basic services. The town swells to over 5000 people in the Christmas and New Year holiday as holiday makers from the bigger towns come to enjoy the lakes. Water skiing is a popular pastime in the Waitaki Valley.