Omarama
Omarama | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Motto: The Place of Light | |
| Coordinates: 44°29′0″S 169°58′0″E / 44.48333°S 169.96667°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Waitaki District |
| Ward | Ahuriri Ward |
| Community | Ahuriri Community |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Waitaki District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Waitaki | Gary Kircher |
| • Waitaki MP | Miles Anderson |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 8.30 km2 (3.20 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024) | |
• Total | 370 |
| • Density | 45/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Omarama is a small town (population 291 as of the 2018 census) at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83, near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand. Omarama is in the Waitaki District, in the southern Canterbury region. The Ahuriri River is a short distance to the north of the township. Omarama is 30 km (20 minutes drive) southwest of Twizel, 40 km (30 minutes drive) southeast of Lake Ōhau and 32 km (21 minutes drive) northeast of the Lindis Pass.
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, and a post shop. In recent years these and similar services have expanded moderately, due to the increase in new residents and visitors, including anglers, artists, astronomers, sailplane enthusiasts, skiers and tourists. A significant proportion of permanent village residents are employees of, or contractors to, Meridian Energy Limited, a state-owned enterprise that is responsible for the nearby dams and powerstations that are part of New Zealand's hydroelectricity generation.