43-719: Omarama ( Māori : Ōmarama ) 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
86-476: A pan-ethnic group of New Zealanders associated with, and descended from, the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands (also known as Pacific Islanders ) outside of New Zealand itself. They form the fourth-largest ethnic grouping in the country, after European descendants , indigenous Māori , and Asian New Zealanders . Over 380,000 people identify as being of Pacific origin, representing 8% of
129-449: A state-owned enterprise which is responsible for the nearby dams and powerstations that are part of New Zealand's hydroelectricity generation . The Māori language name Ōmarama means "Place of Light", a reference to its extraordinarily pure and clear sky. Omarama is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 8.30 km (3.20 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 370 as of June 2024, with
172-589: A covered solar heated pool on a 11938 square metre site. Omarama School has a roll of 39 students as of August 2024. Omarama is part of the Waitaki Electorate. The Waitaki District Council provide local government services to Omarama. In 2020, the Waitaki District Council published a masterplan for developing Omarama. In his novel The Zombie Survival Guide , Max Brooks of World War Z fame makes reference to Omarama as site of
215-550: A historical zombie attack. Disney's movie Mulan released in 2020 was partially filmed at the Omarama Clay Cliffs. State Highway 8 (New Zealand) State Highway 8 is one of New Zealand's eight national highways . It forms an anticlockwise loop through the southern scenic regions of the Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago , starting and terminating in junctions with State Highway 1 . Distances are measured from north to south. For most of its length SH8
258-585: A multicultural and urban lifestyle. As these houses were purchased, the available rental stock plummeted, and Pasifika families who tended to rent more began to relocate to suburbs further out from the city centre. The Pasifika populations in Ponsonby and Freemans Bay peaked in 1976. Grey Lynn continued to have a large Pasifika population (particularly Samoan ) until the mid-1980s. The umbrella term Pasifika , meaning "Pacific" in Polynesian languages ,
301-502: A particular Pacific nation and their descendants – are Samoan New Zealanders (182,721 people), Tongan New Zealanders (82,389), Cook Island Māori (80,532), and Niueans (30,867). In 1993, Samoan-born Taito Phillip Field became the first Pasifika member of parliament (MP), when he won the Otara electorate seat for Labour . Field was joined in 1996 by Samoan politicians Mark Gosche and Arthur Anae (the first Pasifika MP from
344-713: A population density of 45 people per km. It is part of the larger Aviemore statistical area. Omarama had a population of 291 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 21 people (7.8%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 60 people (26.0%) since the 2006 census . There were 111 households, comprising 147 males and 144 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female, with 27 people (9.3%) aged under 15 years, 54 (18.6%) aged 15 to 29, 147 (50.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (22.7%) aged 65 or older. 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
387-419: Is a noted fly-fishing river and adjacent Lake Benmore and Lake Ōhau are popular with boaters, as well as fly casters and other anglers. Commonly encountered local fish species include salmon , and brown and rainbow trout . 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
430-409: Is a two-lane single carriageway , with at-grade intersections and property accesses directly off the road, both in rural and urban areas. The highway leaves SH1 at Washdyke , an industrial suburb of Timaru , travelling initially northwest through Pleasant Point then continuing to the town of Fairlie . From here the route tends westward and rapidly increases in altitude, passing the southern end of
473-516: Is also popular with locals and visitors alike, due to the spectacular and often rugged landscape. Due to the spectacular scenery, numerous artists regularly visit the Omarama area, and several are now permanent residents, exhibiting their Omarama and Mackenzie landscapes and other work in local galleries and further afield. 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
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#1732780745606516-504: 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, and the prevailing conditions have attracted record seekers such as Steve Fossett . The Omarama Gliding Club and several commercial gliding organisations are based in
559-434: Is located approximately 13 km north of Omarama, atop the nearby Benmore Range . Due to the strong gliding conditions in the Omarama area, and Mackenzie Basin , it is known as a world-class gliding location, gaining fame among sailplane pilots around the world after hosting the 1995 World Gliding Championships . Pilots come to Omarama to experience strong lee wave conditions, ridge soaring and thermal flying. It
602-599: The 2013 census , and an increase of 96 people (14.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 324 households, comprising 411 males and 357 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.15 males per female. The median age was 46.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 99 people (12.9%) aged under 15 years, 138 (18.0%) aged 15 to 29, 360 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 168 (22.0%) aged 65 or older. 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
645-534: The 2013 census . Some of the increase between the 2013 and 2018 census was due to Statistics New Zealand starting to add ethnicity data from other sources (previous censuses, administrative data, and imputation) to the census data to reduce the number of non-responses. The median age of Pasifika New Zealanders was 24.9 years, compared to 38.1 years for all New Zealanders; 136,077 people (30.4%) were aged under 15 years, 123,828 (28.0%) were 15 to 29, 156,534 (35.4%) were 30 to 64, and 26,193 (5.9%) were 65 or older. At
688-464: The Kaikōura district had the lowest concentration at 1.0%, with the neighbouring Hurunui district having the second-lowest concentration at 1.3%. According to responses to the 2018 census, 91.6% of Pacific Peoples spoke English, and 37.8% spoke two languages. At the 2018 census, 59.4% of Pasifika reported belonging to a single ethnic group. The largest Pacific Peoples ethnic groups – immigrants from
731-632: 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, 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 anglers , artists, astronomers , sailplane enthusiasts , skiers and general tourists. A significant proportion of permanent village residents are employees of, or contractors to, Meridian Energy Limited ,
774-696: 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. 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
817-622: The National Party ), and by Winnie Laban in 1999. In 2008, Field left the Labour Party and formed the New Zealand Pacific Party , a short-lived political party aimed at representing conservative Christian Pasifika communities. For the 2008 New Zealand general election , Samoan-born Sam Lotu-Iiga was elected as MP for Maungakiekie , and was joined by Labour list MPs William Sio and Carmel Sepuloni , who
860-469: 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
903-541: The 1970s, governments (both Labour and National ), migration officials, and special police squads targeted Pasifika illegal overstayers. Pacific Studies academic Dr Melani Anae describes the Dawn Raids as "the most blatantly racist attack on Pacific peoples by the New Zealand government in New Zealand's history". Immigrant Pasifika families settled in the inner city suburbs of Auckland and other major cities in
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#1732780745606946-520: The 2018 census, there were 191,391 males and 190,254 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.006 males per female. The majority of Pasifika were born in New Zealand: 66.4% at the 2018 census, up from 62.3% at the 2013 census and 60.0% at the 2006 census. In terms of population distribution as at the 2023 census, 275,079 (62.1%) Pasifika New Zealanders lived in the Auckland region, 126,678 (28.6%) live in
989-514: The Clyde side of Alexandra. Over the eleven sites measured, between 9.0% and 15.3% of the vehicles were classified as heavy (3.5 tonnes or greater). For the spurs, SH8A AADT ranged from 646 to 858 vehicles, while the volume of vehicles on SH8B was 3,930 on Deadmans Point Bridge, and 4,500 near the SH6 junction. Pasifika New Zealanders Pasifika New Zealanders (also called Pacific Peoples ) are
1032-560: The North Island outside the Auckland region, and 40,845 (9.2%) live in the South Island. The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board area of Auckland had a majority Pasifika population at 60.4%, with the next highest concentrations in the nearby Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board area (48.7%) and Manurewa local board area (39.9%). Porirua City had the highest concentration of Pacific people outside of Auckland at 26.5%. The lowest concentrations of Pasifika New Zealanders are in northern Canterbury :
1075-417: 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
1118-713: The country's population, with the majority residing in Auckland . Prior to the Second World War Pasifika in New Zealand numbered only a few hundred. Wide-scale Pasifika migration to New Zealand began in the 1950s and 1960s, typically from countries associated with the Commonwealth and the Realm of New Zealand , including Western Samoa (modern-day Samoa), the Cook Islands and Niue . In
1161-509: The country, when middle-class Pākehā families were tending to move outwards to newer, more distant suburbs. Pasifika immigrants also tended to replace Urban Māori in central suburbs. By the mid-1970s, gentrification became an issue for Pasifika communities in Auckland. The cheap housing found in Ponsonby and other inner city Auckland suburbs were attractive to Pākehā young professionals, especially socially liberal families searching for
1204-482: 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. 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
1247-525: The lake to the town of Cromwell . SH 8B forms part of the main route between Queenstown and Christchurch . The course of SH8 between Clyde and Tarras was substantially altered during the 1980s as part of the construction of the Clyde Dam , which flooded much of the Cromwell Gorge , including the former route of the highway. A completely new section was built between Clyde and Cromwell; for SH8B
1290-664: The largest cohort of Pasifika MPs entering parliament: Terisa Ngobi , Barbara Edmonds , Tangi Utikere , Neru Leavasa for the Labour Party, and the first Pasifika MP from the Green Party , Teanau Tuiono . 2023 saw Efeso Collins , formerly a member of the Auckland Council , joining as a member of the Green Party. The Auckland Council has had three Pasifika councillors since its founding in 2010: Alf Filipaina and former National MP Arthur Anae representing
1333-528: The local environment, with iconic tussock lands being ploughed and replaced by pasture , facilitated by new irrigation schemes. Large centre pivot irrigators and private canal networks now dominate much of the landscape. Recently however, diminishing returns on dairy-based agriculture have led to farmers investigating alternative methods and practices, some now experimenting with biofuel crops. There are many rivers and lakes in and near Omarama suitable for recreational fishing. The nearby Ahuriri River
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1376-414: The northwest from Cromwell. These include the town of Lawrence, which was the hub of prospecting around the original gold strike at Gabriel's Gully . The former Roxburgh Branch rail line ran roughly parallel with the highway's southern course for much of its length. In 2006, SH8 had an annual average daily traffic volume (AADT – daily estimate) of between 1,188 vehicles at Bendigo, and 4,897 vehicles on
1419-623: The old single-lane bridge crossing the Clutha was replaced with a new two-lane bridge approximately 1.5 km to the north. The southern end of SH8 between Clarksville and Cromwell roughly follows the route taken by many miners and prospectors during the Otago gold rush of the 1860s. Many of the important sites of the gold rush lie close to the Highway and the Kawarau Gorge which extends to
1462-420: The town of Roxburgh . Much of this part of the highway's journey is past fruit orchards, and historic gold-diggings from the Otago gold rush . From Roxburgh, the highway turns southeastward, passing Ettrick , Raes Junction and Beaumont , where it turns away from the Clutha, before reaching Lawrence , close to the original strike in the Otago gold rush . From here, the highway continues past Waitahuna and
1505-519: The town. There are three skifields within the MacKenzie Basin; Ōhau , Round Hill , and Mount Dobson . Omarama is on the route of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail , after the trail was constructed following approval in 2010. Omarama is a popular holiday destination amongst those living in surrounding districts and provinces, many owning family holiday residences within the village. Tramping
1548-553: The twisting Manuka Gorge , reaching the plain of the Tokomairaro River at Clarksville , three kilometres south of Milton . State Highway 8 has two spurs: State Highway 8A and State Highway 8B . These two spurs connect the highway with State Highway 6, which lies on the western bank of Lake Dunstan . State Highway 8A runs for 23 km from SH 6 at Luggate to connect with SH8 close to Tarras . State Highway 8B runs for just 2.6 km from SH8 at Deadmans Point across
1591-544: The two great Mackenzie Basin lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki . From Pukaki the highway turns southwest across the upper reaches of the Waitaki Valley , passing through the former hydroelectricity service town of Twizel and Omarama before again climbing to cross the Lindis Pass , which, at 971 metres, is the highest point on the highway's path. The highway winds along the valley of the Lindis River , reaching
1634-503: The upper Clutha River not far from Tarras . From here, the highway runs close to the eastern shore of the man-made Lake Dunstan before passing the historic town of Cromwell . The highway turns south as it travels through the Cromwell Gorge passing the country's third largest hydroelectric dam, the Clyde Dam at Clyde . The highway continues along the Clutha Valley through the town of Alexandra and past Lake Roxburgh to
1677-481: 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. The Omarama area had numerous important food sources ( kāinga mahinga kai ) for the Ngāi Tahu Māori iwi (tribe) in what would later be named
1720-410: 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
1763-547: Was first used by government agencies in New Zealand in the 1980s to describe all migrants from the Pacific islands and their descendants. There were 442,632 people identifying as being part of the Pacific Peoples ethnic group at the 2023 New Zealand census , making up 8.9% of New Zealand's population. This is an increase of 60,990 people (16.0%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 146,691 people (49.6%) since
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1806-414: Was that 159 (60.2%) people were employed full-time, and 42 (15.9%) were part-time. The Aviemore statistical area, which also includes Otematata , covers 3,483.90 km (1,345.14 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,030 as of June 2024, with a population density of 0.30 people per km. Aviemore had a population of 765 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 63 people (9.0%) since
1849-612: Was the first MP of Tongan heritage. In 2010, Kris Faafoi entered parliament by winning the 2010 Mana by-election , becoming the first MP of Tokelauan descent. In 2011, Alfred Ngaro became the first MP of Cook Island descent by winning the Maungakiekie electorate. Further Pasifika MPs entered parliament in the 2010s: Asenati Taylor for New Zealand First (2011), Christchurch East MP Poto Williams (2013), Manukau East MP Jenny Salesa (2014) and Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki (2017). The 2020 New Zealand general election saw
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