Welcome to the Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark!

Incredible forces formed our Geopark under an ancient sea. Volcanoes, mountains, rivers, glaciers, and people then further shaped this region. Written in the stone and in our land is the story of the Waitaki - a geological wonderland, steeped in Kāi Tahu Whānui histories and culture waiting to be explored.

What is a Geopark?

A Geopark is a UNESCO designation that highlights the importance of the region's unique geological and cultural heritage. UNESCO defines a Global Geopark as a defined area where sites of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

While the geology is the foundation of a Geopark, they are not geological parks. The 'Geo' in Geopark originates from the Latin word 'Gaia', meaning Earth or Land. Geoparks connect the geological heritage of a region with its cultural, social and natural heritage - So more like an 'Earth-Park'. It tells the story of our whenua (land) and how the landscapes have shaped the lives of its people, animals, and plants.

We are proud to be part of a world-wide movement! 

The Waitaki Whitestone Geopark is New Zealand’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, joining a network of 195 Global Geoparks in 48 countries world-wide (as of October 2023).

Explore the Geopark

Jump into the region that's got it all - the ocean, mountains, bike paths, walking tracks, great food, and award-winning wine. Stop along the way and visit some of the other attractions while you are here. Visit our website, grab a brochure or download our free Geopark Touring App for places to visit and touring routes. 

Take care!

Protection and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the land is at the heart of the Geopark philosophy. We ask you to treat all sites with respect and do not remove anything from these sites so they may be preserved for our future generations to enjoy.