The only “agenda” the Waitaki District Council and its elected officials have, is trying to make the district a better place to live, Mayor Gary Kircher says.

Comments on various social media platforms have questioned decisions being made by the council, including a proposed 8.1% rates increase for 2023-24 year, the possibility of seeking a business partner for the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony, and the decision to seal the large carpark to the west of the colony.

A meeting was being held tonight (Wednesday, April 5) proposing a Waitaki ratepayers association be revived.

Gary said there was a lot of “angst” in the world at the moment, but was “a bit sad” to be accused of corruption, among other things.

“We’re actually a bunch of locals who’ve been here a long time, most of us, very invested in our own community, trying to do the best we can.

“The last three years has created a lot of mistrust. That’s been a big problem, and it’s certainly reflected in this - you know.

“People think we’ve got an agenda, and the reality is, the agenda is ‘how do we make Waitaki District a better place?’, and that’s what’s driving everything that we’re doing, and how do we make sure it stays affordable to ratepayers.

“Not everyone’s going to agree by many means, but it would just be good to have an open discussion about something, without some conspiracies being dreamed up that just aren’t there.

The Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony may present opportunities for the future. PHOTO: Supplied

Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony

A recommendation by council that partnership opportunities be investigated to grow the penguin colony, was about exploring opportunities.

The colony was a successful business, but if they were not always looking at how to improve it, it would start going backwards, Gary said.

“If we keep doing the same things, you know, we’re certainly not going to get much improvement there. 

“That’s really the opportunity that we see - is the potential to add onto what is there - and you know, with the right partner, that shares our values around looking after the penguins, and having that scientific research happening, and also looking at how it helps more people come to the Waitaki District and to stay here longer, and spend more money,” he said. 

“You know if someone is out there and can do all that, and add value to what we’ve already got, you know that’s what I’m looking for. 

It was not just about having somebody come in, buy half the business and share the profit, as that would have no benefit for ratepayers long-term, he said.

Consultancy group Polis, which has offices based in Auckland and Wellington, is the firm behind Uplifting Waitaki: Hāpaitia te Waitaki Economic Development Strategy adopted by the council in September last year. It identified selling the colony as one opportunity for council, but this was decided against, Gary said.

“We were like ‘no’, we’re just totally against the idea, and so it is about finding a partner. 

“It’s not my say, the council’s obviously a part of the ultimate decision as well. But I think most of them prefer the idea of actually growing it, not just selling off the silverware.”

At the moment, the attraction was basically an evening operation, because that was when the penguins came into shore. Having something more, which attracted visitors during the day as well, would be “really helpful and beneficial”.

“We need somebody that’s going to come in, put in a couple of million dollars to add something onto the facility that’s already there and the attraction that’s already there. 

“Basically just make sure that that’s something that really encourages more people to come.”



There were no actively interested parties yet, he said. 

It was about having a conversation with the community to see how it could be something better than what it was, and providing the opportunity for potential partners to put forward what their ideas might be.

“It might be something we just can’t imagine at the moment, and that’s the interesting thing. It’s not about losing what we’ve got, it’s about growing it and making things even better.” 

The penguin colony is important as a model which was community-led early on when it was established in 1993, and grew through the efforts of volunteers, Gary said.

The council eventually became involved and the visitor centre was built, with additions having been made to it over the years.

“But we never want to forget those grassroots, and the fact that it is very important to our community and there’s a good number of people who feel a real ownership of it, and I don’t want to lose that.

“So, I’m very comfortable if we do not find the right partner, we say thanks very much, but no thanks, and we continue to do what we can.”

Consultation on the partnering of the penguin colony, the dis-establishment of Tourism Waitaki, and the creation of an economic development agency as a council controlled organisation, opens tomorrow (Thursday, April 6). More information will be available on the council website, at the Waitaki District Libraries, and at the council offices.