It appears Waitaki is back on track as a tourist destination, and things look set to keep improving.

November statistics from a monthly destination performance report, produced by Vistr Destination Intelligence using figures from Tourism NZ, MBIE and Inland Revenue, show the region experienced a significant surge in tourism during November, indicating a robust path to recovery in the sector.

The region reported a 21% year-on-year increase in visitor days and a 28% rise in guest nights in commercial accommodations, according to the latest tourism data. 

At 12 Harbour Street, Ōamaru and Waitaki Visitor Information Centre figures for December and January continued along the same trajectory. 

The total number of visitors to the centre for 2023 was 29,830 - a 31% increase on 2022, information centre co-ordinator Carolyn Lewis said. 

There were about 4500 visitors in January this year - up 27% on last year’s visitor numbers, which were just over 3500, with overseas independent visitor numbers rebounding strongly.

“They are the ones who can stay longer if they want to, and who are keen to be given heads up on what to do while they are here,” she said.

There are still a lot of New Zealanders travelling domestically, and Ōamaru is also becoming a weekend destination with previous visitors coming back for short stays, she said.

“Thera are still a lot of folks amazed at what they find in Ōamaru, especially the heritage precinct architecture. 

“Many have heard about the town by chance, or by word of mouth – there is still a lot to do to raise the profile of what we have here in the Waitaki,” she said.



Outgoing Tourism Waitaki Consumer and Trade marketing manager Krissy Griggs said the visitor growth is not only a testament to Waitaki's allure as a travel destination but also a key driver in boosting regional tourism-related employment.

Specifically, the sectors of "transport services" and "activity, travel, and tour services" saw employment jumps in November of 19% and 15% respectively compared to the previous year. 

The data for that month indicates a balanced increase in domestic tourism, with visitor days and guest nights both growing by 17% year-over-year, suggesting the region continues to appeal strongly to local travellers.

International visitor days and guest nights soared by 68% and 56% respectively from the same time last year.

A dip in the average stay length from 1.7 days in November 2022 to 1.5 days in November 2023, combined with a 44% increase in guest arrivals, suggests a trend towards shorter international visits. 

The remarkable growth seen is a clear indicator Waitaki is on track to return to pre-pandemic tourism figures, Krissy said.

“The fact that these numbers don't even include the typically busy Christmas period is particularly encouraging. 

“With the recent openings of several up-scale spots and the anticipation of the Harbour Street Jazz and Blues Festival in March, 2024 we're expecting these numbers to continue climbing.”

November numbers peaked during the Canterbury Day weekend (November 17-19), with approximately 11,000 visitors.

At the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony, science and environmental manager Dr Philippa Agnew said they are “very busy”, and will be even more so this month.

“It is Chinese New Year on the 10th of February and the first seven days of the new year are public holidays, with the celebrations lasting until the 24th.

“The penguin colony has returned to a pre-Covid visitor demographic, with almost half of our customers originating from mainland China.”

Total visitor numbers are at around 85% of pre-Covid numbers, which is a vast improvement on the previous few years, she said.

Wendy Jones, who runs the BuggyRobot Gallery with her partner Martin Horspool, in Ōamaru’s Harbour Street, said business this summer was definitely up on the same time last year, when the business had only been open a few months.

“It’s mad in here,” she said.

Jan Kennedy, who runs Steampunk HQ, said it had also been a great summer for the quirky museum.

“It’s started to slow off now, but we’re all prepared for the Chinese New Year - it’s going to be a bumper.”