Our People

Early Maori settlements have been found throughout the district, as evidenced by Moa hunting sites along the coast and rock drawings on limestone cliffs in the Duntroon area. A large permanent settlement was established at the Waitaki River mouth very early in New Zealand's pre-history and there is an example of a Classic Maori permanent settlement site (pa) at Katiki Point near Moeraki.

The first European immigrant ship arrived at Port Chalmers, about 110km south of Oamaru, in 1848. Other ships quickly followed, bringing large numbers of Scots, many of who made the journey north to settle. Oamaru's development began when Hugh Robison in 1853 stocked a pastoral run extending from Oamaru inland to the Waiareka Valley.That same year, Robison also built, from cabbage tree stems and clay, the first European dwelling at the intersection of Thames and Itchen Streets in Oamaru.

Waitaki District population in 2006 was about 20,500 with a mix of around 84% European, 5.5% Maori, 1.1% Pacifica, 1.8% Asian. Population migration shows a slow but steady positive growth as more people move into the district.

Currently, nearly half of our population is aged 45+ years. This will change over the coming decade as growth in employment opportunities retains younger people and working families are attracted to the district from other parts of NZ as a result of our attractive lifestyle.