OTEMATATA - Maori Translation - "Place of good flint"

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Hardly surprising with it being surrounded by rugged peaks and the beautiful lakes of the Waitaki Valley, this area echoes with tales of long ago. The earliest inhabitants were Māori on hunting expeditions or travelling through the valley to reach the inland areas and mountain passes.

 

Otematata township was built in 1958 as a base for the construction of the Aviemore and Benmore Dams. ECNZ (Electricity Corporation of New Zealand) used it as a base until the early 1990s. Prior to that there were a few 'high country' sheep stations, Rostiever Run owned by the Munro family and Otematata Station owned by the Cameron family.

ECNZ's successors' presence is now minimal as the dam is operated by remote control, and Otematata is becoming a village of holiday homes. It is a popular holiday village with a hotel, restaurant, holiday park, backpackers, golf course, walkways and cycle tracks. The town swells to over 5000 people in the Christmas and New Year holiday as holiday makers from all over come to enjoy the lakes. Water skiing and fishing are popular pastimes in the Waitaki Valley. Being the centre point for the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, Otematata is the ideal place to base yourself for day rides on this unique and beautiful cycle trail.

Like many inland areas, Otematata has weather that ranges from very cold in winter to very hot in summer. In the past five years, temperatures have ranged from 35.7degC to -6.7degC, with annual rainfall ranging from 282mm to 431mm.

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You won't find many places as beautiful, relaxed and unique as our township and we would like to extend a warm welcome to all visitors who would like to share a little slice of our paradise.

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