Oamaru
From Free net encyclopedia
| Oamaru | ||
|---|---|---|
| Urban Area | Population | 12,700 (2004 est.) |
| Territorial Authority |
Name | Waitaki District Council |
| Population | 19,950 (2004 est.) | |
| Extent |
Pacific Ocean to the |
|
| Regional Council | Name | Otago and Canterbury (Environment Canterbury encroaches on the Waitaki District with its reponsibility for the Waitaki catchment and hydro scheme consents) |
Image:NZ-Oamaru.png Image:WaitakiDC.jpg Oamaru is the largest town of North Otago in New Zealand's South Island, and serves as its principal centre. It lies on State Highway One, 80 kilometres south of Timaru and 120 kilometres north of Dunedin, on the Pacific coast. Its historic status as the second centre in Otago (after Dunedin) is under threat from the growth of Queenstown in Central Otago.
The name Oamaru apparently derives from Māori words meaning the place of Maru (compare with Timaru). The exact identity of Maru remains open to conjecture.
European settlers arrived in the Oamaru area in the 1850s. The town grew as a service centre for the agricultural/pastoral hinterland between the Kakanui Mountains and the Waitaki River, and rapidly became a major port. For many years a commercial and fishing port nestled under Cape Wanbrow.
Many public buildings make use of a form of local limestone, quarried especially near Weston, and known as "Oamaru stone". The southern part of Oamaru's main business district is justifiably regarded as one of New Zealand's most impressive streetscapes, due to the many prominent buildings constructed from this material. This and another part of the town close to the harbour have been preserved as historic precincts.
Image:Oamaruview.jpg Most of the streets in Oamaru are named after rivers in England, particularly rivers in the northwest and southeast of the country. The main street is Thames Street, and Severn and Tyne Streets are also major roads in the town.
A colony of Little Blue Penguins is located on the town's harbour, while there is a Yellow-eyed Penguin colony just south of the town, attracting ecotourists. In the past, penguins have been known to live under some buildings close to the beach, including the town's music club, called The Penguin Club.
Image:Oamaruhistoric.jpg Many of the early works of Janet Frame, who grew up in the town, reflect Oamaru conditions and Oamaruvians. Other literary associations include those with Owen Marshall and Fiona Farrell Poole. Others who were born and educated in Oamaru include Des Wilson, founder of the UK homelessness charity, Shelter; Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of University College London; and current All Blacks rugby superstar Richie McCaw.
There is also a strong local art community, with many galleries located in the historic precinct of the town, notably the Forrester Gallery in a former bank building designed by architect Robert Lawson. One of the town's principal current artists is Donna Demente, a portraitist and mask maker, and — at least in part through her work — there is an annual mask festival each July - the "Midwinter Masquerade".
Oamaru is the eastern gateway to the Mackenzie Basin, via the Waitaki Valley.
Shibboleth: The local southern dialect of Māori ignores the first A in the name (AUH-muh-ROO). Sadly, northern Māori speakers tend to regard this (correct) variant as incorrect, preferring to stress the A (o-UH-muh-ROO). It is thus possible to tell whether the speaker is from Otago or further north.