North Otago is an area in New Zealand that covers the area of the Otago region between Shag Point and the Waitaki River , and extends inland to the west as far as the village of Omarama (which has experienced rapid growth as a developing centre for astronomy and for gliding ).
9-511: Kātiki is a small settlement in North Otago , New Zealand. It lies between the townships of Palmerston and Hampden on State Highway 1 at the northern end of Kātiki Beach , close to the Moeraki Peninsula. The tip of the peninsula, Kātiki Point, is the site of Kātiki Point Lighthouse . The scenic reserve of Trotter's Gorge is located just inland of Kātiki. There is uncertainty about
18-1292: A sod or lawn , in meadows , grasslands , and prairies. As perennial plants , most species live more than one season. Tussock grasses are often found as forage in pastures and ornamental grasses in gardens. Many species have long roots that may reach 2 meters (6.6 ft) or more into the soil, which can aid slope stabilization, erosion control , and soil porosity for precipitation absorption. Also, their roots can reach moisture more deeply than other grasses and annual plants during seasonal or climatic droughts. The plants provide habitat and food for insects (including Lepidoptera ), birds, small animals and larger herbivores , and support beneficial soil mycorrhiza . The leaves supply material, such as for basket weaving , for indigenous peoples and contemporary artists . Tussock and bunch grasses occur in almost any habitat where other grasses are found, including: grasslands , savannas and prairies , wetlands and estuaries , riparian zones , shrublands and scrublands , woodlands and forests , montane and alpine zones, tundra and dunes , and deserts . In western North American wildfires , bunch grasses tend to smolder and not ignite into flames, unlike invasive species of annual grasses that contribute to
27-480: Is the Southern Māori version of the term kāinga , meaning village). The houses at the kaiks are very basic and predominantly cribs (holiday homes). Property is difficult to attain there as it cannot be purchased, only leased. Kātiki lighthouse is home to yellow-eyed penguins ( hoiho ), one of the rarest species of penguin in the world. Its visitors can almost be guaranteed to see fur seals on their visit to
36-631: The Waitaki County, and today is officially part of the Waitaki District . Some sense of regional identity survives in support of sport, notably the North Otago rugby team. In 1989, the northwestern part of the area, including the towns of Omarama, Otematata, Kurow, and Duntroon officially became part of Canterbury region, testing this sense of identity and raising the ire of many locals. The rolling, tussock -clad hill country of North Otago provides
45-458: The coast south of Oamaru. The coastal plain north of Oamaru has the settlements of Hilderthorpe and Pukeuri. Inland settlements include Weston , Ardgowan , Windsor , Five Forks, Peebles, Papakaio, Duntroon , Kurow (on the south bank of the Waitaki), Omarama , and Otematata . The area aspired to provincial status in the 19th century, but never attained this. Most of its territory belonged to
54-532: The important agricultural base, originally through sheep-farming but now largely superseded by dairy. The generation of hydro-electricity in the Waitaki Valley has also drawn attention to the area (see Project Aqua ), and tourism has grown in recent years. Tussock grass Tussock grasses or bunch grasses are a group of grass species in the family Poaceae . They usually grow as singular plants in clumps, tufts, hummocks, or bunches, rather than forming
63-454: The origin of the name, though it could have originally been Ka tiki ("The carved figures"). The settlement was called Kartigi until 1927, this former name stressing the local Southern Māori pronunciation. The town no longer has any signage but for a small bridge sign 'Katiki bridge'. Further north along the coast from the lighthouse are two small settlements called the Katiki Kaiks ("kaik"
72-561: The principal cordillera, rising at their highest point, Mount Pisgah , to 1,643 metres (5,390 ft). These are separated from the lower, parallel Horse Range by the upper valleys of the Waianakarua and Shag rivers. The large east-coast town of Oamaru serves as North Otago's main centre. Other towns and settlements in the region include Alma , Totara, Teschemakers, Reidston, Maheno , Kakanui , Herbert (also known as Otepopo ), Waianakarua , Hampden , and Moeraki , all on or close to
81-632: The viewing huts. The area is also a local fishing spot, especially for blue cod . 45°23′46″S 170°50′22″E / 45.396137°S 170.839409°E / -45.396137; 170.839409 This Otago geography article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . North Otago Prominent rivers include the Shag , the Waianakarua , the Kakanui and the Waitaki . The Kakanui Mountains form
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