38-649: The Pukaki River flows through the Mackenzie Basin , Canterbury , in New Zealand's South Island . Originally, the river flowed southwest for 15 kilometres (9 mi) from the southern end of Lake Pukaki before joining with the Tekapo River and flowing into the northern end of Lake Benmore . However, all water from Lake Pukaki is now diverted into a canal which is fed through three hydroelectric stations before being returned directly into Lake Benmore, as part of
76-455: A state-owned enterprise which is responsible for the nearby dams and powerstations that are part of New Zealand's hydroelectricity generation . The Māori language name Ōmarama means "Place of Light", a reference to its extraordinarily pure and clear sky. Omarama is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and covers 8.30 km (3.20 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 370 as of June 2024, with
114-577: A covered solar heated pool on a 11938 square metre site. Omarama School has a roll of 39 students as of August 2024. Omarama is part of the Waitaki Electorate. The Waitaki District Council provide local government services to Omarama. In 2020, the Waitaki District Council published a masterplan for developing Omarama. In his novel The Zombie Survival Guide , Max Brooks of World War Z fame makes reference to Omarama as site of
152-714: A population density of 45 people per km . It is part of the larger Aviemore statistical area. Omarama had a population of 291 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 21 people (7.8%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 60 people (26.0%) since the 2006 census . There were 111 households, comprising 147 males and 144 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female, with 27 people (9.3%) aged under 15 years, 54 (18.6%) aged 15 to 29, 147 (50.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (22.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 78.4% European/ Pākehā , 4.1% Māori , 14.4% Asian , and 4.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer
190-749: A river in Canterbury, New Zealand is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mackenzie Basin The Mackenzie Basin ( Māori : Te Manahuna ), popularly and traditionally known as the Mackenzie Country , is an elliptical intermontane basin located in the Mackenzie and Waitaki Districts , near the centre of the South Island of New Zealand . It is the largest such basin in New Zealand. Historically famous mainly for sheep farming ,
228-447: A sex ratio of 0.98 males per female. The median age was 31.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 156 people (13.2%) aged under 15 years, 357 (30.2%) aged 15 to 29, 567 (48.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 102 (8.6%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 71.6% European/ Pākehā , 4.3% Māori , 2.0% Pasifika , 20.1% Asian , and 7.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
266-515: A threat to the black stilt (or kakī), an endangered river wading bird. A captive breeding programme was set up and it is administered by the Department of Conservation . The Mackenzie Basin is one of the areas where wilding conifers proliferate. These weed trees cover large areas sometimes to a very high density and therefore excluding native vegetation and reducing the amount of available pasture. Some areas have control measures in place to prevent
304-420: Is a noted fly-fishing river and adjacent Lake Benmore and Lake Ōhau are popular with boaters, as well as fly casters and other anglers. Commonly encountered local fish species include salmon , and brown and rainbow trout . Omarama is home of the annual mid winter star party. Local street lighting and other light sources are dimmed or switched off for the duration of the event. Benmore Peak Observatory
342-512: Is also popular with locals and visitors alike, due to the spectacular and often rugged landscape. Due to the spectacular scenery, numerous artists regularly visit the Omarama area, and several are now permanent residents, exhibiting their Omarama and Mackenzie landscapes and other work in local galleries and further afield. Omarama School was first built on Buscot Station in the 1930s. It was moved to its present site on State Highway 8 in Omarama during
380-499: Is common for Omarama-based gliders to soar hundreds of kilometres along the Southern Alps each day. In ideal conditions, it is possible for gliders to reach distances in excess of 2000 km. Several national and world gliding records have been achieved from Omarama, and the prevailing conditions have attracted record seekers such as Steve Fossett . The Omarama Gliding Club and several commercial gliding organisations are based in
418-654: Is frequently utilised as the principal and second-unit location for television commercials, documentaries, and motion pictures, including much of Peter Jackson 's epic The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film trilogy . Gliding is another common activity within the Mackenzie Basin, and the area was host to a Gliding World Cup event in 1995, as well as being the home of several gliding clubs, airfields, and numerous private glider pilots, of both amateur and professional status. Due to its clean, dry and dark sky,
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#1732869985257456-434: Is located approximately 13 km north of Omarama, atop the nearby Benmore Range . Due to the strong gliding conditions in the Omarama area, and Mackenzie Basin , it is known as a world-class gliding location, gaining fame among sailplane pilots around the world after hosting the 1995 World Gliding Championships . Pilots come to Omarama to experience strong lee wave conditions, ridge soaring and thermal flying. It
494-544: Is primarily a rural service centre, providing local farmers and other residents with necessities and facilities such as grocery shopping, fuel and mechanical services, as well as a post shop. In more recent years these and similar services have expanded moderately, due to the increase in new residents and visitors, including anglers , artists, astronomers , sailplane enthusiasts , skiers and general tourists. A significant proportion of permanent village residents are employees of, or contractors to, Meridian Energy Limited ,
532-599: The 2013 census , and an increase of 96 people (14.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 324 households, comprising 411 males and 357 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.15 males per female. The median age was 46.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 99 people (12.9%) aged under 15 years, 138 (18.0%) aged 15 to 29, 360 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 168 (22.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 86.7% European/ Pākehā , 5.5% Māori , 0.8% Pasifika , 8.6% Asian , and 3.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
570-674: The Mackenzie Basin . The first European to visit Omarama was Walter Mantell, in December 1852. European settlement began in 1857 with the establishment of the Benmore and Ben Ohau stations. In 1877, Hipa Te Maihāroa with over 100 supporters travelled up the Waitaki River to Omarama and camped there to reaffirm the Ngāi Tahu claim to the interior of the South Island. This led to numerous visits from
608-888: The Tekapo Rivers. Lakes Ōhau , Pukaki , Alexandrina and Tekapo lie within the Mackenzie Basin, as do the artificial hydroelectric lakes of Ruataniwha , Benmore and Aviemore . Sparsely populated, and with only four settlements ( Lake Tekapo , population <500; Mount Cook Village , population <150; Twizel , population <1,000; and Omarama , population <400), the Mackenzie Country comprises an area of huge glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains, particularly favoured by tourists and skiers. The Ōhau skifield near Omarama, and Roundhill and Mount Dobson Ski Areas at Lake Tekapo, are small commercial skifields popular amongst many living in Canterbury and Otago. The Mackenzie Country
646-627: The Waitaki Hydroelectric scheme . Occasionally, water may be spilled down the riverbed when Lake Pukaki reaches its maximum height, or if a canal or power station requires servicing. In 2010, Meridian Energy applied for resource consents to build a 35 MW power station at Pukaki's gate 18. Consent was granted for the project in July 2011. Consent for the project expires in 2021. 44°19′S 170°14′E / 44.317°S 170.233°E / -44.317; 170.233 This article about
684-462: The 1940s. As a result of people moving to work at the local hydro electricity development, Omarama School increased in size to a four-teacher school in the late 1980s. Today, 2.5 FTE of teachers teach at the school and its catchment area serves Omarama and a wide area of the Upper Waitaki high country. Omarama School caters for new entrants to Year 8 children with two classrooms, a school library and
722-403: The 2023 census, Mackenzie Lakes had a smaller boundary, covering 5,134.25 km (1,982.35 sq mi). Using that boundary, Mackenzie Lakes had a population of 1,182 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 300 people (34.0%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 399 people (51.0%) since the 2006 census . There were 375 households, comprising 585 males and 597 females, giving
760-524: The Department of Conservation for the potential ecological effects, and since it may clash with a proposed Mackenzie Basin Drylands Park. 44°03′36″S 170°27′00″E / 44.06000°S 170.45000°E / -44.06000; 170.45000 Omarama Omarama ( Māori : Ōmarama ) is a small town (population 291 as of the 2018 census) at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83 , near
798-548: The Mackenzie Basin serves as an important area for New Zealand-based astronomy , with a number of related facilities located there, including the nation's premier astronomical observatory, the University of Canterbury 's Mount John University Observatory , and several amateur observatories. Astronomy-related tourism is an increasing contributor to the area's economy, with more astro-tourism ventures in development near Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook village (planetarium) and Omarama. Each June
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#1732869985257836-568: The annual mid winter star party is held at new moon on the Omarama airfield. In June 2012, an area of 430,000 hectares (1,100,000 acres) including Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin was declared the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association . At the time of the designation in 2012, the reserve was the largest in the world, and
874-472: The area was soon divided up amongst new sheep pasture stations in 1857. The basin extends approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) north to south, and 40 kilometres (25 mi) east to west. The Southern Alps constitute its western edge. The Mackenzie Basin is located entirely within South Canterbury . Using State Highway 8 , it can be accessed via Burkes Pass (elevation 709m / 2,326 ft) from
912-417: The census's question about religious affiliation, 54.6% had no religion, 30.9% were Christian , 2.1% were Hindu , 1.0% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 39 (14.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 42 (15.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 42 people (15.9%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
950-440: The disproportionally high number of threatened plant species in the Mackenzie Basin. The plan attracted opposition at submission hearings. There is currently a high demand for water to irrigate the Mackenzie Basin, with 126 resource consents from 36 applicants before Environment Canterbury as of mid-2009. The water would be used to irrigate an area of 27,125 hectares (67,030 acres), but the schemes are opposed by many locals and
988-483: The government and Ngāi Tahu leaders. In 1879, they were evicted by an armed constabulary. Te Maiharoa and his followers then moved to the mouth of the Waitaki River. Although traditionally sheep country, Omarama area farms, along with those within the rest of the Mackenzie Basin , have rapidly converted to predominantly dairy farming, due to falling sheep meat and wool prices, and the recent boom in dairy product earnings. The dairy conversion has made major changes to
1026-531: The local environment, with iconic tussock lands being ploughed and replaced by pasture , facilitated by new irrigation schemes. Large centre pivot irrigators and private canal networks now dominate much of the landscape. Recently however, diminishing returns on dairy-based agriculture have led to farmers investigating alternative methods and practices, some now experimenting with biofuel crops. There are many rivers and lakes in and near Omarama suitable for recreational fishing. The nearby Ahuriri River
1064-681: The north and the Lindis Pass (elevation 965m / 3,166 ft) from the south, or via State Highway 83 through the Waitaki Valley from the east. Aside from these passes, the terrain is generally highest at the northern end and gradually descends in a southward direction. The basin is drained by the Waitaki River . Prominent rivers crossing the Mackenzie Basin include the Ahuriri , the Hakataramea and
1102-553: The only reserve of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. The statistical area of Mackenzie Lakes corresponds to the portion of the Mackenzie Basin within the Mackenzie District. It includes Mt Cook Village and Lake Tekapo, but not Twizel. Mackenzie Lakes covers 5,139.71 km (1,984.45 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,440 as of June 2024, with a population density of 0.28 people per km . Before
1140-476: The southern end of the Mackenzie Basin , in the South Island of New Zealand. Omarama is in the Waitaki District , in the southern Canterbury region. The Ahuriri River is a short distance to the north of the township. Omarama is 30 km (20 minutes drive) southwest of Twizel , 40 km (30 minutes drive) southeast of Lake Ōhau and 32 km (21 minutes drive) northeast of the Lindis Pass . Omarama
1178-406: The sparsely populated area is now also a popular tourism destination. The basin was named in the 1850s by and after James Mckenzie , a shepherd and would-be farmer of Scottish origin. Mckenzie was captured for allegedly stealing sheep; he herded his flocks in what was then an area almost totally empty of any human habitation, though Māori previously lived there intermittently. After his capture,
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1216-509: The town. There are three skifields within the MacKenzie Basin; Ōhau , Round Hill , and Mount Dobson . Omarama is on the route of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail , after the trail was constructed following approval in 2010. Omarama is a popular holiday destination amongst those living in surrounding districts and provinces, many owning family holiday residences within the village. Tramping
1254-413: The trees from spreading. Rabbits are a common invasive species in the area affect both agricultural production and biodiversity . Rabbit numbers dropped after the introduction of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RCD) but are now increasing. The Department of Conservation has plans to drop sodium fluoroacetate (1080) laced poison bait to control the rabbit numbers. This is seen as necessary due to
1292-482: Was $ 34,700, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 93 people (14.0%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 411 (61.7%) people were employed full-time, 93 (14.0%) were part-time, and 3 (0.5%) were unemployed. The Omarama area had numerous important food sources ( kāinga mahinga kai ) for the Ngāi Tahu Māori iwi (tribe) in what would later be named
1330-644: Was $ 36,500, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 141 people (13.7%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 780 (76.0%) people were employed full-time, 117 (11.4%) were part-time, and 3 (0.3%) were unemployed. The original vegetation cover prior to human settlement has been completely transformed in the basin and indeed most of the surrounding Canterbury-Otago tussock grasslands ecoregion, initially due to fires lit by Māori and European settlers, and in more recent times by farming activity and by pests. The extensive network of canals for hydroelectric schemes posed
1368-410: Was 20.8, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.7% had no religion, 36.9% were Christian , 2.0% were Hindu , 1.2% were Buddhist and 0.8% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 90 (13.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 105 (15.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
1406-429: Was 43.4, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.6% had no religion, 31.0% were Christian , 1.8% were Hindu , 1.0% were Muslim , 2.8% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 279 (27.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 81 (7.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
1444-419: Was that 159 (60.2%) people were employed full-time, and 42 (15.9%) were part-time. The Aviemore statistical area, which also includes Otematata , covers 3,483.90 km (1,345.14 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,030 as of June 2024, with a population density of 0.30 people per km . Aviemore had a population of 765 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 63 people (9.0%) since
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