|
| |
Otematata - Lake Benmore
Origins of Otematata
|
Surrounded by rugged peaks and
beautiful lakes of the Waitaki Valley, this area echoes with tales of long
ago. The earliest inhabitants were Maoris on hunting expeditions or
traveling through the valley to reach the inland areas and mountain passes.
The Maori name `Otematata' means `Place of good flint.'
In the 1800s, organised settlement of the land began and permanent settlers,
with their families, moved into the valley. Many of the descendants of these
pioneering rural families still live in the area.
Today the valley is greatly changed. It is no longer just a powerful river,
but a series of beautiful lakes created by the building of three dams for
electricity generation: Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki. From Waitaki, the
oldest dam in the chain, the river flows on to the sea. |
The Township
|
Otematata 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
1990's.
At the time Otematata was a flourishing town, with a single men's
accommodation area, family housing area, shopping area, cinema, library,
recreation halls, sports pavilion and playing fields, a High School and
Junior School, a permanent village for ECNZ, an industrial area and a
maternity hospital. The village had more than 60 clubs, representing nearly
every social and sporting activity.
Otematata was designed with safety in mind. There are no four-way
intersections of the roads, but only T-junctions.
When construction of Benmore was at its peak and Aviemore in its initial
stages, a labour force of 1650 was employed by the Ministry of Works and its
contractors on the two projects. Otematata's population fluctuated around
the 4000 mark. |
Today
|
In 1996, Otematata had a
population of 360 permanent residents. There are also many part-time
residents, and in the summer the population swells dramatically.
Less than half the houses, a golf course (9 holes), a bowling club, a
primary school, swimming pool and library, and one shop remain today from
what was there during the construction of the dams.
ECNZ's presence is now minimal, and Otematata is becoming a village of
holiday homes. It is a popular holiday village with a hotel, restaurant,
camping ground and basic services. Several small business have been
established in recent years.
This small township has its own micro-climate, nestled next to Lake Aviemore,
at the base of Totara Peak. It avoids the extreme temperatures experienced
in the Mackenzie Basin, and also the cloudy, cooler, wetter weather of more
coastal areas.
Otematata is surrounded by High Country Stations which farm Merino (a type
of sheep bred for their fine fibre). The High Country is bleak and barren,
but eye-catching. There is now a lovely scenic recreational area with lakes,
trees, walks, bird sanctuary, and boat harbour. Benmore Dam (made of earth)
blends into the countryside like no other. And during autumn the
multi-coloured scenery is breath-taking! |
| |
|
