Editing Oamaru

{{Moresources|date=September 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                   = Oamaru
| native_name            = Te Oha-a-Maru ([[Māori language|Māori]])
| native_name_lang       = mi
| settlement_type        = Town
| image_skyline          = File:Oamaru Victoria style buildings (cropped).jpg
| image_alt              = 
| image_caption          = Oamaru's historic section of Tyne Street
| pushpin_map            = 
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt        =
| pushpin_map_caption    = 
| image_map              = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|-45.098|170.971}}|zoom=12}}
| coordinates            = {{coord|-45.098|170.971|region:NZ-OTA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_name       = New Zealand
| subdivision_type1      = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
| subdivision_name1      = [[Otago]]
| subdivision_type2      = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]]
| subdivision_name2      = [[Waitaki District]]
| subdivision_type3      = Ward
| subdivision_name3      = Oamaru Ward
| seat_type              = Electorates
| seat                   = {{ubl|[[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki]]|[[Te Tai Tonga]] (Māori)}}
| leader_title           = {{nowrap|Territorial authority}}
| leader_name            = [[Waitaki District Council]]
| leader_title1          = Regional council
| leader_name1           = [[Otago Regional Council]]
| leader_title2          = [[Mayor of Waitaki]]
| leader_name2           = {{NZ officeholder data|Waitaki District Mayor|y}}
| leader_title3          = [[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki MP]]
| leader_name3           = {{NZ officeholder data|Waitaki MP|y}}
| leader_title4          = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]]
| leader_name4           = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}}
| established_title      =
| established_date       =
| area_magnitude         =
| area_footnotes         = <ref name="Area"/>
| area_total_km2         = 20.21
| area_water_percent     =
| area_note              =
| elevation_footnotes    =
| elevation_m            =
| population_footnotes   = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}}
| population_total       = {{NZ population data 2018|Oamaru|y}}
| population_as_of       = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est         =
| pop_est_as_of          =
| population_demonym     = Oamaruvian
| population_note        =
| timezone1              = NZST
| utc_offset1            = +12
| timezone1_DST          = NZDT
| utc_offset1_DST        = +13
| postal_code_type       = Post code
| postal_code            = 9400
| area_code_type         = Area code
| area_code              = 03
| website                =
| blank_name             = Local [[iwi]]
| blank_info             = [[Ngāi Tahu]]
| footnotes              =
}}
'''Oamaru''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-nz-Oamaru.ogg|ˌ|ɒ|m|ə|ˈ|r|uː}}; {{langx|mi|Te Oha-a-Maru}}) is the largest town in [[North Otago]], in the [[South Island]] of New Zealand, it is the main town in the [[Waitaki District]]. It is {{Convert|80|km|}} south of [[Timaru]] and {{convert|120|km|}} north of [[Dunedin]] on the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast; [[State Highway 1 (New Zealand)|State Highway 1]] and the railway [[Main South Line]] connect it to both cities. With a population of {{NZ population data 2018||y}},<ref name="NZ_population_data_2018" /> Oamaru is the [[List of New Zealand urban areas|28th largest urban area]] in New Zealand, and the third largest in Otago behind [[Dunedin]] and [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]]. The town is the seat of Waitaki District, which includes the surrounding towns of [[Kurow]], [[Weston, New Zealand|Weston]], [[Palmerston, New Zealand|Palmerston]], and [[Hampden, New Zealand|Hampden]], which combined have a total population of 23,200.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996–2020 (2020 boundaries)|url=http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE7979|access-date=25 April 2021|website=nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz|archive-date=23 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123170945/http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE7979|url-status=live}}</ref>

Friendly Bay is a popular recreational area located at the edge of Oamaru Harbour, south of Oamaru's main centre. Just to the north of Oamaru is the substantial Alliance [[Abattoir]] at [[Pukeuri]], at a major junction with [[State Highway 83 (New Zealand)|State Highway 83]], the main route into the [[Waitaki Valley]]. This provides a road link to Kurow, [[Omarama]], [[Otematata]] and via the [[Lindis Pass]] to Queenstown and Wānaka. Oamaru serves as the eastern gateway to the [[Mackenzie Basin]], via the Waitaki Valley.

Oamaru has been built between the rolling hills of limestone and short stretch of flat land to the sea. This limestone rock is used for the construction of local "[[Oamaru stone]]", sometimes called "Whitestone" buildings.

Oamaru enjoys a protected location in the shelter of [[Cape Wanbrow]]. The town was laid out in 1858 by Otago's provincial surveyor [[John Turnbull Thomson]], who named the early streets after British rivers, particularly rivers in the northwest and southeast of the country.

The name ''Oamaru'' derives from the [[Māori language|Māori]] and can be translated as 'the place of Maru' ({{cf.}} Timaru).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/1000-maori-place-names|title=1000 Māori place names|publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage|date=6 August 2019|access-date=15 September 2019|archive-date=6 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106171905/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/1000-maori-place-names|url-status=live}}</ref> The identity of Maru remains open to conjecture.

== History ==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2017}}
===Māori settlement===
There are some important archaeological sites around Oamaru. Those at the [[Waitaki River]] mouth and at [[Heavy-footed moa|Awamoa]] both date from the Archaic (moa-hunter) phase of [[Māori culture]], when New Zealand's human population clustered along the south-east coast from about AD 1100. The Waitaki River mouth had at least 1,200 ovens. Awamoa saw the first archaeological excavation in New Zealand when W.B.D. Mantell dug there at Christmas 1847 and in 1852. Smaller Archaic sites exist at Cape Wanbrow and at Beach Road in central Oamaru. The distinctive Archaic art of the Waitaki Valley rock shelters dates from this period — some of it presumably made by the occupants of these sites. The area also features Classic and Protohistoric sites, from after about AD 1500, at Tamahaerewhenua, Tekorotuaheka, Te Punamaru, Papakaio, and [[Kakanui]].<ref>{{Cite book
  |first=Jill  |last=Hamel
  |title=The Archaeology of Otago
  |publisher=Department of Conservation  |location=Wellington
  |year=2001
  |pages=16, 18, 22 & 82
}}</ref>

Māori tradition tells of the ancient people Kahui Tipua building a canoe, ''[[Āraiteuru]]'', which sailed from southern New Zealand to the ancestral [[Polynesia]]n homeland, [[Hawaiki]], to obtain [[sweet potato|kūmara]]. On its return it became waterlogged off the Waitaki River mouth, lost food baskets at [[Moeraki]] beach and ended up wrecked at Matakaea (Shag Point) where it turned into Danger Reef. After the wreck a crew member, Pahihiwitahi, seeking water, discovered the Waitaki River, but on returning south and failing to reach the wreck before dawn he was turned into a hill in the Shag Valley. Modern academics have suggested this tale is an allegorical explanation of the fact that kūmara will not grow south of [[Banks Peninsula]].

{{wide image|Oamaru Coast.jpg|780px|View of Oamaru and the coast to the north, from above the south end of the town}}

===European contact===
On 20 February 1770 [[James Cook]] in the ''[[HM Bark Endeavour|Endeavour]]'' reached a position very close to the Waitaki mouth and "about 3 Miles [5&nbsp;km] from the shore", according to his journal. He said the land "here is very low and flat and continues so up to the skirts of the Hills which are at least 4 or 5 Miles [6–8&nbsp;km] in land. The whole face of the Country appears barren, nor did we see any signs of inhabitants." He stayed on this part of the coast four days. Sydney Parkinson, the expedition's artist, described what seems to be Cape Wanbrow, in Oamaru. On 20 February he wrote "...we were near the land, which formed an agreeable view to the naked eye. The hills were of a moderate height, having flats that extended from them a long way, bordered by a perpendicular rocky cliff next to the sea."

Māori did live in the area, and [[seal hunting|sealers]] visited the coast in 1814. The [[Sealers' War|Creed manuscript]], discovered in 2003, records:
<blockquote>
Some of the [local] people [had been] absent on a feasting expedition to meet a great party from Taumutu, Akaroa, Orawenua [Arowhenua]. They were returning. The [sealers'] boat passed on to the Bluff 8 miles [13&nbsp;km] north of Moeraki where they landed & arranged their boat – & lay down to sleep in their boat. At night Pukuheke, father of Te More, went to the boat, found them asleep & came back to the other Natives south of the Bluff. They went with 100 [men] killing 5 Europeans & eat them. Two of the seven escaped through the darkness of the night & fled as far as Goodwood, Bobby's Head, after being 2 days and nights on the way.
</blockquote>

Pukuheke's party killed and ate these as well. The Pākehā, a party from the ''Matilda'' (Captain Fowler), under the first mate Robert Brown with two other Europeans and five lascars or Indian seamen, made eight in all, not seven as the manuscript says. They had been sent in an open boat from Stewart Island in search of a party of absconding lascars. Brown must have had some reason for searching for them on the North Otago coast.

After [[Te Rauparaha]]'s sack of the large [[pā (Māori)|pā (fortified settlement)]] at [[Kaiapoi]] near modern [[Christchurch]] in 1831, refugees came south and gained permission to settle at Kakaunui (Kakanui), and the territory between Pukeuri and Waianakarua, including the site of urban Oamaru, became their domain.<ref>{{Cite book
  |last1=Anderson |first1=Atholl |author1-link=Atholl Anderson
  |title=The Welcome of Strangers
  |publisher=Otago University Press  |location=Dunedin
  |year=1998
  |pages=90, 107
}}</ref>

===Nineteenth century onwards===
[[File:Oamaru Harbour 1890s SLNSW FL1051485.jpg|thumb|Oamaru from Signal Station, New Zealand, c. 1895]]
[[File:Oamaruhistoric.jpg|thumb|Part of Oamaru's historic district]]
[[Whaling|Whalers]] sometimes visited this part of the coast in the 1830s. The ''Jason'', for example, probably of [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] in the United States, Captain Chester, was reported at "Otago Bluff" south of Kakanui, with {{convert|2500|oilbbl}} of oil, on 1 December 1839.<ref>{{Cite book
  |first=Ian  |last=Church
  |title=Otago's Infant Years
  |publisher=Otago Heritage Books  |location=Dunedin
  |year=2002
  |page=48
}}</ref>

[[Edward Shortland]] visited the area in 1844, coming overland from [[Waikouaiti]]. On 9 January he recorded "Our path to-day was sometimes along the edge of a low cliff, sometimes along the beach, till we approached Oamaru point, where it turned inland, and crossed a low range of hills, from which we looked over an extensive plain … Towards the afternoon, we ascended a range of hills called Pukeuri, separating this plain from another more extensive. The sky was so remarkably clear that, from the highest point of the pathway, Moeraki was distinctly in view..." He made a map and placed Oamaru on it. He was one of several Europeans who passed through the area on foot in the 1840s. James Saunders became the first European resident of the district some time before 1850 when he settled to trade among the Māori of the Waitaki River mouth.<ref>{{Cite book
  |editor-first=A.H.  |editor-last=McLintock 
  |title=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
  |publisher=Government Printer  |location=Wellington
  |year=1966
  |volume=2
  |page=705}}</ref>
[[File:Oamaru Post Office.jpg|thumb|Waitaki District Council building, Thames Street, Oamaru. Formerly the Oamaru Chief Post Office <ref>{{Cite web|title=Search the List {{!}} Oamaru Chief Post Office (Former) {{!}} Heritage New Zealand|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/2294|access-date=25 April 2021|website=www.heritage.org.nz|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428070910/https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/2294|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
More European settlers arrived in the Oamaru area in the 1850s. Hugh Robison built and lived in a sod hut by Oamaru Creek in 1853 while establishing his [[sheep station|sheep run]]. J.T. Thomson surveyed the place as a town in 1859, and the [[Otago Province|Otago Provincial government]] declared "hundreds" there on 30 November 1860. 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. A boost was given by public works, including harbour development, and an export trade in wool and grain from the 1860s. Following the loss of a number of vessels off the coast, construction of a breakwater designed by engineer John McGregor started in 1871. The building of this breakwater was influential in the development of [[block-setting crane#Moa|new forms of crane]].<ref name="Oamaru" >{{Cite web
  |title=A short background and history of ''Moa''
  |website=Historical Crane Society
  |year=2009
|url=http://historicalcranesociety.org/Moa_at_Oamaru.html}}</ref> 

For many years there was a commercial and fishing harbour under [[Cape Wanbrow]] at Friendly Bay. With the development of pastoralism and the associated frozen-meat industry having its historical origins in New Zealand just south of the town at Totara, Oamaru flourished. Institutions such as the Athenaeum, Chief Post Office and [[Waitaki Boys' High School|Waitaki Boys']] and [[Waitaki Girls' High School]]s sprang up. The locally plentiful limestone ([[Oamaru stone]]) lent itself to carving and good designers, such as John Lemon (1828–1890), Thomas Forrester (1838–1907) and his son J.M. Forrester (1865–1965), and craftsmen utilised it. By the time of the [[Long Depression|depression of the 1880s]] Oamaru was home to an impressive array of buildings and the "best built and most mortgaged town in Australasia".<ref>{{Cite book
  |first=Richard  |last=Greenaway 
  |chapter=Limestone Buildings of Oamaru
  |editor-first=Frances  |editor-last=Porter
  |title=Historic Buildings of New Zealand South Island
  |publisher=Methuen  |location=Auckland
  |year=1983
  |isbn=0-456-03120-0
  |page=143
}}</ref>

A major factor in the near bankruptcy of the town was the construction of the Oamaru Borough Water Race,<ref>[https://collection.culturewaitaki.org.nz/objects/134877/oamaru-borough-water-race-original-contract]</ref>{{clarify|date=June 2019|reason=It seems to have been a useful project, so what led to "near bankruptcy"?}} an [[aqueduct (water supply)|aqueduct]] completed after three years' work in 1880. This major engineering feat replaced the previous poor water supply, (obtained from the local creek running through the town) with abundant pure water (and energy for industrial machinery driven by [[water engine|water motors]]) from the Waitaki river and conducted water in an open channel for almost 50&nbsp;km through hilly farmland from Kurow to the Oamaru reservoir at Ardgowan, until it was decommissioned and abandoned in 1983. Today much of the former infrastructure is still intact and can still be traced.  

The district went "dry" in 1906, and stayed that way until 1960 – the last South Island district to resume alcohol sales.

Development slowed apart from a few years in the 1920s, and in the 1950s, but the population continued to grow until the 1970s. With the closure of the port the local economy began to stall, and New Zealand then went through radical economic restructuring in the mid 1980s – known as "[[Rogernomics]]". North Otago was then hit by two droughts from 1988 to 1989 and again from 1997 to 1999. Oamaru found itself hard hit. In response it started to re-invent itself, becoming one of the first New Zealand towns to realise that its built heritage was an asset.

A public art museum, the [[Forrester Gallery]] (whose first curator in 1882 was Thomas Forrester), opened in 1983 in [[Robert Lawson (architect)|R.A. Lawson]]'s neo-classical [[Westpac|Bank of New South Wales]] building. Restoration of other buildings also took place. The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust was formed in 1987 with a vision of redeveloping the original commercial and business district of Oamaru's Harbour and Tyne Streets, and work began on restoring the historic precinct beside the port, perhaps the most atmospheric urban area in New Zealand. By the early 21st century, "heritage" had become a conspicuous industry and {{As of|2014|alt=today}}, the number of buildings owned by the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust had grown from the original eight to 17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historicoamaru.co.nz/aboutus.html|title=History of the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust|publisher=Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072212/http://www.historicoamaru.co.nz/aboutus.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Climate ==
The [[Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]] classifies the climate of Oamaru as [[oceanic climate|oceanic]] (Cfb).<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{Cite web |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/21447/ |title=Climate: Oamaru – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |publisher=Climate-Data.org |access-date=6 December 2013 |archive-date=10 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210143825/http://en.climate-data.org/location/21447/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Oamaru (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1966–present)
| Jan record high C = 33.8
| Feb record high C = 37.4
| Mar record high C = 32.0
| Apr record high C = 27.5
| May record high C = 25.8
| Jun record high C = 21.2
| Jul record high C = 20.2
| Aug record high C = 23.2
| Sep record high C = 26.1
| Oct record high C = 29.6
| Nov record high C = 31.3
| Dec record high C = 33.6
| year record high C = 37.4
| Jan avg record high C  = 29.4
| Feb avg record high C  = 28.5
| Mar avg record high C  = 27.4
| Apr avg record high C  = 23.5
| May avg record high C  = 21.0
| Jun avg record high C  = 17.9
| Jul avg record high C  = 17.8
| Aug avg record high C  = 19.4
| Sep avg record high C  = 22.3
| Oct avg record high C  = 24.7
| Nov avg record high C  = 26.9
| Dec avg record high C  = 27.4
| year avg record high C = 31.2
|Jan high C = 	19.7
|Feb high C = 	19.3
|Mar high C = 	18.4
|Apr high C = 	16.1
|May high C = 	13.9
|Jun high C = 	11.6
|Jul high C = 	11.0
|Aug high C = 	11.6
|Sep high C = 	13.7
|Oct high C = 	15.4
|Nov high C = 	16.8
|Dec high C = 	18.2
| year high C = 	
|Jan mean C = 	15.2
|Feb mean C = 	15.0
|Mar mean C = 	13.8
|Apr mean C = 	11.5
|May mean C = 	9.3
|Jun mean C = 	7.2
|Jul mean C = 	6.5
|Aug mean C = 	7.4
|Sep mean C = 	9.2
|Oct mean C = 	10.7
|Nov mean C = 	12.1
|Dec mean C = 	13.9
| year mean C = 	
|Jan low C = 	10.7
|Feb low C = 	10.6
|Mar low C = 	9.1
|Apr low C = 	6.9
|May low C = 	4.8
|Jun low C = 	2.7
|Jul low C = 	2.0
|Aug low C = 	3.1
|Sep low C = 	4.7
|Oct low C = 	6.0
|Nov low C = 	7.5
|Dec low C = 	9.6
| year low C = 	
| Jan avg record low C  = 5.3
| Feb avg record low C  = 5.6
| Mar avg record low C  = 3.8
| Apr avg record low C  = 1.9
| May avg record low C  = 0.1
| Jun avg record low C  = -1.4
| Jul avg record low C  = -2.0
| Aug avg record low C  = -1.1
| Sep avg record low C  = -0.4
| Oct avg record low C  = 0.8
| Nov avg record low C  = 2.2
| Dec avg record low C  = 4.5
| year avg record low C = -2.3
|Jan record low C  = 0.6
|Feb record low C  = 1.1
|Mar record low C  = 0.6
|Apr record low C  = -1.1
|May record low C  =  -4.2
|Jun record low C  = -4.4
|Jul record low C  = -5.4
|Aug record low C  = -5.6
|Sep record low C  = -1.6
|Oct record low C  = -2.0
|Nov record low C  = 0.2
|Dec record low C  = 0.7
|year record low C = -5.6
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 	50.2
|Feb rain mm = 	51.5
|Mar rain mm = 	43.2
|Apr rain mm = 	68.5
|May rain mm = 	73.4
|Jun rain mm = 	43.6
|Jul rain mm = 	59.2
|Aug rain mm = 	46.0
|Sep rain mm = 	30.3
|Oct rain mm = 	55.5
|Nov rain mm = 	58.5
|Dec rain mm = 	58.7
|year rain mm = 	
|source 1 = NIWA<ref name= NIWA>{{cite web
|url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo – National Climate Database : Oamaru Aws
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 19 May 2024
|archive-date = 27 November 2015
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151127002612/http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 5275, 5407, 25937, 40986)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 14 Aug 2024
|archive-date = 10 March 2020
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200310121410/https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Oamaru Airport (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1967–1985, 1999–present) 
| Jan record high C = 33.4
| Feb record high C = 37.7
| Mar record high C = 30.5
| Apr record high C = 26.9
| May record high C = 26.1
| Jun record high C = 22.7
| Jul record high C = 20.0
| Aug record high C = 22.6
| Sep record high C = 26.4
| Oct record high C = 30.4
| Nov record high C = 30.9
| Dec record high C = 31.9
| year record high C = 37.7
| Jan avg record high C  = 29.0
| Feb avg record high C  = 27.8
| Mar avg record high C  = 26.2
| Apr avg record high C  = 23.3
| May avg record high C  = 20.5
| Jun avg record high C  = 18.0
| Jul avg record high C  = 17.2
| Aug avg record high C  = 18.7
| Sep avg record high C  = 21.8
| Oct avg record high C  = 24.0
| Nov avg record high C  = 26.1
| Dec avg record high C  = 27.4
| year avg record high C = 30.9
| Jan high C  = 19.5
| Feb high C  = 19.2
| Mar high C  = 18.1
| Apr high C  = 15.6
| May high C  = 13.3
| Jun high C  = 11.1
| Jul high C  = 10.5
| Aug high C  = 11.5
| Sep high C  = 13.7
| Oct high C  = 15.2
| Nov high C  = 16.6
| Dec high C  = 18.3
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C  = 15.1
| Feb mean C  = 14.9
| Mar mean C  = 13.5
| Apr mean C  = 10.9
| May mean C  = 8.5
| Jun mean C  = 6.2
| Jul mean C  = 5.5
| Aug mean C  = 6.6
| Sep mean C  = 8.6
| Oct mean C  = 10.2
| Nov mean C  = 11.9
| Dec mean C  = 14.0
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C  = 10.7
| Feb low C  = 10.5
| Mar low C  = 8.9
| Apr low C  = 6.2
| May low C  = 3.7
| Jun low C  = 1.3
| Jul low C  = 0.4
| Aug low C  = 1.7
| Sep low C  = 3.4
| Oct low C  = 5.3
| Nov low C  = 7.2
| Dec low C  = 9.6
| year low C = 
| Jan avg record low C  = 4.9
| Feb avg record low C  = 5.0
| Mar avg record low C  = 3.1
| Apr avg record low C  = 0.9
| May avg record low C  = -1.4
| Jun avg record low C  = -3.1
| Jul avg record low C  = -4.0
| Aug avg record low C  = -3.0
| Sep avg record low C  = -2.0
| Oct avg record low C  = 0.1
| Nov avg record low C  = 1.6
| Dec avg record low C  = 4.5
| year avg record low C = -4.3
|Jan record low C  = 1.8
|Feb record low C  = 2.4
|Mar record low C  = 0.8
|Apr record low C  = -1.6
|May record low C  =  -4.0
|Jun record low C  = -5.7
|Jul record low C  = -6.3
|Aug record low C  = -4.8
|Sep record low C  = -5.0
|Oct record low C  = -2.4
|Nov record low C  = -0.8
|Dec record low C  = 1.1
|year record low C = -6.3
|rain colour = green	
|Jan rain mm = 50.4
|Feb rain mm = 47.6
|Mar rain mm = 39.7
|Apr rain mm = 44.0
|May rain mm = 44.6
|Jun rain mm = 42.8
|Jul rain mm = 42.3
|Aug rain mm = 45.8
|Sep rain mm = 31.5
|Oct rain mm = 39.5
|Nov rain mm = 47.7
|Dec rain mm = 53.3
|year rain mm = 	
|source 1 = NIWA <ref>{{cite web
|url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent numbers: 5141, 5142)
|publisher = NIWA
|access-date = 14 Aug 2024
|archive-date = 10 March 2020
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200310121410/https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==
Oamaru is described by Statistics New Zealand as a medium urban area, which covers {{Convert|20.21|km2||abbr=on}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=3 December 2021|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214063818/https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|url-status=live}}</ref> and had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Oamaru|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Oamaru|y}}|R}}/20.21|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|12,030|2013|12,306|2018|13,107|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}}
Before the 2023 census, Oamaru had a larger boundary, covering {{Convert|21.46|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> Using that boundary, Oamaru had a population of 13,107 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 801 people (6.5%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 1,077 people (9.0%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 5,463 households, comprising 6,267 males and 6,840 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.92 males per female, with 2,328 people (17.8%) aged under 15 years, 2,016 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 5,439 (41.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 3,324 (25.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.9% European/[[Pākehā]], 8.1% [[Māori people|Māori]], 6.0% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 4.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 1.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 15.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 45.4% had no religion, 43.6% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.2% had [[Religion of Māori people|Māori religious beliefs]], 0.6% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.4% were [[Islam in New Zealand|Muslim]], 0.4% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 1.6% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,242 (11.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 3,021 (28.0%) people had no formal qualifications. 1,017 people (9.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 4,668 (43.3%) people were employed full-time, 1,545 (14.3%) were part-time, and 312 (2.9%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Glen Warren (344200), Holmes Hill (344300), Oamaru Central (344400), Oamaru Gardens (344100), Oamaru North Milner Park (343900), Oamaru North Orana Park (344000), South Hill (344500) and Weston (343800)}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+Individual statistical areas (2018 boundaries)
|-
!Name !! Area (km<sup>2</sup>) !! Population !! Density (per km<sup>2</sup>) || Households !! Median age !! Median income
|-
| Glen Warren || style="text-align:right;"|1.80 || style="text-align:right;"|1,632 || style="text-align:right;"|907 || style="text-align:right;"|675 || 46.0 years || $24,500<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|glen-warren|Glen Warren}}</ref>
|-
| Holmes Hill || style="text-align:right;"|2.62 || style="text-align:right;"|1,332 || style="text-align:right;"|508 || style="text-align:right;"|603 || 54.1 years || $26,700<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|holmes-hill|Holmes Hill}}</ref>
|-
| Oamaru Central || style="text-align:right;"|0.96 || style="text-align:right;"|294 || style="text-align:right;"|306 || style="text-align:right;"|132 || 59.4 years || $21,500<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|oamaru-central|Oamaru Central}}</ref>
|-
| Oamaru Gardens || style="text-align:right;"|1.42 || style="text-align:right;"|1,179 || style="text-align:right;"|830 || style="text-align:right;"|522 || 47.3 years || $27,900<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|oamaru-gardens|Oamaru Gardens}}</ref>
|-
| Oamaru North Milner Park || style="text-align:right;"|7.13 || style="text-align:right;"|2,529 || style="text-align:right;"|355 || style="text-align:right;"|981 || 48.0 years || $24,400<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|oamaru-north-milner-park|Oamaru North Milner Park}}</ref>
|-
| Oamaru North Orana Park || style="text-align:right;"|2.76 || style="text-align:right;"|2,907 || style="text-align:right;"|1,053 || style="text-align:right;"|1,158 || 42.3 years || $26,000<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|oamaru-north-orana-park|Oamaru North Orana Park}}</ref>
|-
| South Hill || style="text-align:right;"|1.45 || style="text-align:right;"|2,184 || style="text-align:right;"|1,506 || style="text-align:right;"|981 || 46.1 years || $28,000<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|south-hill|South Hill}}</ref>
|-
| [[Weston, New Zealand|Weston]] || style="text-align:right;"|3.31 || style="text-align:right;"|1,050 || style="text-align:right;"|317 || style="text-align:right;"|411 || 46.0 years || $34,900<ref>{{NZ census place summary 2018|weston|Weston}}</ref>
|-
! New Zealand !! !! !! !! !! 37.4 years !! style="text-align:left;"| $31,800
|}

== Government ==
The [[Mayor of Waitaki|mayor of Waitaki District]] is Gary Kircher.

Oamaru is part of the parliamentary electorate of [[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki]], and since 2023 has been represented by [[Miles Anderson (politician)|Miles Anderson]] of the [[New Zealand National Party]].

== Recreation and leisure ==
The beautiful [[Oamaru Opera House]] on Thames Street, officially opened on 7 October 1907,<ref>{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://oamaruoperahouse.co.nz/visiting-our-venue/history/|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Oamaru Opera House|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428081233/https://oamaruoperahouse.co.nz/visiting-our-venue/history/|url-status=live}}</ref> is home to much of Oamaru's live entertainment and performances. It was restored in 2009. The refurbishment won the Public Architecture category of the 2010 Southern Architecture Awards and the 2011 NZIA Heritage award for Heritage Conservation. Oamaru Opera House is one of the most significant heritage sites in Oamaru, important to the town and nationally to New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Search the List {{!}} Oamaru Town Hall and Opera House (Former) {{!}} Heritage New Zealand|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7356|access-date=25 April 2021|website=www.heritage.org.nz|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428043319/https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7356|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Waitaki District Library has branches situated in Oamaru, Palmerston, Kurow, Hampden, Omarama, and Otematata (forming the Waitaki District Libraries syndicate).<ref>{{Cite web|title=About {{!}} Culture Waitaki|url=https://www.culturewaitaki.org.nz/waitaki-district-libraries/about|access-date=25 April 2021|website=www.culturewaitaki.org.nz|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425082514/https://www.culturewaitaki.org.nz/waitaki-district-libraries/about|url-status=live}}</ref>

Oamaru Public Library began life as the Oamaru Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute in 1878, but by 1973, library services had outgrown the building. A new library building was proposed, situated next-door to the 'old' Athenaeum library, and the new library was officially opened by the Mayor, Mr R.D. Allen on 19 September 1975.

Oamaru Repertory Theatre<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oamaru Repertory Society|url=https://www.waitakigroups.co.nz/listing/oamaru-repertory-society/|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Waitaki Groups and Clubs Directory|language=en-US}}</ref> is located on Itchen Street and is the home of Oamaru's live theatre productions.

== Sports ==
Oamaru has a comprehensive range of community sporting facilities for rugby, tennis, swimming, netball, cricket, golf, hockey, and bowls. Centennial Park is Oamaru's major sporting venue, and is the home of [[North Otago Rugby Football Union]] and [[North Otago Cricket]]. The council also owns and operates the Oamaru Aquatic Centre.

==Notable people==

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]], [[Greg McGee]] and [[Fiona Farrell Poole]]. 

Other notable people born and educated in Oamaru include [[Des Wilson]], founder of the UK homelessness charity, [[Shelter (charity)|Shelter]]; Australian [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[Chris Watson]]; New Zealand politicians [[Arnold Nordmeyer]] and [[William Steward (New Zealand politician)|William Steward]]; [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[Thomas Stafford Williams]]; Sir [[Malcolm Grant]], former president and Provost of [[University College London]] and subsequently Chairman of [[NHS England]] and Chancellor of the [[University of York]]; and notably former [[All Blacks]] [[rugby union]] captain [[Richie McCaw]]. 

[[Fred Allen (rugby union)|Fred Allen]], an All Black of the 1940s who went on to coach the All Blacks to 14 wins from his 14 tests in the 1960s, was born in Oamaru, though not educated there. Another notable sports person is [[Gary Robertson (rower)|Gary Robertson]], who won gold at the 1972 Olympic Games, Munich, Germany in the NZ Rowing 8. Robertson is the only Olympic gold medalist from Waitaki. He was born in Waimate but grew up in Oamaru and was educated at Waitaki Boys High School.

The world first learned of the death of [[Robert Falcon Scott|Robert Scott]] and the members of his team on their return from the ill-fated [[Terra Nova Expedition|expedition to the South Pole]] by way of a cable sent from Oamaru, on 10 February 1913.

From 1906 to 1944 [[Frank Milner]] (1875–1944) was the headteacher at [[Waitaki Boys' High School]].

Notable students include [[Charles Brasch]] (1909–1973) at Waitaki (1923–1926), a poet and patron of artists; [[Douglas Lilburn]] (1915–2001), "the elder statesman of New Zealand music"; [[James Munro Bertram|James Bertram]] (1910–1993), writer and academic; [[Denis Blundell]], a future [[Governor-General of New Zealand]]; and [[Ian Milner]] (1911–1991), the Rector's son, a Czech and English scholar falsely accused of spying for Communism. His father, known as "The Man", died suddenly on 2 December 1944 while speaking at the opening of a stone gateway to Milner Park, Oamaru.

E.A. Gifford (1819–1894), an artist and [[Royal Academy|Royal Academician]], lived in Oamaru from 1877 to 1885 and from 1892 until his death. A genre, portrait and landscape painter he established a national reputation. His  ''Auckland from the Wharf'' of 1887 is probably the best-known image of 19th-century Auckland.

[[Robert Gillies (New Zealand politician)#Family|Emily Gillies]], a 19th-century Oamaru artist, was the daughter of C.H. Street, maternal niece of [[Edward Lear]] (1812–1888), the English watercolourist and writer of humorous verse. Lear's sister had virtually brought her brother up. When he died childless before her she inherited his collection. The internationally-significant group of works came to North Otago, where it remained intact until the early 1970s.

The artist [[Colin McCahon]] (1919–1987) lived in Oamaru from 1930 to 1931, attending the Middle School. The place and the North Otago landscape made an impression on him. He revisited the area several times as an adult on painting trips. Cartoonist [[John Kent (cartoonist)|John Kent]], who authored the ''[[Varoomshka]]'' [[comic strip]] for ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper in England, hailed from Oamaru.

A community of living artists {{As of|2008|alt= exists}}, and many dealer galleries have premises in the historic precinct. One of the town's principal living artists, [[Donna Demente]], produces portraits and masks. At least partly through her work Oamaru hosts an annual mask festival each July, the "Midwinter Masquerade". Another annual celebration, a Victorian Heritage fête, takes place in November.

Other noted former Oamaruvians include broadcaster [[Jim Mora (broadcaster)|Jim Mora]] and hockey player [[Scott Anderson (field hockey)|Scott Anderson]]. [[David Sewell]] played one test match for the New Zealand cricket team.

Video game designer [[Dean Hall (game designer)|Dean Hall]] grew up in Oamaru and attended Waitaki Boys' High School.<ref name="OtagoDaily_15Aug12">{{cite news
  |url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/221644/games-success-dazes-designer
  |title=Game's success dazes designer
  |work=[[Otago Daily Times]]
  |last=McNeilly |first=Hamish
  |date=15 August 2012
|access-date=17 September 2012
}}</ref> His interest in mountaineering was fostered while on a geography field trip while studying there, ultimately culminating in him summiting [[Mount Everest]] in May 2013.<ref name="OAM_Dhall">{{cite news
  |url=http://www.web-file.info/uncategorized/living-everest-dream/
  |title=Living Everest dream
  |publisher=[[Oamaru Mail]]
  |last=Ryan |first=Rebecca
  |date=31 May 2013
|access-date=16 October 2013
}}</ref>

== Points of interest ==
[[File:Oamaru neoclassical building.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A building made of Oamaru stone, in the neo-classical style]]
Oamaru contains over 70 buildings registered as Category 1 or 2 Historic Places in the [[Heritage New Zealand]] register.<ref>{{Cite web
  |url=http://www.historic.org.nz/the-register
  |title=Historic Places Trust New Zealand – Search the Register|publisher=New Zealand Historic Places Trust|access-date=3 April 2014
}}</ref>

Many public buildings use as their construction material the local limestone (quarried especially near Weston) known as [[Oamaru stone]]. The Victorian precinct in the southern part of Oamaru's main commercial district ranks as one of New Zealand's most impressive streetscapes<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whattoseeanddo.co.nz/south-island/oamarus-victorian-precinct.php|title=Oamaru's Victorian Precinct|publisher=What to See and Do (NZ Regional Promotions)|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306124546/http://www.whattoseeanddo.co.nz/south-island/oamarus-victorian-precinct.php|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/info/Oamarus-Victorian-Precinct_1502.htm|title=Oamaru's Victorian Precinct – 101 Must-Do's for Kiwi|publisher=[[New Zealand Automobile Association]]|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226144825/http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/info/Oamarus-Victorian-Precinct_1502.htm|archive-date=26 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> due to the many prominent 19th century buildings constructed from this material. Several key historic buildings in the area centred around Harbour Street and the lower Thames Street, Itchen Street, and Tyne Street area have been preserved by the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historicoamaru.co.nz/buildings.html|title=Trust Buildings|publisher=The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust|access-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620065240/http://www.historicoamaru.co.nz/buildings.html|archive-date=20 June 2014}}</ref> as part of a historic precinct. The great [[palladian revival|palladian]] [[St Patrick's Basilica, Oamaru|St Patrick's Basilica]] is also a fine example in white Oamaru stone.

The [[Victorian era|Victorian]] theme has been embraced by local shops and galleries in this part of Oamaru in terms of shop fittings and décor. Further enhancing the "olden days" feel of the precinct are several arts and crafts shops, a transportation museum, an antique furniture shop, and traditional businesses such as book shops, antique clothing shops, and a book binder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historicoamaru.co.nz/precinctattractions.html|title=Precinct Attractions|publisher=The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=20 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620063002/http://historicoamaru.co.nz/precinctattractions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of the buildings in this area close to the harbour used to serve as commercial warehouses and stores and now provide large spaces for galleries such as the Forrester Gallery, the Grainstore Gallery,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/dunedin-and-otago/oamaru/sights|title=Sights in Oamaru|publisher=Lonely Planet|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220212204/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/dunedin-and-otago/oamaru/sights|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Libratory]], and [[Steampunk HQ]].  Even the playgrounds in the harbour area continue the Victorian/industrial steam theme with a giant [[penny-farthing]] structure supporting the swings, and several [[steampunk]]-styled playground features.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oamarunz.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/playground/|title=Oamaru's New Friendly Bay Playground Officially Opened|date=11 October 2013|publisher=Victorian Oamaru, Pen-y-bryn Lodge, 11 October 2013|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=14 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314040714/https://oamarunz.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/playground/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:View of the Public Gardens at Oamaru, circa 1925. ATLIB 292320.png|thumb|Public Gardens at Oamaru circa 1925]]
In August 2016 Oamaru made it into the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] for the largest gathering of steampunks in the world: a term that was coined in the 1980s and is based on imagining inventions the Victorians might have created for the modern world.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/30/new-zealand-town-oamaru-steampunk-capital-of-the-world|title=How an ordinary New Zealand town became steampunk capital of the world|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=30 August 2016|archive-date=11 January 2022|access-date=31 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111055219/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/30/new-zealand-town-oamaru-steampunk-capital-of-the-world|url-status=live}}</ref>

The main retail, services and commercial areas line Thames Street, Severn Street and State Highway 1 running through the town, whereas the historic grand commercial buildings dominate the area around lower Thames, Tees, and Tyne Streets.

A colony of [[Little penguin|little blue penguins]] lives in a disused quarry on the harbour not far from the historic precinct. The penguins established themselves in the early 1990s, once the rock quarry had been closed in the 1970s, and in 1992 a group of volunteers started to help make the area suitable as a breeding habitat for the penguins and provide guided tours. Apart from the success of the penguin colony, their efforts were rewarded with the colony receiving the Otago Regional Council's Environmental Award in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.penguins.co.nz/new-zealand/history/|title=The history of the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony|publisher=Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=17 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717093124/http://www.penguins.co.nz/new-zealand/history/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the early 2000s, a visitors' centre and two grandstands were completed, and today the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony is Oamaru's largest tourist attraction, receiving over 75,000 visitors annually. It is owned by the Waitaki District Council and carefully managed by the Waitaki Development Board, including monitoring and comparing of behaviour and numbers with a similar penguin colony nearby which is not open to visitors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.penguins.co.nz/new-zealand/aboutus/|title=About the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony|publisher=Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=25 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225105845/http://www.penguins.co.nz/new-zealand/aboutus/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A steam train operated by the [[Oamaru Steam and Rail Restoration Society]] runs between a small railway station in the historic precinct and a terminus at the harbour close to the little blue penguin colony on Sundays and during school holidays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oamaru-steam.org.nz/running.php|title=Running Days – Oamaru Steam & Rail|publisher=Oamaru Steam and Rail|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=3 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903130718/http://oamaru-steam.org.nz/running.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

Further south just outside the town, a colony of [[yellow-eyed penguin]]s at Bushy Beach also attracts [[ecotourism|ecotourists]]. Penguins sometimes live under buildings close to the beach, including the town's music club, ''The Penguin Club''.

The North Otago Tree Planting Association, inaugurated by local Oamaru G.P. Dr. Eric Strawson Stubbs and North Otago farmer Mr. Syd Hurst in 1937, was a forerunner of the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association.

The historic Totara Estate is located 8&nbsp;km south of Oamaru.<ref name="heritage.org.nz">{{cite web |title=Totara Estate |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/otago-region/totara-estate |publisher=HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND |access-date=11 February 2021 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214012328/https://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/otago-region/totara-estate |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Heritage New Zealand]] restored and opened these buildings to the public on 15 February 1982, exactly 100 years after the [[Dunedin (ship)|''Dunedin'']]'s historic sailing, which began the New Zealand frozen meat industry. By 1902 frozen meat made up 20% of all New Zealand exports.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Totara Estate {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/totara-estate|access-date=25 April 2021|website=nzhistory.govt.nz|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425082513/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/totara-estate|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tourism Waitaki is the official tourism body for the whole of Waitaki District.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tourism Waitaki – Explore Oamaru & the Waitaki District|url=https://waitakinz.com/|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Waitaki, New Zealand|language=en-NZ|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425082505/https://waitakinz.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Media ==
The ''[[Oamaru Mail]]'' is a weekly newspaper published every Friday by Allied Press Ltd. It has a team of reporters, who also write for the ''[[Otago Daily Times]]'', based in Oamaru. It has served the people of the Waitaki region since 1876. ''[[The Oamaru Telegram]]'' is published every Tuesday and is produced, printed and published in Oamaru.

The town is within the coverage area of [[Radio Dunedin]] and within the circulation area of the ''[[Otago Daily Times]]'', based in Dunedin. Oamaru has its own [[community television]] station, "45 South Television", which transmits from Cape Wanbrow on UHF Digital channel 34, and an independent classic rock radio station ''Real Classic Rock'', which has studios based in Thames Street, and transmits from Cape Wanbrow. Oamaru also has a radio station called Oamaru FM 91.2 that also broadcasts from Cape Wanbrow.

From 1980 onwards, Oamaru was served by local [[Radio New Zealand]] station [[Radio Waitaki]], until it was rebranded as The Hits in 2014. [[Port FM]] in Timaru also formerly broadcast local station Whitestone FM, before it reverted to the Port FM network, later becoming a [[More FM]] station.

== Transport ==
Oamaru is on [[State Highway 1 (New Zealand)|State Highway 1]] (SH1), the main road route down the eastern coast of the South Island. There are regular coach and minibus services to [[Christchurch]], [[Dunedin]], and the [[Mackenzie Country]], leaving from Eden Street outside the Lagonda Tearooms, which provides booking facilities and other travel services.

Oamaru is the end point of the [[Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail]] from [[Aoraki / Mount Cook]], a cycle trail constructed following approval in 2010 by the [[New Zealand Cycle Trail]] project. The trail terminates at Friendly Bay, adjacent to Oamaru's Victorian Historic Precinct.

[[Oamaru Airport]] is {{convert|20|km}} north of the town at Pukeuri. After [[Air New Zealand Link]] ceased operations in 2010, scheduled flights between Oamaru and Christchurch resumed in 2014 with [[Mainland Air]]. However they were terminated after a few months.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/313359/mainland-flights-end |title=Mainland flights to end |author=David Bruce |date=22 August 2014 |access-date=1 June 2016 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |archive-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611084035/http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/313359/mainland-flights-end |url-status=live }}</ref>

The main south line of the [[South Island Main Trunk Railway]] leads through Oamaru.  A short side track connects Oamaru's historic precinct and a disused quarry at the harbour, with a tourist steam train running on Sundays. The 1900 railway station has been listed [[Heritage New Zealand#The Register|NZHPT Category II]] since 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/2295|title=Search the List – Oamaru Railway Station (Former) – Heritage New Zealand|website=www.heritage.org.nz|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224051505/https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/2295|url-status=live}}</ref> It is a [[George Troup (architect)#Standard Station designs|standard class B station]], of weatherboard and corrugated iron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/Register/Listing.aspx?c=21&r=12&l=45|title=Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand – Oamaru Station|website=www.railheritage.org.nz|access-date=27 September 2015|archive-date=27 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927115051/http://www.railheritage.org.nz/Register/Listing.aspx?c=21&r=12&l=45|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==
There are three secondary schools in Oamaru, each catering for students in years 9 to 13. [[Waitaki Boys' High School]] is a secondary school for boys located in the northern part of Oamaru,<ref>{{TKI|365|Waitaki Boys' High School}}</ref> with day and boarding facilities. It was founded in 1883,<ref name="125th anniversary">{{cite news |url=http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/oamaru/10421/125th-anniversary-be-039momentous039-occasion |title=125th anniversary to be 'momentous' occasion |date=21 June 2008 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |access-date=7 January 2012 |archive-date=24 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124234912/http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/oamaru/10421/125th-anniversary-be-039momentous039-occasion |url-status=live }}</ref> and has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|365|y}} students. [[Waitaki Girls' High School]] is a state high school for girls.<ref>{{TKI|366|Waitaki Girls' High School}}</ref> It was founded in 1887,<ref name="WGHS history">{{cite web|title=History of Waitaki Girls' High School|url=http://waitaki.wghs.schoolzone.net.nz/history.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524174854/http://waitaki.wghs.schoolzone.net.nz/history.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 May 2010|publisher=Waitaki Girls' High School|access-date=6 January 2012}}</ref> and has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|366|y}}. It also has a boarding hostel which houses approximately 50 girls, including international students and tutors.<ref name="WGHS hostel">{{cite web|title=Waitaki House Boarding Hostel|url=http://waitaki.wghs.schoolzone.net.nz/hostel.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524173826/http://waitaki.wghs.schoolzone.net.nz/hostel.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 May 2010|publisher=Waitaki Girls' High School|access-date=}}</ref> [[St Kevin's College, Oamaru]] is a coeducational state-integrated Catholic day and boarding high school<ref>{{TKI|369|St Kevin's College}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|369|y}}. The school was founded in 1927.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stkevins.school.nz/about/redcastle-history |title=Redcastle History |publisher=St Kevin's College |first=M J |last=Hanrahan |year=2019 |access-date=3 December 2021 |archive-date=3 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203030419/https://www.stkevins.school.nz/about/redcastle-history |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[St Joseph's School, Oamaru|St Joseph's School]] was established by the Dominican Sisters and the Christian Brothers. It is the only Catholic primary school in North Otago.<ref>{{cite web|title=Schools|url=http://www.cdd.org.nz/schools/schools|publisher=Catholic Diocese of Dunedin|access-date=6 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501204257/http://www.cdd.org.nz/schools/schools|archive-date=1 May 2012}}</ref> It has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3825|y}} and it caters for students up to year 8.<ref>{{TKI|3825|St Joseph's School}}</ref> There are no longer any Sisters or Brothers on the staff and the school is run and managed by lay people.

Oamaru Intermediate provides education for years 7 and 8.<ref>{{TKI|3784|Oamaru Intermediate}}</ref> It has a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3784|y}}.<!-- The school was founded in 1963 (no reliable source found; https://www.facebook.com/events/oamaru-waitaki/oamaru-intermediate-school-50th-jubilee/216462078485682/ was the best I could come up with.)-->
The other state primary schools in Oamaru, which cater for students up to year 6, are Fenwick School, with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3707|y}},<ref>{{TKI|3707|Fenwick School}}</ref> Pembroke School, with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3737|y}},<ref>{{TKI|3737|Pembroke School}}</ref> and Te Pākihi O Maru (previously called Oamaru North School), with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3785|y}}.<ref>{{TKI|3785|Te Pākihi O Maru}}</ref>

Schools in surrounding areas include Weston School, Ardgowan School, Totara School and Five Forks School.

Rolls are as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}

== Cultural references ==
[[Janet Frame]] fictionalised the Oamaru of her childhood as "Waimaru", her 'kingdom by the sea'. Some of [[Fiona Farrell]]'s literary works also feature Oamaru. [[Peter F. Hamilton]]'s novel ''[[The Dreaming Void]]'' (London: Macmillan, 2007; {{ISBN|978-1-4050-8880-0}}) refers to "the backwater External World of Oamaru" (page 22). The same author's science-fiction novel [[Great North Road (book)|''Great North Road'']] mentions a remote camp called Oamaru, set up in the unexplored remote continent of Brogal on the [[Sirius]]-system planet St Libra in the year 2143.<ref>
{{cite book
| last                  = Hamilton
| first                 = Peter F.
| author-link            = Peter F. Hamilton
| title                 = Great North Road
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=xxzYO4_yLksC
| access-date            = 8 June 2013
| year                  = 2012
| publisher             = Tor UK 
| isbn                  = 9781743298381 
| quote                 = Wukang was the first of the three projected forward camps, arranged almost like compass points, north-west, due north, and north-east from Sarvar, which was now being relegated to supply-base status. Varese, the camp due north, was already having its landing strip bulldozed; while Oamaru, away to the east, had just received its first successful Berlin landing yesterday. No more forward camps were scheduled — this was as far as the expedition was going to venture, as far as the budget would take them.
}}
</ref>

Parts of Oamaru's Victorian precinct were used for the set of the Netflix films ''[[The Royal Treatment (film)|The Royal Treatment]]''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Heyward|first=Ruby|date=27 March 2021|title=Transformation in Oamaru for filming|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/transformation-oamaru-filming|access-date=25 April 2021|website=[[Otago Daily Times]] |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[The Power of the Dog (film)|The Power of the Dog]].''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hollywood star Kirsten Dunst spotted filming Jane Campion movie in Oamaru|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/hollywood-star-kirsten-dunst-spotted-filming-jane-campion-movie-in-oamaru/SX2KIDNXLEIKNROOV2L5AXNEUQ/|access-date=25 April 2021|website=[[New Zealand Herald]]|language=en-NZ|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425082503/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/hollywood-star-kirsten-dunst-spotted-filming-jane-campion-movie-in-oamaru/SX2KIDNXLEIKNROOV2L5AXNEUQ/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in January 2025, the Netflix TV series ''East of Eden''.<ref>{{cite web |author= <!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.-->|date= 12 January 2025 |title= Netflix production of East of Eden, starring Florence Pugh, turns heads in Ōamaru and Dunedin |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/360545744/east-eden-filming-netflix-adaptation-full-swing-oamaru |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |accessdate= 16 January 2025}}</ref>

==Twin Town==
* [[Devizes]], England<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.devizes-twinning.org.uk/|title=Devizes and District Twinning Association|website=www.devizes-twinning.org.uk|access-date=14 August 2017|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729090844/http://www.devizes-twinning.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Waitaki District]]
* [[Waitaki District Council]]
*[[Thomas Forrester (architect)|Thomas Forrester]]
*[[Oamaru stone|Oamaru Stone]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite thesis |last= Breen |first= Helen Marjorie |title= Oamaru in the depression of the 1930s |publisher= University of Canterbury |type= MA |place= Christchurch, NZ |year= 1977 |url= https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10092/10683/breen_thesis.pdf |archive-date= 2 December 2021 |access-date= 12 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211202153154/https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10092/10683/breen_thesis.pdf |url-status= live }}
*{{cite book |last= Harbourne |first= David |title= Penguins Under the Porch: A Yorkshireman's Ode to Oamaru |location= Christchurch, NZ |publisher=Wily Publications |date= 2018 |isbn= 978-19-2716-736-6}}
*{{cite book |last= McDonald |first= Kenneth Cornwell |title= History of North Otago: For Centennial Period, 1840 to 1940 |location= Christchurch, NZ |publisher=Cadsonbury |date= 1998 |isbn= 187715122X}}
*{{cite book|last1= McLean |first1= Gavin |title= Kiwitown's Port: The Story of Oamaru Harbour |date= 2008 |publisher=Otago University Press |location= Dunedin, NZ |isbn= 978-18-7737-263-6}}
* {{cite book |last= Robert |first= W.H.S. |title= The History of Oamaru and North Otago, New Zealand: From 1853 to the end of 1889 |location= Oamaru, NZ |publisher=Andrew Fraser |date= 1890}}
*{{cite book |last1= Shaw |first1= Peter |last2= Hallett |first2= Peter |title= Whitestone Oamaru: A Victorian Architectural Heritage |location= Nelson, NZ |publisher=Craig Potton |date= 1995|type= Paperback |isbn= 0908802307}}
*{{cite book |last1= Sorrell |first1= Paul |last2= Warman |first2= Graham |title= Oamaru: New Zealand's Living Victorian Town |year=2014 |publisher=Penguin |location= Auckland, NZ |type= Paperback |isbn= 978-01-4356-968-8}}
*{{cite book |last1= McDonald |first1= K.C.|title= Oamaru 1878: A Colonial Town |date= 2006|publisher=Waitaki District Council (1878 Publication group) |location= Oamaru, NZ |isbn= 0-473-11095-4}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category|Oamaru}}
* [http://www.historicoamaru.co.nz/ Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust]
* [http://www.waitaki.govt.nz/ Waitaki District Council]
* [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/oamaru-harbour ''Oamaru Harbour'' from NZ History online, with Media Gallery]
* [http://waitakinz.com Tourism Waitaki]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090106004858/http://www.markstravelnotes.com/oceania/new_zealand/south_island/otago/oamaru/historic_buildings/ Information on Oamaru historical buildings]
* [https://members.racp.edu.au/page/library/college-roll/college-roll-detail&id=716 Dr. Eric Stubbs]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140201180707/http://www.ipenz.org.nz/heritage/itemdetail.cfm?itemid=2360 ''The Borough Race'' from IPENZ Engineering Heritage]

{{Waitaki District, New Zealand}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Oamaru| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Otago]]
[[Category:Port cities in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Birdwatching sites in New Zealand]]