New Zealand needs to urgently increase its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if it is to meet its obligations under the Paris climate accords.
A new strategy to entice visitors to the Waitaki district is being developed.
Waitaki destination management strategy project manager and facilitator Mel Jones said the government funded several regional tourism organisations in New Zealand to put together a destination strategy and plan, and Waitaki was beginning with a strategy, which would lead to a plan at a later date.
Two groups – a governance and a working group – formed to paint a clear picture of what was needed.
About 15 people were in the governance group, chaired by Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, and were all involved in key agencies throughout the district, including tourism operators, members of the business community, iwi members and the Department of Conservation.
Happy 2021, everyone!
Although it is almost a month into the new year, I think it’s still not too late to wish you all a good year!
It started with a splash, when the heavens opened on January 2 and we had widespread flooding across the district.
It interrupted the holiday break for a lot of people, and I want to express my thanks to our Waitaki District Council staff and contractors who were back at their desks or out and about dealing with the challenges and damage from the floods.
There’s still some way to go, but a lot of the repair work has been carried out, thanks to the good work of those people.
Christchurch is our most exciting city: you just need to know where to look.
If you’re looking for a warm welcome on your domestic travels, it seems you best head to Canterbury – the only New Zealand destination to feature in a new ranking of the most welcoming regions in the world. Canterbury came in at number five on Booking.com’s list of the ten “most welcoming regions on Earth” based on more than 130 million guest reviews of properties listed on the site.
Brook Sabin/Stuff
Stuff travel journalist Brook Sabin enjoying the hospitality at Hot Tubs Omarama. Listed regions had the highest share of winners in the accommodation giant’s 2021 Traveller Review Awards, which recognise properties with the highest average guest scores between August 1, 2018 and November 30, 2020.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
As glad as we all were to see 2020 finally end, the first couple of weeks of 2021 have not been much better. Kayla Hodge sits down with Mayor
Gary Kircher to find out what is in store for the Waitaki district this year.
It was a start to the new year nobody saw coming.
Rain caused havoc as the district flooded, roads washed away and campgrounds were evacuated. Contractors and the NZ Transport Agency have since repaired the roads, including Parsons Creek Bridge near Otematata, and Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher praised their ability to work quickly with limited staff.