HAERE MAI - WELCOME TO WAIMAKARIRI, CANTERBURY'S HOLIDAY HEARTLAND
Waimakariri (North Canterbury) is a place where you will experience a truly New Zealand country lifestyle destination, and be welcomed by the people who will share their place with you.
Come to Waimakariri - discover the mountains, rivers and beaches, experience the lifestyle and recreational activities, hear stories of heritage and culture, meet the artists, crafts people and fine hospitality providers including cafes, restaurants, gardens and country accommodation.
Only 20 minutes north of Christchurch - Visit Waimakariri and stay for a while.
Things to Do
The Waimakariri district is home to a great variety of activities and attractions for the visitor and local resident. Get out here and take the opportunity to experience country lifestyle activities from gorgeous garden walks through to adrenalin pumping jetboating - with nearly everything in between!
Heritage and Culture
Experience Waimakariri's Maori and colonial past. Take a walk or drive down one of the heritage trails tracing the remnants of Waimakariri's past. Visit the site of the Kaiapoi Pa and absorb the solitude and cultural history.
In pre-European times there were several significant Ngai Tahu settlements in the area not the least being the centre of the iwi- the Pa of Tuarakautahi - known as Kaiapoi near Woodend. This is the major site for the remembrance of Maori occupation in the district.
The first farmers occupied land in Waimakariri in the 1850's but before that, vast sheep runs had been established by a few "first comers" to the region.
These were often the surveyors who had had the first look at the obviously fertile area.
Visit the districts local museums to views displays of the early pioneering spirit and the social history from the last century.
Activities
The geographical make-up of the land and the pleasant climate make the Waimakariri district an ideal area for outdoor activities. Explore the back country and mountains on horse back or by mountainbike. Ride through beautiful native bush and see stunning views of the Canterbury plains or spend a day on one of the many and varied walking tracks through the district. Experience the thrill of a jet boat ride through the Waimakariri gorge - one of the district's most popular tourist attractions. Take a garden or farm tour and experience the beauty of the Waimakariri.
