Waimate
Waimate is a town in Canterbury, New Zealand and the seat of Waimate District. It is situated just inland from the eastern coast of the South Island. The town is reached via a short detour west when travelling on State Highway One, the main North/South road. Waimate is 45.7 km south of Timaru, Canterbury's second city, 20 km north of the Waitaki River, which forms the border between Canterbury and the Otago province to the south and 47.5 km north of Oamaru, the main town of the Waitaki District.
Waimate | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Coordinates: 44°44′02″S 171°02′47″E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Island | South Island |
| District | Waimate District |
| Ward | Waimate Ward |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Waimate District Council |
| • Regional council | Environment Canterbury |
| • Mayor of Waimate | Craig Rowley |
| • Waitaki MP | Miles Anderson |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
| • Urban area | 8.01 km2 (3.09 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2023) | |
| • Urban area | 3,590 |
| • Density | 450/km2 (1,200/sq mi) |
| Postcode(s) | 7924 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Website | www |
Waimate is well known for its population of Bennett's wallabies. These marsupials were introduced from Australia and now live wild in the countryside surrounding the town. It is also recognised for the White Horse Monument which is a silhouette of a white horse that can be seen on the hills behind the town. It commemorates the Clydesdale horses that helped breaking in the land in earlier days. Visitors to the monument's lookout are rewarded with panoramic views of the town and the district's green plains out towards the Pacific Ocean.