Oamaru's Victorian Precinct

29/07/2025

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A fond farewell to Brenda and Katrina.

Katrina and Brenda where the 19th proprietors of the Criterion Hotel since it opened its doors in December 1877, the first being Mr William Gilliespie.

Each Landlord has added their unique stamp on the building, and these two will leave the biggest legacy in the Criterions modern history, overseeing an extensive renovation of the ground floor and installing a much needed modern commercial kitchen at the rear of the building.

On Wednesday we will welcome the 20th proprietor to the Criterion Hotel Suhil.
With time he will leave his own stamp on this tresurered Oamaru icon, so be sure to pop in and welcome him to the Street.

02/05/2025

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Yesterday was a red letter day for the Trust!

Richard and Clarky signed the documents that give permission to HNZPT to include the Civic Trusts buildings in the bid for Oamaru's Heritage Precinct and Port to be recognised as a National Historic Landmark.

For the Trust this is recognition for almost 40 years of work to help preserve what are now some of the most important buildings in the country.

One of the founding documents of the Trust, the Arthur Young report commissioned in the mid 1980s, laid out many recommendations on how to develop the area into a thriving hub or tourism and business at the same time preserveing our unique built Heritage....the foresight of the founding members of the Trust has been achieved, many times over, with out them we would not have many of the things that make Oamaru the amazing place it is today, to them we owe a debt of gratitude.

Waitaki Whitestone Unesco Global Geopark
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

25/04/2025

18/01/2025

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"It's Famous Because its Good", may have been a marketing slogan for Lanes Emulsion but it also applies to the Heritage Precinct.

For almost 40 years The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust has looked after a collection of buildings, on behalf of the people of Waitaki that now form one of the most important collections of heritage buildings in New Zealand.
Founded in the mid 1980s with 8 buildings, today the Civic Trust cares for 16 buildings in the Heritage Precinct, this of course comes with its challenges, the main one being the ongoing maintenance of these architecture gems.

If you would like to be a part of this you can join The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust as a member via our website www.victorianoamaru.co.nz or if you would like to help with the restoration of these buildings you can make a donation to our Legacy Fund that goes towards major restoration projects: 01-0964-00061019-01

📸 Waitaki Museum & Archive

13/01/2025

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An American flag flutters atop Oamaru’s Victorian Heritage Precinct and the town is enthralled. In case you have missed it, Oamaru is hosting...

10/01/2025

We had a visit today from the Minister of Tourism Hon Matt Doocey.

Was perfect timing with all the action in the Precinct to show off the jewel in the Oamaru crown the Heritage Precinct and talk about the exciting opportunities such as the National Historic Landmark with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the economic benefits that flow into the district because of our amazing built Heritage.

09/01/2025

It may not look it but it is business as normal in the Heritage Precinct.

The gravel roads are being laid and the street dressing is in full swing.....but all the wonderful shops and businesses are open, with the exception of the Criterion hotel which will be closed for the duration of the filming.

Make sure you go down and have a look, the area is open to the public and you can look around everything they are doing, but please be mindful this is an active work site and the set areas do not have public access, but can be viewed behind the cordon.

During the filming only the areas they are filming in will be closed, the rest of the Precinct will be open to the public.
We will post an updated schedule before Sunday so you can keep up to date and not miss any action.

26/12/2024

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A Christmas appreciation post...

Thank you to all the people that have helped and supported the Civic Trust this year, our membership is hugely important to us, with out our membership the trust would not be here.

Thankyou to our board that is made up of eight
volunteers, that give up their time and generously give their knowledge and services to help keep our amazing buildings standing for the people of Waitaki to enjoy.

And our Restoration office John who quite literally puts our buildings back together when bits drop off.

Happy Christmas to you all, and here's to a bigger 2025 for the Civic Trust.

13/12/2024

Enjoy an evening in the Heritage Precinct this Christmas,
Join us on the 23rd of December for a bit of Christmas cheer.

The North Otago Combined Schools Pipe band will be roving the Precinct playing Christmas carols, there will also be a choir singing all the favourites.

The shops on Harbour and Tyne will be open late for you to get those last minute gifts,

4pm to 6:30pm Mini Christmas Market in Cycle Journeys

6pm Carol Singing in Whitestone City

27/11/2024

Our tenants are getting excited about the Trust’s Xmas window display competition in Harbour & Tyne Street!

17/11/2024

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And that's a wrap on the 2024 Victorian Fete.

A big thank you to everyone who attended the Victorian fete! Your presence made the event a huge success, and we hope you enjoyed the festivities as much as we enjoyed putting them on, seeing the Heritage Precinct full of people enjoying one of the most unique streets in the world is what the Civic Trust is all about.

A special thankyou to Network Waitaki for sponsoring us, and to our tenants that go above and beyond to help put on an amazing event.

Keep an eye out as we have a few ideas in the works for Christmas 🎄