About Kaikoura 

District Councils Background on Kaikoura

The Kaikoura District spans from the Haumuri Bluffs in the south to the Kekerengu valley in the north, covering 2,048 square kilometres of diverse landscape. The inland boundary of our District is the Clarence River and Inland Kaikoura Range, climbing 2,885 metres and snow covered for much of the year. The spectacular coastline provides excellent fishing, sporting and recreation for Kaikoura’s residents and visitors. The Kaikoura Canyon, at around 1,300 metres deep, provides the natural habitat for the sperm whale, and is also host to over 200 species of marine life. 

The Kaikoura Township is situated on a peninsula protruding from this rugged coastline. Maori legend tells that it was from this peninsula that Maui fished up the North Island from out of the ocean. Maori history and culture is an integral part of Kaikoura, and there is evidence of Maori settlement in the area up to 1,000 years ago. The Tangata Whenua in the Kaikoura District are the Kati Kuri Hapu of the Ngai Tahu iwi.

Historically the District has thrived in the fishing, farming and dairy industries. Today Kaikoura is a world-class tourism destination, yet still maintains its fishing and farming heritage. The District boasts award-winning restaurants, café’s and accommodation facilities, a winery, and a modern small boat facility. 

The Kaikoura township is the District’s primary residential, commercial and industrial area, and the focal point of the tourism industry. Outside the township, the District is largely rural in focus, but is scattered in smaller settlements and mixed rural/residential activities. 

A Green Globe Certified Community 

In November 2004, Kaikoura was proud to become the first local authority in the world to achieve Green Globe 21 certification, but what is it? Green Globe is simply an international system that tourism businesses and communities can use to improve their impact on the environment and become more sustainable. Kaikoura’s environment is important to its community and attracts the large number of tourists here each year so we need to look after the environment, for the tourists, the community and for the next generation to enjoy. 

To become a Green Globe community, Kaikoura first needed to measure its environmental impact, called benchmarking, and second, improve this impact by implementing the Green Globe 21 community standard. 

To date Kaikoura has measured the communities impact against indicators such as energy use, greenhouse gas production, water conservation, water quality, air quality, waste production, biodiversity, resource conservation, travel and tourism businesses involved in environmental initiatives, truck accidents on State Highway 1, the social well being of the community and having an environmental policy.

Achieving Green Globe certification status is a testament to the efforts of the community in caring for its environment. Without the work of the clubs, societies and committed individuals in Kaikoura, the community could not have got this far and without their continued work Kaikoura would not be in the position of becoming the first community in the world to become Green Globe certified.