Kaikoura i-SITE & Visitor Information Centre

30/07/2022

Today we closed our door for an indefinite period of time. We would like to thank everyone who has popped in this week to wish our team well. Think of this more of a see you soon than good bye. We will be opening these doors again when the time is right.

Huge thanks again for your support.

From the Kaikoura i-SITE team

22/07/2022

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the Kaikōura i-SITE is going into hibernation from the 31st July for an undecided period of time.

Please pop in to the i-SITE before then and visit the team who are ready to make your bookings for you. We have some retail items on clearance sale as well.

We would like to the thank our visitors both local and from afar as well as our local operators for their support over what has been a tough time for all. This is a chance for us to reset, refresh and return when the time is right.

The Kaikōura i-SITE team

22/07/2022

We are delighted to have the wonderful Phil Walsh visit the Kaikoura District Library on tour with his new Book, Conquering Cascade: An Epic Saga of Denniston Coal.

Where: Kaikoura District Library
Date: 30 July 2022
Time: 11am

Conquering Cascade chronicles the troubles and triumphs of the coal company and the 30-year alliance with its contracted workforce: the Cascade Westport Cooperative Coal Party; their association culminating in a powerful legal showdown.

Following a decade of research, interviews, and the sourcing of rare material, Phil Walsh has authoritatively documented a truly epic saga in New Zealand’s industrial coal mining heritage.

20/07/2022

Interesting patch of weather ahead, please take care if you are traveling along the Kaikoura coast over the next day or two.

10/07/2022

Please take care on the roads, there is a bit of weather forecast throughout the week ahead.

WEATHER WARNING

You will no doubt have heard that we are expecting some severe weather for the start of the school holidays.

A deep low is expected to bring heavy rain and severe gales to many parts of the country. In addition, rain is expected to fall as snow down to 400 metres in Canterbury.

SOME TIPS to keep you safe if you're planning a journey over the next couple of days:

• Allow extra time and stay up to date with both road updates and weather forecasts
• Ensure your vehicle is safe for winter driving (warranted, windwipers/lights working, spare tyre, chains if in snowy areas)
• Drive to the road and weather conditions
• Slow down and be prepared for unexpected hazards
• Allow greater following distance between you and the vehicle ahead
• Make sure your cell phone is well charged, check car charger also
• Have blankets, snacks, bottles of water ready in case of emergency or a breakdown

HELPFUL LINKS
Check the latest MetService Forecast and be prepared for unpredictable changes in road conditions. https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

Waka Kotahi NZTA journeys website is regularly updated. Taking a few minutes to check it before you head out can save you a lot of time and hassle.
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Hopefully better weather is on the way for the rest of the holidays!

03/07/2022

Today at 4pm Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura come and hear from Dr Marta Guerra about Kaikōura’s Mighty S***m Whales 😊

The Great Kaikōura Whale Count 2022
Department of Conservation
Photo of Tiaki by Al Hall, Kaikōura, June 2022

01/07/2022

Great line up of movies ahead 🎥📽

Mayfair Theatre

30th June - 6th July movie schedule 🍿
School Holidays are on the way folks! So we have all the school holiday movies just for you!
📍 80 Esplanade, Kaikōura
Online 🌐 https://www.themayfair.org.nz/
Or book over the phone 📞 03 424 9272

30/06/2022

This is the last weekend of the 2022 whale count, so if you have some time up your sleeve this weekend and would like to volunteer then please email [email protected].

Humpbacks are being sighted, with at least 4 spotted by the 2nd shift yesterday! Thank you to everyone who has helped out this year 🐋🐳

29/06/2022

As part of The Great Kaikōura Whale Count 2022 mid-winter talks, today we have Dr Cat Peters joining us from the Bay of Islands🐬.

At 4pm at Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura she will talk about Research and Management of Marine Mammals from her neck of the woods/pond/country 😊🐋

All welcome. Free entry.

24/06/2022

Another great talk happening at Encounter Kaikoura tomorrow 4pm :)

22/06/2022

Fantastic Matariki events happening at the Kaikoura Museum 🌟✨

Matariki at Kaikōura Museum
Aotearoa New Zealand’s first official Matariki public holiday is this Friday, June 24th, and we’ve got a few things happening over the coming weeks to acknowledge and celebrate this important time.

Matariki, a Reflection
11am - 12pm Friday, June 24th (Matariki day)
Te Awhina Arahanga, Museum Curator, will lead a discussion about Matariki, what it is, why it is important, and how it is traditionally celebrated. She will reflect on her own Matariki journey of discovery and how it sits within the wider world of te ao Maori and Matauranga Maori. This is a chance to learn, share and reflect on Matariki as an opportunity for us to come together and consider our place in the world.
This talk will be held in the Museum auditorium in the main gallery
Normal Museum entrance fees apply (members are free and Kaikōura residents ½ price)

Matariki Hunga Nui – Matariki of Many People
Daily 10am to 4pm
As we approach Matariki, we’re pleased to partner with Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision to present Matariki Hunga Nui – Matariki of Many People. This special video compilation pays tribute to Māori broadcasters of the past, and also provides an introduction to some of the rich lore around Matariki, our newest public holiday.
Matariki Hunga Nui is now showing in both te reo Māori and English in the Museum auditorium and will run until Friday July 15

Normal Museum entrance fees apply (members are free and Kaikōura residents ½ price)

Matariki Activities for Kids
Daily 10am to 4pm
We have a bunch of Matariki themed activities for the younger ones to enjoy during their visit to the Museum including colouring in, paper folding, word finds and more
Normal Museum entrance fees apply (members are free and Kaikōura residents ½ price)

21/06/2022

First of the mid-winter talks starts tomorrow 😀

20/06/2022

Mid-Winter Talks Series - presented by the Dept of Conservation in conjunction with The Great Kaikoura Whale Count which is taking place between 20th June - 3rd July 😀

Mark these dates on your calendar, what a great line up of topics and speakers 🐳🐬🦑🐟

Huge thanks to the team at Encounter Kaikoura for making space available for these talks 👍

13/06/2022

A week to go until the official start of this years Great Kaikoura Whale Count.

The team at The Great Kaikōura Whale Count 2022 have put together this list of FAQ's to help those who wish to volunteer. Any questions or to register your interest please email [email protected]

Huge thank you in advance 🐋

12/06/2022

It's not too late to register for the Matariki Dawn Ceremony & Breakfast from 6am this Thursday morning at the Māngāmaunu Marae.

Dawn karakia led by Maramataka expert, academic and teacher Rikki Solomon. Telescope will be available for viewing along with a hot breakfast provided free to all attendees.
Register now:

Māngāmaunu Marae 16 June 2022; 6am. Dawn viewing with Rikki Solomon, breakfast, telescope FREE EVENT

02/06/2022

MATARIKI DAWN VIEWING & BREAKFAST
Free Event - All Welcome
Māngāmaunu Marae 16 June 2022; 6.00am - 8.30am.

All are invited to a very special opportunity to listen to the korero and knowledge of Rikki Solomon as we herald the start of Māori New Year in Pipiri at dawn, and the rise of Matariki.

Hāpuku school will provide a free hot breakfast. Our own Brian Horsfall, astronomer and member of the Kaikōura Dark Skies Trust will provide a telescope for close up viewings of the dark morning sky.

There is limited parking, so we will shuttle to and from Hāpuku School to Māngāmaunu Marae from 5am. Please register so we can cater and provide transport.

Māngāmaunu Marae 16 June 2022; 6am. Dawn viewing with Rikki Solomon, breakfast, telescope FREE EVENT

24/05/2022

Please take note of our new winter operating hours as of Sunday 29th May 2022. Thank you for your continued support.

23/05/2022

How's this for a work view?

We love where we live.