"Otematata" Otematata by fishandchips

The Maori name Otematata means `place of good flint.' In the 1800s, organised settlement of the land began and permanent settlers, with their families, moved into the valley. The town of Otematata was created in 1958 as a construction base for the Benmore and Aviemore dams. At its peak in the 1970’s there were approximately 4000 residents (1650 employed by the Dam project) with around 350 permanent residents today. ECNZ (Electricity Corporation of New Zealand) used it as a base until the early 1990's. At that time Otematata was a flourishing town, with shopping area, cinema, library, High School and a maternity hospital. The village had more than 60 clubs, representing nearly every social and sporting activity. Today many of the local houses have been turned into holiday homes as this is a popular spot with visitors in all seasons.

In the warmer months you can go swimming, kayaking, boating or water-skiing; in the cooler months head for the slopes of the nearby ski fields or try one of the nearby walks. Today, Otematata is a village of holiday homes.

It is a popular holiday village with a hotel, restaurant, camping ground and basic services. Most travellers going north from Queenstown have their stop at Omarama, 12km up the road, bypassing this nice spot.