Kaikoura to bounce back

THE earthquake of mid-Nov last year that hammered Kaikoura on New Zealand’s South Island, while devastating, is set to benefit the cruise and tourism industry.

According to Lynette Buurman, business manager of local supplier Encounter Kaikoura which operates marine life sightseeing tours, there is a “silver lining” to mother nature’s fury which saw the seafloor in the region rise as much as six metres.

Speaking at TRENZ last week in Auckland, Buurman said future opportunities for Kaikoura are “exciting”, despite the sightseeing cruise company having to refund hundreds of online advanced bookings this season after the town’s main access road was cut.

“Massive changes in the shoreline left exposed rocks and reefs which are now a permanent feature of the seascape,” she said.

Buurman said the earthquake, which stuck at 12:02am on 14 Nov, had created an improved harbour facility for Kaikoura.

“We will be able to cater for and accommodate cruise ships more readily. The rocks that were a barrier for the larger tenders coming to Kaikoura have been removed as part of the deepening of the main channel and this is very exciting,” Buurman said enthusiastically.

A new surfing beach had also been created on the harbour foreshore since the 7.8 magnitude quake struck, bringing new visitors to the area.

She said highway infrastructure improvements, on track for reopening in Nov, would make the coastal town more accessible.

The region is looking forward to the reopening of the Alpine Pacific Touring route - relaunched at TRENZ on Fri - which runs from Christchurch Airport, through wine regions and rural areas of north Canterbury, onto Kaikoura and across to Hanmer Springs.

“In the next six months the roads will be open again and we’ll reset for the next season,” Buurman added.

Another benefit to the region is new earthquake sightseeing tours by some suppliers, with tourists keen to learn about the extent of damage that occurred.