Global Geopark in sights
A new research project could add fresh impetus to a large area of the Waitaki District attaining Unesco Global Geopark status.
The Waitaki District Council (WDC) and Tourism Waitaki have been working towards the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s status since early 2018 and now a new project has begun exploring the community benefits of such a status.
‘‘I want a range of views and perspectives, I need to find the people who aren’t engaging or are engaging negatively with the geopark; hear from them, and start a conversation,’’ Dr Helen Fitt said.
‘‘While the research is conducted under an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding with WDC) it is carried out independently so people can feel free to be truthful. I want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.’’
Fitt is undertaking the study, entitled ‘‘Exploring integration opportunities for tourism operators through the creation of geotrails in the
Waitaki Whitestone aspiring Global Geopark’’, as part of the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark Trust’s partnership with Lincoln University’s Centre of Excellence: Sustainable Tourism for all Regions.
Fitt said ‘‘it’s all about building a regional coherence which ties together the various offerings’’.
The partnership was formed as part of the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark (WWG) Trust’s efforts to make Waitaki the first Unesco Global Geopark in Australasia, a label that would put them on the tourism map in a similar way to Mackenzie’s International Dark Sky Reserve.
Unesco created the Global Geopark label in 2015 and describe it as a ‘‘single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development’’.
The aspiring Waitaki Whitestone Geopark covers 7200 square kilometres and celebrates the ‘‘whitestone’’ which WDC say is part of Waitaki’s identity.
The Geopark is not purely about geological landmarks like the Omarama clay cliffs and the Moeraki boulders, but also the architecture, culture, heritage and activities connected to the land.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) supported their proposal in a submission to the Waitaki council’s Long Term Plan in April 2018, citing the significant contribution tourism makes to regional economic development through the jobs and income it creates.
According to the submission, ‘‘the visitor spend from both international and domestic visitors for Waitaki District Council was $174 million [year ending February 2018]’’ which would be boosted by Unesco recognition.
However, it also flagged more infrastructure was needed to support increased tourism including more visitor accommodation, car parking and public toilets.
Geopark and WWG trustees hope Fitt’s research could help identify where work is needed.
An updated application will be submitted in November this year, with a visit to the district from a Unesco representative expected in June 2020.