Waikawa’s lifestyle suits fisherman
Nestled in Southland are tiny communities. They’re not large but have existed for a long-time. Reporter Jamie Searle discovers the community connections of Waikawa.
Apositive to come out of schools closing or merging in the Catlins was it brought people closer together, Vaughan Stronach says.
Tokanui School is the only one left and has brought children and parents from all over the district in contact with each other for a common cause. Lasting friendships have formed from frequent meetings for school activities over the years.
‘‘It’s been a way for people to get to know each other,’’ Stronach, of Waikawa, said.
Tokanui School, with a role of 94 Year 1-8 pupils, became the remaining school when Waimahaka Primary School closed in 2013. Other schools in the Catlins to close or merge with others in the past 50 years include Fortrose, Otara, Haldane, Quarry Hills, Niagara and Waikawa.
Stronach’s wife, Raewyn, is a teacher aide at Tokanui School.
He and his brother Wayne are the third generation in their family to fish commercially out of Waikawa. They usually go out 22 kilometres to fish for groper and blue cod between Waipapa and Long Point. In earlier years they also used to catch crayfish.
‘‘We do day trips, usually up to 12 hours, weather permitting,’’ Stronach said.
They return to Waikawa early if by 1pm the catch for the day is looking low.
The Stronach brothers and Craig Leith are the only commercial fishermen at Waikawa. However, Vaughan Stronach is presently resting up after rupturing an achilles in a ladder mishap at home.
‘‘When I was a kid there were 10 to 12 boats [based at Waikawa],’’ Stronach said.
The former volunteer fireman likes the peacefulness Waikawa offers about 20 fulltime residents, who also include two painting contractors, a stock agent, retirees and two farmers. Some holiday homes are also in the settlement.
One set of farmers is Stronach’s sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Ian Woodrow. ‘‘There’s a lot of community spirit here . . . it’s a small place and everyone knows each other,’’ Stronach said.
Birthday parties in Waikawa was a way residents had catch ups.
The help-each other culture in Waikawa, and in other parts of the Catlins, sometimes saved people from driving to Invercargill for one off things, such as a spare part, Stronach said.
‘‘If you needed something, you could call in on someone to see if they had it.’’
Stronach’s sheetmetal engineering skills come in handy for home and boat maintenance and if anyone needed something made or repaired.
Help increases in the settlement if someone is ill.
‘‘If there’s a crisis or emergency, it’s amazing the care and support from the Catlin’s community. Everyone’s there willing to help,’’ Stronach said.
On his wish list is for Waikawa to have cellphone coverage. Travelling from Invercargill, coverage is available to Tokanui but next the 24.5 kilometres to Waikawa is poor or non existent. ‘‘I think it will eventually come . . . because of the [increasing number of ] tourists we’re getting.’’
A high number of tourists travel through the Catlins which is part of the Southern Scenic Route.
The busy period is from October to April, Stronach said.
‘‘I’ve never met a bad tourist yet.’’
Occasionally, he has given petrol to tourists who have run out.
Stronach meets tourists on the Waikawa Wharf and on a few occasions they have helped him unload his catch.
He said attractions in the area included the many bush walks between Waikawa and Owaka and the Waikawa Museum. The Blue Cod Blues Takeaway business operates out of a caravan on the main road through the spring and summer.
The Waikawa Hall is used for various activities, with one of the main events in it being the annual Southern District Arts Trust’s Edge of the World Art Exhibition.