Kaikōura’s reputation is as a summer tourism hotspot but the town's mayor hopes people will rediscover it as a winter destination.
Visitor numbers to the northern Canterbury town have dropped as the cold season sets in and fuel price hikes begin to bite, but Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle says winter is the best time for stargazing and to see the wildlife, including whales passing Kaikōura’s coast.
‘‘I’m hoping this will be the year where we start to be seen as a winter destination,’’ he said.
Kaikōura has traditionally been seen as a summer destination, but in recent years there have been efforts to grow the winter attractions.
Astrotourism has been growing in the district, 20 months on from gaining international dark sky sanctuary status from Dark Sky International in September 2024.
