Oamaru is the type of town where you can pull up and park right outside the store you need. It's also the place where you might retire. ... Dubbed the steampunk capital of the world, the 'old part of town' - with its preserved limestone Victorian buildings and Steampunk connections - has put Oamaru on the world stage.

What is Oamaru known for?

Oamaru is the largest town in the Waitaki District; most famous for its penguin colony and limestone architecture of the Victorian Precinct – but that's just the beginning of what the town has to offer. ... The art of traditional crafts is alive and well and friendly locals are a core ingredient of what makes Oamaru great.

How many Tongans live in Oamaru?

Some say there are as many as 1000 people who identify as Tongan living in Oamaru today. The number of churches is growing, schools are introducing cultural programmes and sports teams are increasingly boosted by Tongan players. Tongan is the most common first language in Oamaru, after English.