In 1971 the Otorohanga Kiwi House opened – the first Kiwi House in NZ to display and breed kiwi. Otorohanga became known as the ‘Kiwi town’, with the by-line ‘Make the Kiwi Connection’. In 1999 a talented marketing consultant and designer, David Walmsley (‘DesignDesign/Rotorua’) suggested extending Otorohanga’s Kiwi Town theme to celebrate all things uniquely ‘Kiwi’ – New Zealand’s icons, heroes and traditions (in other words: ‘Kiwiana’) ... and Otorohanga became the ‘Kiwiana Town’.

Project Kiwiana was formed in September, 1999 under David’s creative guidance. He has inspired, helped and advised us ever since in creating Otorohanga’s Kiwiana-themed projects.

Project Kiwiana’s aims are:

• To create Kiwiana attractions that make Otorohanga a ‘must see’ destination for visitors
• To promote Otorohanga as New Zealand’s official ‘Kiwiana Town'
• To have fun!

Our Achievements:

Kiwiana Displays
Twenty-four display cases in town showcase a wide variety of Kiwiana themes including Buzzy Bee, the All Blacks, Team NZ, Sir Edmund Hillary, Rural Life, the Sheep Story, Pavlova, Colin Meads...

Ed Hillary Walkway
Opened on 12 December, 2008 by Lady June Hillary, the Walkway connects Maniapoto Street (the main street on State Highway 3) with Wahanui Crescent. It houses 14 Kiwiana display cases, informative Kiwiana poster panels and a series of giant Kiwiana photo Murals.

Events

• International Sun Alliance Vintage Car Rally (February 2000) - 6 days of Kiwiana themed community events for visiting Rally drivers
• Touchdown TV feature (April 2002) – with Touchdown TV celebrity guest, Marc Ellis
• Team NZ Parade & Gala Dinner (5 September, 2002) – a celebration of the ‘Rural Connection to Team NZ
• Otorohanga officially recognised as ‘New Zealand’s Kiwiana Town’ by Prime Minister, Helen Clark (5 September, 2002)
• New Zealand’s first Great Kiwiana Festival (March 2005)
• New Zealand’s Second Great Kiwiana Festival (March 2006)
• New Zealand’s Third Great Kiwiana Festival (March 2007)
• A series of Kiwiana-themed community ‘mini events’ over the years.

Website Project
Kiwiana website: www.kiwianatown.co.nz (launched October 2001)

Main Street Kiwiana Icons
14 popular Kiwiana icon ‘cut outs’ hang on the lamp posts along the main street.

Murals & Sculptures

• 4 large murals celebrate Kiwiana themes
• Two highly decorated 3-metre high corrugated-iron kiwi identify the north and south entrances to Otorohanga
• Colourful steel butterflies on a wall in the main street acknowledge our Project Kiwiana sponsors
• Large entrance signs to the town inform visitors about the Main Street Kiwiana displays.

Information / Merchandise / Kiwiana props

• A ‘Kiwiana’ School Visit
• Kiwiana Brochures – click here to download a copy
• Custom-made Kiwiana mugs and stickers
• Kiwiana Postage Stamps in collaboration with the Otorohanga i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
• Kiwiana props and costumes to enhance Kiwiana-style events.

Project Kiwiana collaboration & partnerships

• Otorohanga Public Toilets – Kiwiana themed exterior and interior refurbishment (in collaboration with the Otorohanga Community Board)
• Kiwiana-themed redesign of interior and exterior of Otorohanga i-SITE (in partnership with the Otorohanga District Development Board & Otorohanga i-SITE)
• Design & funding of Ed Hillary Walkway (in partnership with the Otorohanga Community Board & Otorohanga District Council)
• Kiwiana-themed school tours (in partnership with the Otorohanga i-SITE, Waitomo Educational Services and Harvest Rock Youth Centre)
• Placement of ten Kiwiana displays in main street retail windows (in partnership with the Otorohanga Business Association)
• Kiwiana promotions committee (in partnership with the Otorohanga District Development Board).

Project Kiwiana Committee

(Project Kiwiana receives income from sponsorships, community rates, grants funding and fundraising events. We maintain close links with the Otorohanga Community Board & Otorohanga District Council, the Otorohanga District Development Board, local schools, businesses and community organisations. We’re always there to lend a hand in any local events and activities with a Kiwiana ‘slant’).