Sir Edmund Hillary – Kiwi Hero (1919-2008)

"June and I were delighted to visit Otorohanga and experience the real Kiwiana. We are most impressed with its website which celebrates our Kiwi icons, heroes and traditions. We look forward to another visit soon."
- Sir Edmund Hillary in 2002

Lady June Hillary

"I remember when Kiwiana was launched and Ed and I rode on a truck that looked like a mountain down the main street; so much excitement.... and Otorohanga has kept up the image of our New Zealand with the [Ed Hillary] Walkway and its history. A day for me to remember and a town to visit."
- Lady June Hillary

Sir Colin Meads – Rugby Legend

"Project Kiwiana is an aggressive, progressive organisation helping Otorohanga to grow, reviving a small town and keeping our past alive."
- Sir Colin Meads

Tim Shadbolt – New Zealand Icon

"Congratulations Otorohanga for your innovative Kiwiana project. Towns and cities all over NZ are continually searching for a way of promoting their uniqueness. It is easy for towns like Queenstown with its skifields or Rotorua with its geysers and in large cities such as Wellington they can simply hire an international advertising company, but the rest of us have to survive on our wits. Project Kiwiana celebrates everything New Zealanders can feel proud of. From Aunt Daisy to Sir Edmund Hillary, from the humble bumble bee to boot polish. Recently in Invercargill a Cafe called Kiwi Legends has opened that displays Kiwi icons and Heritage. Perhaps you have started a trend that you will always be the heart of. Good on ya."
- Tim Shadbolt. Mayor, Invercargill

Jo Seagar – Cooking Celebrity

"So good to see a town dedicated to Kiwiana - I felt very proud to be part of the parade launching the project and have a nice feeling of ownership and belonging to Otorohanga - great second hand shops too!"
- Jo Seagar

Garry McCormick – Icon

"Otorohanga's Kiwiana Festival is a prime example of a small town employing large event thinking. The local people have latched on to the sound idea that New Zealanders want to celebrate being Kiwis and are turning the town into a showcase for the fun, the funky and the distinctively ours. As an idea for marketing the community to the rest of the world, it is brilliant! Everyone can be involved by simply being themselves! The artwork and displays of Kiwiana take care of the rest."
- Garry McCormick

Kevin Roberts – CEO Saatchi & Saatchi

"New Zealand is suffering from a lack of belief; a lack of belief in our past, our future, ourselves. We are surrounded by pessimism and negativity. Here is an idea which is all about celebration, joy and optimism; an idea that shows why living on 'The Edge' is the greatest thing on earth. I wish Project Kiwiana all the success in the world."
- Kevin Roberts

Richard Wolfe – Kiwiana Author

"Otorohanga is to be congratulated for celebrating kiwiana - those colourful customs and institutions that reveal much about New Zealanders, where they have been and, perhaps, where they go from here."
- Richard Wolfe (Co Author "New Zealand! New Zealand!
In Praise of Kiwiana" & "Kiwiana- the Sequel")