History

Leading up to the 2004 Triennial Local Body Elections a political group called Tick Waitaki formed.
Several Candidates stood under this banner.
A general groundswell of unease continued after the Elections and early in 2006 a group of politically savvy residents formed the "Waitaki Ratepayers and Concerned Citizens Association". This continued to be active until the 2016 Elections when it disbanded having accomplished many of the targeted aims.

Recently the need was felt again for an independent group to watch Council affairs. On 5 April 2023 a meeting of 52 people established "The Waitaki Ratepayers & Residents Association".
Ray Henderson, a long-time Resident having connection with the 2 previous groups, was appointed by consensus as the Chairperson. Volunteers from those present then formed a Committee of 8.

Now to today:
recognising that there are many like-minded groups in the Waitaki District who interact with the Council, we've rebranded as the "Oamaru Ratepayers & Residents group".
This distinguishes us from other Bodies representing Kakanui, Duntroon, Omarama, Otematata, and Lake Ohau Village.
We continue to lobby the Waitaki District Council, taking our direction of approach from our Members.