Oban, New Zealand

Oban is the principal settlement on Stewart Island, the southern most inhabited island of the New Zealand archipelago. Oban is centred on Halfmoon Bay (sometimes used as an alternative name for the town), and stretches over a peninsula to Paterson Inlet. It has aircraft connections with Invercargill and a ferry service to Bluff, both on the mainland South Island.

The settlement was named after Oban in Scotland<ref>Scottish Place Names Around the World – Fife to Oban (from 'rampantscotland.com'. Accessed 11 October 2008.)</ref> (An t-Òban in Scottish Gaelic, meaning The Little Bay), due to the strong influence Scottish settlers had in the south of early colonial New Zealand.

The island has received a moderate boost of commerce and some millions in government funding since tourism increased markedly after the opening of the Rakiura National Park.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10335449">Template:Cite web</ref>

It is possible to see kākā during the day and kiwi during the night in Oban.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Efforts have been made to eradicate many of the introduced predators of native birds in Oban, such as stoats and domestic cats, with bigger plans to target possums, three species of rat, and hedgehogs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Oban is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers Template:Convert,<ref name="Area">Template:Cite web</ref> and had an estimated population of Template:NZ population data 2018 as of Template:NZ population data 2018 with a population density of Template:Decimals people per km². It is part of the wider Stewart Island statistical area.<ref>Template:NZ census place summary 2018</ref>

Template:Historical populations Oban had a population of 300 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 27 people (9.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 9 people (3.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 165 households, comprising 156 males and 144 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female, with 33 people (11.0%) aged under 15 years, 51 (17.0%) aged 15 to 29, 144 (48.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 69 (23.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 92.0% European/Pākehā, 19.0% Māori, 1.0% Pasifika, 1.0% Asian, and 1.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 65.0% had no religion, 26.0% were Christian, 1.0% were Buddhist and 3.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 66 (24.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 45 (16.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 39 people (14.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 years old was that 150 (56.2%) people were employed full-time, 42 people (15.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.1%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">Template:NZ census 2018</ref>

Climate

The centre of Oban, 2020

The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as a mid-latitude oceanic (Cfb).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Temperatures are mild to cool year-round, with average high temperatures ranging from Template:Convert in January, the warmest month, to Template:Convert in July, the coolest month. The strong oceanic influence here results in small temperature variations. The diurnal temperature variation is quite low, around Template:Convert year-long, and seasonal temperature variation (the difference between the warmest and coldest months) is about Template:Convert. Precipitation averages Template:Cvt per year, and is evenly distributed far across the year (see climate chart). Year-round, Oban lies in the direct path of mid-latitude cyclones (low-pressure systems, or depressions) arriving from the Southern Ocean, generally moving from southwest to northeast, or west to east. As such, the climate is predominantly windy, cloudy and rainy; clear days and days with calm to minimal wind are rare.

Rakiura Museum

Rakiura Museum, 2023

The Rakiura Museum was first opened in 1960 in a converted house. It was reopened in December 2020 in a purpose-built $3 million building in December 2020. It contains artifacts and displays including the history of whaling and sealing around Stewart Island, boat building, Māori settlement and natural history of Stewart Island.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Halfmoon Bay School, 2023

Halfmoon Bay School / Te Kura o Rakiura caters for years 1 to 8<ref>Template:TKI</ref> with a roll of Template:NZ school roll data students as of Template:NZ school roll data The school was established in 1874.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Churches

Oban Presbyterian Church, 2023

Oban Presbyterian Church was built in 1904. Electric lighting was installed in 1957.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it is located on Kamahi Road and overlooks Halfmoon Bay. It has no resident minister, but has visiting preachers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

St Andrews Anglican Church is situated at 10 Excelsior Road. Prince Harry visited St Andrews in 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>