Oamaru

Town on South Island, New Zealand, situated on the east coast and on the main north–south highway, 125 km/78 mi from Dunedin, and 245 km/152 mi from Christchurch; population (1996)13,700. Local stone deposits are the source of flourishing lime industries producing both carbonate of lime and burnt lime. Other industries include flour- and sawmilling, a freezing works, and engineering and joinery works. In the surrounding area there is market gardening, cereals and grass seeds are produced, and sheep are raised. Oamaru's port is used mostly by a fishing fleet.

It was proclaimed a municipality in 1866 with a population of approximately 1,000.

Sheep reared in the district made up the first refrigerated meat cargo exported to England in 1882.