Country House Hunters NZ Promotes Waitaki – Twice!
Published on 20 December 2022
Waitaki continues to prove it is a great place to live and work with Country House Hunters NZ filming two episodes in Ōamaru which will air on TVNZ in January 2023. The series will feature two couples who have moved to Ōamaru, leaving the hustle and bustle of urban cities behind.
Country House Hunters is a successful Australian television format which is being replicated in New Zealand for the first time. With twenty episodes produced, Ōamaru is the only town this season which will be featured in 2 episodes.
Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said “I’m not surprised it will take twice as many episodes as anyone else to show all the great things Ōamaru and Waitaki has to offer he says with a smile.”
Martin Horspool and Wendy Jones moved to Ōamaru from Auckland in 2022 where the duo has set up shop in Ōamaru’s heritage precinct where Martin sells his quirky “Buggyrobot” works. “It is certainly great to have been accepted by the community and my art seems to be a perfect fit for Harbour Street.” said Martin.
Wendy Jones agreed saying, “Everyone has been so generous and has come into the shop to check how we have settled in. I even got flagged down on the street by someone who wanted to welcome us and makes sure we were settling in okay. We love it here, it’s incredible.”
Anna Easton returned to her native Ōamaru in 2020 with South African born husband, Sean Easton. The couple purchased and run family business, Awamoa Sanitation and were selected by the production team to take part in the second episode. “We were so humbled to be a part of Country House Hunters NZ, what a show! It was such a blast filming with them, we didn’t stop laughing the entire time, plus we got to brag about our home Ōamaru and Waitaki, we hope you enjoy our episode!” said Anna Easton.
Episodes are due to air on TVNZ1 and TVNZ On Demand and opportunities are being looked at airing internationally.
Business Attraction & Recovery Manager, Melanie Jones said “Waitaki District Council is delighted to support Country House Hunters NZ. It is great to see new business owners being welcomed by our community, sharing their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm - and enjoying a new lifestyle”.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase our district, not just as a place to visit, but as a vibrant region with opportunities to live and work.” said Gary Kircher.
Country House Hunters NZ, 7pm TVNZ1
- Thursday 5 January 2023, TVNZ1, 7pm - Wendy Jones and Martin Horspool, Buggyrobot
- Tuesday 10 January 2023, TVNZ1, 7pm – Anna Easton and Sean Easton, Awamoa Sanitation