'Quake tourism' is helping Kaikōura's visitor numbers bounce back after November 2016's devastating earthquake.
The seawall along a section of State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura. Photo: RNZ / Logan Church
Figures released by Stats NZ show guest arrivals plunged after the earthquake, from 22,632 December 2015, to 3437 in 2016.
Last December the number rose to 16,426.
General manager of Encounter Kaikōura Dennis Buurman said this summer many people made an effort to come to Kaikōura to help it get back on its feet.
Tourists came to see how the quake affected the coast, with good views on the trip north.
A whole wall of rock that had been lifted up was particularly awe-inspiring to see, he said.
Many visitors had told him the reason they were there was to support the area after last year's quake and to see for themselves the sea lift and the change in the landscape along the coastline.
The road opening into Kaikōura was crucial in getting tourists back.
"There was a dramatic increase compared to 2016, we were isolated and people couldn't get to us because of road closures, the difference is like night and day."
Comparatively this summer had been "tremendous".
Following the holiday period it had declined somewhat, but tours were still booked out.
Kaikōura was like a ghost town last summer and it was great to have people visiting again, Mr Buurman said.
