Heartland - Waimate

Waimate is a traditional town. Nothing has really ruffled it in the past 140 years: it's just grown older. But recently there's been a feeling among some of the town fathers, a feeling that the world is passing Waimate by, and that Waimate needs to do something to raise its profile.

– Presenter Annie Whittle, at the start of this episode

The population of the town itself is an ageing population — there's a lot of retired people here, and that reflects in the church too. Thirty years ago there were 800 people came to mass here every Sunday. Now we're down to about 300. 

– Father Geoff Gray from Waimate's St Patrick's Basilica Catholic church

...I sort of found my way back about four years ago and I've changed my lifestyle by coming back here too, which has been really good. 

– Artist and musician Mouse, late in this documentary

All the decent ones have already got girlfriends.

– Young local Maria Bald discusses the eligible bachelors in Waimate

...I don't mind conservatism too much. I find that most people have actually got very good hearts and it's usually just maybe they haven't seen as much or been around as much, so they're not used to things so much.

– Artist and musician Mouse on the people of Waimate, late in this documentary