Over the years, Akaroa's industries have included timber milling, the export of cocksfoot grass seed, fishing, dairying and cheese making, sheep farming, and always tourism.
Akaroa has been known as the Riviera of Canterbury for many years, but was soon outstripped as the economic centre of Canterbury by first Lyttelton and then Christchurch. As a result, many of its historic features, (buildings, artefacts, bridges, wharves and reserves) have survived.
Today Akaroa exudes historic charm, and there are still families living here who are the descendants of the early French families who travlled half way around the world to set up a new life in the young land.