Okoroire
Locality in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Okoroire (Māori: Ōkoroire) is a small settlement in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island,[6] centred around the Okoroire Hot Springs.[7] The place name means 'place of the koroire / toroire, an extinct species of ring-necked duck.[8]
Okoroire | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Okoroire | |
| Coordinates: 37.952°S 175.805°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato |
| District | South Waikato District |
| Ward | Tīrau Ward |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial Authority | South Waikato District Council |
| • Regional council | Waikato Regional Council |
| • Mayor of South Waikato | Gary Petley[1] |
| • Waikato MP | Tim van de Molen[2] |
| • Te Tai Hauāuru MP | Debbie Ngarewa-Packer[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 77.51 km2 (29.93 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 census)[5] | |
• Total | 384 |
| • Density | 4.95/km2 (12.8/sq mi) |
The hot springs consist of three naturally heated geothermal pools dug in 1880, which were extensively redeveloped in 2017 and 2018.[9] The pools are surrounded by bush and ferns.[10] During the late 19th century the pools were used by the sick for treatment and by Māori women to cleanse after giving birth.[11]
Local attractions include whitewater rafting, bird-watching and fishing. Local walks include the Three Kauri Track, the Wairere Falls walk and Te Waihou walkway.[7]
Okoroire Hotel, a historic country pub built in 1889 from ancient-timber, is located nearby near the banks of the Waihou River.[11] It has been owned by the same family for three generations.[7] The hotel was sold to a Chinese business in 2014.[12] It made staff cutbacks in 2018, and the next year was forced to sell by the Overseas Investment Office after promised redevelopment had not occurred . [13][14]
In 2016, members of the Chiefs rugby team were accused of exposing themselves to a stripper during an end-of-season event at the hot springs.[15]
Demographics
Okoroire locality covers 77.51 km2 (29.93 sq mi)[4] It is part of the larger Tīrau statistical area.[16]
Okoroire had a population of 384 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 12 people (3.2%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 96 people (33.3%) since the 2013 census. There were 192 males and 189 females in 141 dwellings.[18] 3.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 87 people (22.7%) aged under 15 years, 57 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 183 (47.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 63 (16.4%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 92.2% European (Pākehā); 16.4% Māori; 0.8% Asian; and 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA). English was spoken by 97.7%, Māori by 3.1%, and other languages by 4.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 13.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 25.0% Christian, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.8% New Age, and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 64.8%, and 8.6% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 45 (15.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 186 (62.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 75 (25.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 42 people (14.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 186 (62.6%) full-time, 45 (15.2%) part-time, and 3 (1.0%) unemployed.[5]
Education
Railway station
Okoroire was a flag station[24] near Rangipai School,[25] about 3 mi (4.8 km) west of the hotel,[26] on the Kinleith Branch, from 8 March 1886. It was 94 m (308 ft) above sea level.[27] In 1890 it had no shelter shed, or siding, but by 1896 the station had a shelter shed, platform, cart approach and urinals. By 1911 it also had a 30 ft (9.1 m) by 20 ft (6.1 m) goods shed, sheep yards and a passing loop for 19 wagons. A caretaker was appointed in 1913 and a longer platform and an addition to the shelter shed were made in 1917.[28] The station closed to passengers on 31 July 1962,[29] to all traffic except stock from 18 August 1968 and to stock on Monday 1 June 1970.[28] Only a single track and a plantation remains.[30]