Omaio
Locality in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Omaio is a coastal township in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.
Omaio | |
|---|---|
Locality | |
Omaio Soldiers' Memorial Church | |
 Interactive map of Omaio | |
| Coordinates: 37.816°S 177.629°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Ōpōtiki District |
| Ward | Coast |
| Community | Coast Community |
| Electorates | East Coast Waiariki |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Ōpōtiki District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Ōpōtiki | David Moore[1] |
| • East Coast MP | Dana Kirkpatrick[2] |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 105.41 km2 (40.70 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 234 |
| • Density | 2.22/km2 (5.75/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 3199 |
| Area code | 07 |
During the 20th century, families collectively farmed the area for sheep and beef. More recently, they have been considering a shift to kiwifruit farming.[6] Funding was granted for a pilot kiwifruit farm in April 2017.[7]
During 2018 and 2019, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research tested climate-resilient crops in Omaio.[8] Due to the impact of climate change, Omaio has had fewer frosts, shorter winters, drier summers, more extreme weather, and greater pressure on its water supplies.[6]
In June 2019, Omaio hosted an historic signing of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement agreement between Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and the Crown.[9]
Demographics
Omaio and its surrounds cover 105.41 km2 (40.70 sq mi).[4] Omaio is part of the larger Cape Runaway statistical area.[10]
Omaio and its surrounds had a population of 234 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 63 people (36.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 51 people (27.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 120 males and 114 females in 81 dwellings.[12] 1.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 45.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 39 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 36 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 108 (46.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 51 (21.8%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 20.5% European (Pākehā), 89.7% Māori, 3.8% Pasifika, 1.3% Asian, and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Māori by 43.6%, and other languages by 1.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.3% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 7.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 25.6% Christian, and 46.2% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 26.9%, and 5.1% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (15.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 99 (50.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 63 (32.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $31,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 9 people (4.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 75 (38.5%) full-time, 21 (10.8%) part-time, and 18 (9.2%) unemployed.[5]
Marae
The settlement has three marae of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui.
- Ōmāio Marae and Rongomaihuatahi meeting house is a meeting place for the hapū of Te Whānau a Nuku.[13] In October 2020, the Government committed $1,646,820 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and five others, creating 10 jobs.[14]
- Ōtūwhare Marae and Te Poho o Rūtāia meeting house belongs to the hapū of Te Whānau a Rutaia.[15][13]
- Whitianga Marae and Tūtawake meeting house belongs to the hapū of Te Whānau a Tutawake.[15][13]
Education
Notable people
Rugby player Ruahei Demant lived in Omaio until the age of 12. She described the township as a "tiny place" in "the wops".[18]