Otakiri
Rural community in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Otakiri (Māori: Ōtākiri) is a rural community just outside Edgecumbe, in the Whakatāne District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.
Otakiri | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
 Interactive map of Otakiri | |
| Coordinates: 37.985°S 176.765°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Whakatāne District |
| Ward | Rangitāiki General Ward |
| Community | Rangitāiki Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Whakatāne District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Whakatāne | Nándor Tánczos[1] |
| • East Coast MP | Dana Kirkpatrick[2] |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 51.55 km2 (19.90 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 1,257 |
| • Density | 24.38/km2 (63.15/sq mi) |
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of loosening or freeing from tapu" for Ōtākiri.[6]
A dairy factory was established in the area in 1912.[7]
The settlement was known as Tarawera until 1928.[7]
In 2017, the Chinese company which owned rights to water from the Otakiri Springs sought planning and regulatory permission to expand its water bottling operation.[8] Permission was granted in June 2018.[9] Green Party cabinet minister Eugenie Sage's involvement in the decision led to a revolt within the party.[10]
A local crowd-funded environment group appealed the decision in 2019,[11] with support from local iwi Ngāti Awa.[12]
Demographics
Otakiri covers 51.55 km2 (19.90 sq mi).[4] It is partly in the Matatā-Otakiri and partly in the Onepu Spring statistical areas.[13]
Otakiri had a population of 1,257 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and an increase of 168 people (15.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 630 males, 624 females, and 6 people of other genders in 432 dwellings.[15] 1.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 252 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 177 (14.1%) aged 15 to 29, 618 (49.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 222 (17.7%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 69.2% European (Pākehā); 41.5% Māori; 2.4% Pasifika; 5.3% Asian; 1.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.6%, Māori by 11.9%, and other languages by 4.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.2% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 12.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 25.3% Christian, 5.5% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% Buddhist, 1.0% New Age, and 2.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 59.2%, and 7.4% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 138 (13.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 615 (61.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 261 (26.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 132 people (13.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 516 (51.3%) full-time, 162 (16.1%) part-time, and 51 (5.1%) unemployed.[5]
Education
Otakiri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 0 to 8 students,[16][17] with a roll of 159 as of July 2026.[18][19]
The Otakiri School logo consists of Maori patterns and designs, and shows a pūkeko in front of a triangle, representing the nearby mountain of Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe). The school's motto is "Learners Forever, Leading the Future".[16]
The school was founded in 1920. It now consists of a field, sports turf, computer suite, library, hard court and several playgrounds, and uses the neighbouring Otakiri District Hall for assemblies, fundraising and school events.[17]
The school hosts a Country Fair and a Calf-Club Day every spring and regular sports competitions. It alternates each year between a talent show and a school show.[16]
Currently, there are four school houses:
- Walker (Yellow) - Named after BMX rider Sarah Walker
- Jackson (Green) - Named after New Zealand director Peter Jackson
- McCaw (Black) - Named after the All Black captain Richie McCaw
- Blake (Red) - Named after yachtsman Sir Peter Blake[16]
Previously, there were five school houses:
- Te Kanawa/T.K. (Purple) - Named after New Zealand opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
- Kendall (Black) - Named after Barbara Kendall, a former New Zealand boardsailor
- Mahy (Orange) - Named after New Zealand author, Margaret Mahy
- Hillary (Green) - Named after Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer
- Blake (Red) - Named after yachtsman Sir Peter Blake[16]