Otamarakau
New Zealand beach and community
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Otamarakau (Māori: Ōtamarākau) is a beach and community in the Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island, just south of Pukehina.
Otamarakau | |
|---|---|
A modern wharekai overlooks the traditional wharenui at the Ōtamarākau marae. | |
 Interactive map of Otamarakau | |
| Coordinates: 37.835°S 176.608°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty |
| Ward | Maketu-Te Puke Ward |
| Established | pre-European |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Western Bay of Plenty District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Western Bay of Plenty | James Denyer[1] |
| • East Coast MP | Dana Kirkpatrick[2] |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi[3] |
| Area | |
• Total | 19.64 km2 (7.58 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Population (2023 Census)[5] | |
• Total | 159 |
| • Density | 8.10/km2 (21.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 3186 |
| Area code | 07 |
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of young warriors" for Ōtamarākau.[6]
In 2018, stormwater laden with sediment flowed over the Otamarakau wetlands from two ponds constructed without sufficient planning approval. In January 2020, kiwifruit company Bay Gold was fined over the incident.[7]
A speed camera was installed on the highway through Otamarakau in 2018,[8] leading to $30,000 of fines in its first month of operation.[9]
Marae
Ōtamarākau Marae and its Waitahanui a Hei meeting house are a traditional meeting place for the people of Ngāti Mākino.[10][11] The modern waterfront wharekai designed by Aladina Harunani has accommodation and a full commercial kitchen. They host corporate meetings, Annual General Meetings, Special General Meetings, Wananga, family reunions, noho marae, weddings, birthdays, camps, schools and more for local, national and international visitors.[12]
Demographics
Otamarakau covers 19.64 km2 (7.58 sq mi).[4] It is part of the larger Pongakawa statistical area.[13]
Otamarakau had a population of 159 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 3 people (1.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 12 people (8.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 87 males and 75 females in 48 dwellings.[15] 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 37.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 42 people (26.4%) aged under 15 years, 15 (9.4%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (50.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (13.2%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 79.2% European (Pākehā), 34.0% Māori, 3.8% Pasifika, 5.7% Asian, and 3.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, Māori by 7.5%, and other languages by 3.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 7.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 30.2% Christian, 5.7% Māori religious beliefs, and 3.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 56.6%, and 3.8% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (17.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 69 (59.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (20.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $49,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 21 people (17.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 72 (61.5%) full-time and 12 (10.3%) part-time.[5]