Ōtewā

Ōtewā covers 174.66 km² (67.44 sq mi).^[4] It is part of the larger Maihiihi statistical area.^[7]

Ōtewā had a population of 294 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 9 people (3.2%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 15 people (−4.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 156 males and 135 females in 105 dwellings.^[8] There were 75 people (25.5%) aged under 15 years, 45 (15.3%) aged 15 to 29, 123 (41.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 48 (16.3%) aged 65 or older.^[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.7% European (Pākehā), 25.5% Māori, 3.1% Asian, and 8.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.9%, Māori by 3.1%, and other languages by 3.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.0% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 9.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[5]

Religious affiliations were 25.5% Christian, 1.0% Hindu, 1.0% Māori religious beliefs, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 58.2%, and 12.2% of people did not answer the census question.^[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (6.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 138 (63.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 57 (26.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. 18 people (8.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 129 (58.9%) full-time, 27 (12.3%) part-time, and 3 (1.4%) unemployed.^[5]

The local Ōtewā Pā is a marae of the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Ngāti Matakore, Ngutu, Parewaeono, Rereahu, Te Kanawa and Urunumia.^[9] It includes Ko Te Hokingamai ki te Nehenehenui wharenui.^[10]

Ōtewā School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.^[11] It is a decile 8 school with a roll of 67 as of October 2025.^[12][13] The school opened in 1916.^[14]

• Kepa Hamuera Anaha Ehau (1885 – 1970): tribal leader, law clerk, interpreter, soldier, historian, orator^[15]