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Otakiri

Rural community in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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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.

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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]

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Demographics

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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]

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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]

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Education

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Otakiri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 0 to 8 students,[16][17] with a roll of 184 as of July 2025.[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:

Previously, there were five school houses:

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References

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