Otakiri


Otakiri is a rural community just outside Edgecumbe, in the Whakatāne District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of loosening or freeing from tapu" for Ōtākiri.
A dairy factory was established in the area in 1912.
The settlement was known as Tarawera until 1928.
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. Permission was granted in June 2018. Green Party cabinet minister Eugenie Sage's involvement in the decision led to a revolt within the party.
A local crowd-funded environment group appealed the decision in 2019, with support from local iwi Ngāti Awa.

Demographics

Otakiri covers. It is partly in the Matatā-Otakiri and partly in the Onepu Spring statistical areas.
Otakiri had a population of 1,257 in the 2023 New Zealand census, unchanged since the 2018 census, and an increase of 168 people since the 2013 census. There were 630 males, 624 females, and 6 people of other genders in 432 dwellings. 1.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 252 people aged under 15 years, 177 aged 15 to 29, 618 aged 30 to 64, and 222 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 69.2% European ; 41.5% Māori; 2.4% Pasifika; 5.3% Asian; 1.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; 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%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.
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.
Of those at least 15 years old, 138 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 615 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 261 people exclusively held high school qualifications. 132 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 516 full-time, 162 part-time, and 51 unemployed.

Education

Otakiri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 0 to 8 students, with a roll of as of
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. The school's motto is "Learners Forever, Leading the Future".
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.
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.
Currently, there are four school houses:
Previously, there were five school houses: