Ōkiwi facts for kids

Ōkiwi is a small, quiet community located on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf. It sits at the very end of the Whangapoua Estuary, which is part of Whangapoua Bay. It's a peaceful spot surrounded by nature.

What You'll Find in Ōkiwi

Ōkiwi has some important places for its residents and visitors.

Community Hubs

One key place is the Okiwi School. It's a primary school, meaning it teaches younger children. It's also one of only three schools on the entire island. Right next to the school is Okiwi Park. This park is a great place to relax. It has a public toilet and a barbeque area, perfect for picnics. You can also enjoy a cycling trail and a small stream. The park is special because it has very old tōtara and pūriri trees. These big trees were saved by farmers long ago. New forest is also growing there. The community also has a church building for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Department of Conservation Base

The Department of Conservation, often called DOC, has its main base for Great Barrier Island in Ōkiwi. This office helps protect the island's nature and wildlife. It opened in Ōkiwi in 2016. Before that, their office was in Port Fitzroy. However, a cyclone in 2014 damaged the Port Fitzroy office. It also cut off the area from the rest of the island for six weeks. Because of this, DOC decided to move their main base to Ōkiwi.

The Ōkiwi Basin and Farming

The area around Ōkiwi is known as the Okiwi Basin. This basin is like a large bowl of farmland. You can see this fertile area from Palmer's Track. Palmer's Track is a walking path that goes from Windy Canyon to Mount Hobson. The rich soil in the Okiwi Basin is great for growing things. Farmers here often use organic methods and grow on a smaller scale. For example, there's a place called Okiwi Passion. It's a market garden and shop that sells fresh produce.

Places Near Ōkiwi

Just east of the main settlement of Ōkiwi, you'll find a few other important spots. There's the Okiwi Airfield, which is a small airport. You can also find Whangapoua Beach nearby, which is a lovely place to visit. There's also a camping ground for people who want to stay close to nature.

A Glimpse into Ōkiwi's Past

Ōkiwi has a history that stretches back many years.

Traditional Life

The Ngātiwai people have lived in the Ōkiwi area for a very long time. They are the traditional guardians of this land.

Community Decisions

Between 2015 and 2019, the local government group, called the Aotea / Great Barrier Island Local Board, looked into creating a new cemetery. They considered two places: Ōkiwi or Claris. After looking at both options, they decided that the new cemetery would be built in Claris.