Ōpōtiki facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ōpōtiki
Minor urban area
Church Street, Ōpōtiki
Country	New Zealand
Region	Bay of Plenty
Territorial authority	Ōpōtiki District
Ward	Ōpōtiki Ward
Electorates	East Coast Waiariki (Māori)
Area
• Urban	8.59 km2 (3.32 sq mi)
Population  (June 2023)
• Urban	5,350
• Urban density	622.8/km2 (1,613.1/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	3122
Website	The council's site

Ōpōtiki (pronounced "aw-paw-TEE-kee") is a town located in the eastern part of the Bay of Plenty region. This region is found on the North Island of New Zealand. Ōpōtiki is an important town because it is home to the main offices of the Ōpōtiki District Council and the mayor of Ōpōtiki. It is also part of the larger Bay of Plenty Regional Council area.

History of Ōpōtiki

Early History and Conflicts

In 1840, a group called the New Zealand Church Missionary Society (CMS) set up a station in Ōpōtiki. This area was the traditional home of the Māori iwi (tribe) called Te Whakatōhea.

A sad event happened on March 2, 1865. A CMS missionary named Carl Völkner was killed by local Māori. They believed he was working as a spy for the New Zealand Government. Because of his death, the New Zealand Government sent soldiers to Ōpōtiki to find those responsible. Some local people were arrested, and some were executed. The government also took a large amount of land from local Bay of Plenty tribes, including Te Whakatōhea. This land stretched from Matatā to the east of Ōpōtiki.

Growth and Changes

After these events, military settlers moved to Ōpōtiki. The town became the main government center in the eastern Bay of Plenty. By 1882, Ōpōtiki was recognized as a town district. It then became a borough in 1908. Between 1901 and 1936, the number of people living in Ōpōtiki grew from 627 to 1,437.

Ōpōtiki's economy used to be mostly about farming. It was a busy town for dairy farming until the 1980s. In the 1980s, the town faced some tough times due to new economic rules. Two clothing factories nearby closed, and many public works jobs were lost. This caused the population to drop by 3.7% between 1996 and 2001.

However, in the early 2000s, the town's economy started to improve. New horticulture farms (growing fruits and vegetables) and an offshore mussel farm helped boost the local economy.

In recent years, Ōpōtiki has faced challenges with some community groups. For example, on June 14, 2024, a large funeral procession called a tangihanga caused some local schools and public transport to close temporarily. This event was even discussed by the Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon.

Geography and Climate

Location and Weather

The town of Ōpōtiki is located exactly on latitude 38° South. This means it's about halfway between the Equator and the South Pole. The weather here is mild, which means it's not too hot or too cold.

In summer, temperatures on the coast can reach the mid-20s Celsius (mid-70s Fahrenheit). This warm weather makes it a great place for beach activities, just like other parts of the Bay of Plenty. Winter days are often clear and sunny. The temperature during the day never drops below freezing, but there might be a light frost at night. Snow falls on the mountain ranges and stays for a few weeks on the higher peaks (over 1000 meters). Rain can happen in any season. Sometimes, very heavy rainstorms can occur in the high country, leading to flash floods that have affected Ōpōtiki town in the past.

Population Information

Ōpōtiki's People

Ōpōpōtiki covers an area of about 8.59 square kilometers. As of 2018, the town had an estimated population of 5,350. This means there were about 623 people living in each square kilometer.

In 2018, the town had a population of 4,806 people. This was an increase of 735 people (18.1%) since 2013, and 363 people (8.2%) since 2006. There were 1,539 households in Ōpōtiki. The population included 2,337 males and 2,472 females. About 1,221 people (25.4%) were under 15 years old, and 744 people (15.5%) were 65 or older.

People in Ōpōtiki come from many different backgrounds. In 2018, about 46.7% identified as European/Pākehā, and 67.9% identified as Māori. There were also people from Pacific islands (4.2%), Asian countries (3.7%), and other ethnicities (1.1%). Some people identified with more than one background.

When asked about their beliefs, 41.9% of people said they had no religion. About 30.7% were Christian, and 18.0% followed Māori religious beliefs. Other religions like Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist were also present.

For those aged 15 and older, 8.5% had a university degree or higher. About 28.7% did not have any formal qualifications. In terms of jobs, 42.7% of people aged 15 and over worked full-time, 13.4% worked part-time, and 8.4% were unemployed.

Places and Services

Marae

Ōpōtiki is home to three important marae. A marae is a special meeting place for Māori people, often including a meeting house and an open area for gatherings.

• Maromahue Marae and Te Poho o Kahungunu meeting house is a traditional meeting place for the Whakatōhea hapū (sub-tribe) of Te Ūpokorehe. In 2020, the government helped fund upgrades for this marae, which also created 16 jobs.
• Te Rere Marae and Te Iringa meeting house is a meeting place for the Whakatōhea hapū of Ngāti Ngahere. In 2020, this marae also received funding for upgrades, helping to create jobs.
• Rongopopoia Marae, also known as Te Kahikatea Marae, is a meeting place for the Tūhoe hapū of Upokorehe.

Museum

The Opotiki Heritage and Agricultural Society runs a museum in Ōpōtiki. It first opened its doors in 2001.

Transport and Infrastructure

Roads and Harbour

Ōpōtiki is located where two main highways meet: State Highway 2 and State Highway 35. State Highway 2 connects Ōpōtiki to towns like Whakatāne, Rotorua, and Tauranga to the west. To the south and east, State Highway 2 offers an inland route to Gisborne. State Highway 35 follows the coast, passing through places like Te Araroa.

Ōpōtiki Harbour was used by coastal ships until the mid-1960s. As of 2023, there is a project underway to rebuild the harbor, including the wharf and the entrance to the harbor.

Utilities

Horizon Networks manages the electricity supply in Ōpōtiki. Electricity comes from Transpower's national power grid at its Waiotahi substation.

Natural gas arrived in Ōpōtiki in 1984. This happened when the high-pressure pipeline from Kawerau to Gisborne was built. Today, First Gas owns and operates both this pipeline and the local network that supplies gas to the town.

Education in Ōpōtiki

Ōpōtiki has several schools for different age groups.

• Ōpōtiki College is a high school for students in Year 9 to 13. It is a co-educational school, meaning both boys and girls attend. It has a roll of 310 students as of February 2024.
• There are three co-educational primary schools for students in Year 1 to 8: Opotiki School, with a roll of 272; Ashbrook School, with a roll of 64; and Woodlands School, with a roll of 157.
• St Joseph's Catholic School is a co-educational primary school for Year 1 to 8 students. It is a state-integrated Catholic school, meaning it's part of the public school system but has a special character. It has a roll of 163 students as of February 2024.

Notable People from Ōpōtiki

• James Rolleston is an actor known for his role in the movie Boy and for Vodafone NZ advertisements. He grew up and lives in Ōpōtiki.
• René Lannuzel was a popular priest from Pen Allan Garo, Plourin. He served in Ōpōtiki until he passed away and is buried there.

Climate

See also

In Spanish: Opotiki para niños