Otaika facts for kids

Otaika (which in Māori is Ōtaika) is a suburb located in Whangārei, New Zealand. It sits about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) south of the main city. The Otaika Stream flows through the area and into the Whangārei Harbour. New Zealand's main road, State Highway 1, also passes through Otaika.

A nearby hill called Tikorangi is 161 meters (528 feet) tall. This hill is an important source of limestone. Limestone from Tikorangi is used to make cement at a place called Portland Cement. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage says that the name Ōtāika means "place of lying in a heap."

History of Otaika

Learn about the early days and important events that shaped Otaika.

Early Māori Settlement

In the 1830s, Otaika was a busy Māori village. It was home to the Te Parawhau hapū (a family group or sub-tribe). The chief of this village was named Tiakiriri.

Arrival of European Settlers

The first European settlers, known as Pākehā, arrived in Otaika around 1856. These were brothers named Frederick and George Taylor. More Pākehā families soon settled further up the Otaika Valley.

There's a funny story from those days. George Edge's geese would sometimes wander off. Local people would find and eat them. Because of this, the valley earned the nickname "Kai-goose," which means "eat-goose."

Toetoe Marae

The Toetoe Marae is a special meeting place in Otaika. It includes the Toetoe meeting house. This marae is located north of the village, near the Otaika Stream. It is a tribal meeting ground for several Māori groups. These include the Ngāpuhi hapū of Te Parawhau and Te Uriroroi. It is also a meeting place for the Ngāti Whātua hapū of Te Uriroroi.

Otaika's Population and People

Discover who lives in Otaika and what makes the community special.

Population Overview

The Otaika-Portland area covers about 41.51 square kilometers (16 square miles). In the 2023 New Zealand census, the population was 1,392 people. This shows a small increase of 54 people since the 2018 census. The population has grown by 246 people since the 2013 census.

Community Diversity

The people of Otaika-Portland come from many backgrounds. Most residents identify as European (Pākehā). A significant number also identify as Māori. There are also people from Pasifika and Asian backgrounds.

Most people in Otaika speak English. Some also speak the Māori language. A small number of people speak other languages.

Age Groups and Lifestyles

The median age in Otaika-Portland is about 42 years old. This is a bit older than the national average. About 19% of the population is under 15 years old. Around 17.5% are 65 or older.

Many people in Otaika-Portland work full-time or part-time. The median income for adults is around $38,900. This is slightly lower than the national median income.

Education in Otaika

Learn about the local school that serves the children of Otaika.

Otaika Valley School

Otaika Valley School is the main school in the area. It is a coeducational primary school, meaning both boys and girls attend. The school teaches students from Year 1 to Year 6. As of February 2024. , the school has 117 students.