Pakotai facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pakotai
Pakotai Location in Northland Region
Country	New Zealand
Region	Northland Region
District	Whangarei District

Pakotai (Māori: Pakōtai) is a small community found in the beautiful Mangakahia River Valley. It is located in the Northland Region of New Zealand. Pakotai is a quiet place, surrounded by nature and local history.

Discovering Pakotai

Pakotai is a community in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It sits in the lovely Mangakahia River Valley. If you travel north from Pakotai, you'll reach Kaikohe in about 37 kilometers. To the southeast, about 34 kilometers away, is Maungatapere.

A Look at Pakotai's Past

For a few years, from 1947 to 1951, people mined copper in Pakotai. Mining is when valuable minerals are dug out from the ground. Copper is a metal used in many things, like electrical wires and pipes.

Te Tārai o Rāhiri Marae

In Pakotai, there is a special community meeting place called a marae. This marae is named Te Tārai o Rāhiri Marae. It is a very important place for the local Māori people. The marae is connected to several Ngāpuhi hapū, which are family groups or sub-tribes. These include Ngāti Toki, Ngāti Horahia, Ngāti Moe, Ngāti Te Rino, Te Kumutu, Ngāti Whakahotu, and Te Parawhau. The marae also has a meeting house called Nukutawhiti. It is a place for gatherings, celebrations, and learning.

Pakotai School

Pakotai School is a local school for children from year 1 to year 8. This means it teaches students from about 5 years old up to 13 years old. The school first opened its doors in 1905. It is a coeducational school, meaning both boys and girls attend. In 2023, the school had 24 students.