Otakiri
Otakiri | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
Interactive map of Otakiri | |
| Coordinates: 37°59′06″S 176°45′54″E / 37.985°S 176.765°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Whakatāne District |
| Ward | Rangitāiki General Ward |
| Community | Rangitāiki Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Whakatāne District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Whakatāne | Nándor Tánczos |
| • East Coast MP | Dana Kirkpatrick |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi |
| Area | |
• Total | 51.55 km2 (19.90 sq mi) |
| Population (2023 Census) | |
• Total | 1,257 |
| • Density | 24.38/km2 (63.15/sq mi) |
Otakiri (Māori: Ōtākiri) 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.