| Ōtaki Forks | |
| Settlement Type: | Rural locality |
| Coordinates: | -40.868°N 175.235°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | Territorial authority |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kāpiti Coast District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Subdivision Type4: | Community |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Kāpiti Coast District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Greater Wellington Regional Council |
| Leader Title2: | Kāpiti Coast Mayor |
| Leader Title3: | Ōtaki MP |
| Leader Title4: | Te Tai Hauāuru MP |
| Area Total Km2: | 87.32 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
Ōtaki Forks is a rural locality in the Kāpiti Coast District of the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located at the confluence of the Ōtaki River with its tributaries Waiotauru River and Waitatapia River. It is 18 km southeast of Ōtaki by road.[1] It is the major entrance to the Tararua Forest Park from the west.[2]
Seed & O'Brien's steam-powered sawmill at Sheridan Creek, which operated from 1930 to 1938, has been partially restored. It was closed by a flood which destroyed bridges.[3]
The statistical area of Ōtaki Forks, which also includes Hautere, covers 87.32km2,[4] . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Ōtaki Forks had a population of 777 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (8.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 117 people (17.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 297 households, comprising 393 males and 384 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 50.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 123 people (15.8%) aged under 15 years, 102 (13.1%) aged 15 to 29, 381 (49.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 171 (22.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.1% European/Pākehā, 8.5% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 1.9% Asian, and 4.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 21.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.6% had no religion, 33.6% were Christian, 1.2% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 195 (29.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 78 (11.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 156 people (23.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 315 (48.2%) people were employed full-time, 126 (19.3%) were part-time, and 12 (1.8%) were unemployed.