Ōkiwi Explained

Ōkiwi is a small settlement and rural community at the head of the Whangapoua Estuary, in Whangapoua Bay, on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf.[1]

Facilities include Okiwi School, one of three schools on the island, all primary schools. Next to the school is Okiwi Park, with a public toilet, barbeque area, cycling trail and stream. The park has old tōtara and pūriri trees that were spared by farmers, alongside some new forest.[2] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a church building.[3] The Department of Conservation's base for Great Barrier Island was opened at Okiwi in 2016, replacing their office at Port Fitzroy, which was damaged by a cyclone on 10 June 2014 and cut off from the rest of the island for six weeks.[4]

The Okiwi Basin area is a basin of farmland that can be seen from Palmer's Track, a walking track that runs from Windy Canyon to Mount Hobson.[5] The fertile area is used for organic and small-scale growing,[6] including the Okiwi Passion market garden and shop.[7] [8]

Okiwi Airfield, Whangapoua Beach and a camping ground are east of the settlement.[9]

History

Ngātiwai have traditionally lived in the area.

Between 2015 and 2019, the Aotea / Great Barrier Island Local Board investigated establishing a cemetery at Ōkiwi or Claris, opting to establish it in Claris.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Whangapoua Beach . greatbarrierisland.nz . Destination Great Barrier Island.
  2. Web site: Okiwi Park . aucklandcouncil.govt.nz . Auckland Council.
  3. Web site: Great Barrier Island services . A Visitor Information Guide to Great Barrier Island . 27 March 2021.
  4. Web site: New DOC base opened on Great Barrier . 28 October 2016 . Beehive.govt.nz . New Zealand Government . 27 March 2021.
  5. News: Palmisano . Kae Lani . What it's like to stay on the remote Great Barrier Island in New Zealand . . 12 August 2019.
  6. News: Smith . Catherine . Living it up on Great Barrier Island . . . 18 March 2012.
  7. Web site: Okiwi Passion . okiwipassion.co.nz . Okiwi Passion.
  8. News: Liptrot . Meg . Give back on a bach break . . . 5 January 2014.
  9. Web site: Okiwi Airfield . aip.net.nz.
  10. News: Local board proposes new cemetery for Great Barrier . Our Auckland . . 22 February 2019.