| Otakiri | |
| Settlement Type: | Rural community |
| Pushpin Map: | New Zealand |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Coordinates: | -37.9855°N 176.7647°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Name1: | Bay of Plenty |
| Subdivision Type2: | Territorial authority |
| Subdivision Name2: | Whakatāne District |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
Otakiri (Maori: 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.[1]
A dairy factory was established in the area in 1912.[2]
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.[3] Permission was granted in June 2018.[4] Green Party cabinet minister Eugenie Sage's involvement in the decision led to a revolt within the party.[5]
A local crowd-funded environment group appealed the decision in 2019,[6] with support from local iwi Ngāti Awa.[7]
Otakiri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 0 to 8 students,[8] [9] with a roll of as of .[10]
The Otakiri School logo consists of Maori patterns and designs, and shows a pūkeko in front of a triangle, representing the nearby mountain of Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe). The school's motto is "Learners Forever, Leading the Future".
The school was founded in 1920. It now consists of a field, sports turf, computer suite, library, hard court and several playgrounds, and uses the neighbouring Otakiri District Hall for assemblies, fundraising and school events.
The school hosts a Country Fair and a Calf-Club Day every spring and regular sports competitions. It alternates each year between a talent show and a school show.
Currently, there are four school houses:
Previously, there were five school houses: