Otakiri or Ōtākiri is a rural community just outside Edgecumbe, in the Whakatāne District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.
Otakiri | |
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Rural community | |
Otakiri | |
Coordinates: 37.985475°S 176.764733°E / -37.985475; 176.764733 | |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Bay of Plenty |
Territorial authority | Whakatāne District |
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.[2]
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 174 as of March 2022.[10]
The Otakiri School logo consists of Maori patterns and designs, and shows a Pukeko in front of a triangle, representing the nearby mountain of Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe). The school's motto is "Learners Forever, Leading the Future".[8]
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.[9]
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.[8]
Currently, there are four school houses:
Previously, there were five school houses: