world.wikisort.org - New_Zealand

Ōmāio is a coastal township in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.

Ōmāio
Locallity
Ōmāio Soldiers' Memorial Church
Coordinates: 37.816°S 177.629°E / -37.816; 177.629
Country	New Zealand
Region	Bay of Plenty
Territorial authority	Ōpōtiki District
Ward	Coast
Electorates	East Coast Waiariki
Time zone	UTC+12 (NZST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode	3199
Area code(s)	07

During the 20th century, families collectively farmed the area for sheep and beef. More recently, they have been considering a shift to kiwifruit farming.[1] Funding was granted for a pilot kiwifruit farm in April 2017.[2]

During 2018 and 2019, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research tested climate-resilient crops in Omaio.[3] Due to the impact of climate change, Omaio has had fewer frosts, shorter winters, drier summers, more extreme weather, and greater pressure on its water supplies.[1]

In June 2019 Omaio hosted an historic signing of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement agreement between Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and the Crown.[4]

Marae

The settlement has three marae of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui.

Ōmāio Marae and Rongomaihuatahi meeting house is a meeting place for the hapū of Te Whānau a Nuku.[5] In October 2020, the Government committed $1,646,820 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and five others, creating 10 jobs.[6]

Ōtūwhare Marae mand Te Poho o Rūtāia meeting house belongs to the hapū of Te Whānau a Rutaia.[7][5]

Whitianga Marae and Tūtawake meeting house belongs to the hapū of Te Whānau a Tutawake.[7][5]

Education

Te Kura o Te Whanau-a-Apanui is a co-educational Māori language immersion state area school for Year 1 to 13 students, with a roll of 132 as of March 2022.[8] It was established in January 2016, through the merger of Raukokore School, Te Kura o Omaio and Te Whanau-A-Apanui Area School.[9]

Rugby player Ruahei Demant lived in Omaio until the age of 12. She described the township as a "tiny place" in "the wops".[10]

References

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