Otakiri | |
|---|---|
Rural community | |
  Otakiri | |
| Coordinates: 37°59′08″S 176°45′53″E / 37.985475°S 176.764733°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Whakatāne District |
Otakiri (Māori: 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.[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]
Education
Otakiri School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 0 to 8 students,[8][9] with a roll of 180 as of April 2023.[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".[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:
- Walker (Yellow) - Named after BMX rider Sarah Walker
- Jackson (Green) - Named after New Zealand director Peter Jackson
- McCaw (Black) - Named after the All Black captain Richie McCaw
- Blake (Red) - Named after yachtsman Sir Peter Blake[8]
Previously, there were five school houses:
- Te Kanawa/T.K. (Purple) - Named after New Zealand opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
- Kendall (Black) - Named after Barbara Kendall, a former New Zealand boardsailor
- Mahy (Orange) - Named after New Zealand author, Margaret Mahy
- Hillary (Green) - Named after Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer
- Blake (Red) - Named after yachtsman Sir Peter Blake[8]
References
- ↑ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- 1 2 McKinnon, Malcolm (1 August 2016). "Bay of Plenty region". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
- ↑ "Locals oppose Otakiri water bottling". Sun Media. sunlive.co.nz. 1 September 2017.
- ↑ Shand, Matt (12 June 2018). "Overseas investment for Otakiri Springs bottling giant approved in principle". stuff.co.nz.
- ↑ Cooke, Henry (13 June 2018). "Green Party members revolt over water bottling decision". stuff.co.nz.
- ↑ Kelway, Sam (21 May 2019). "Chinese water bottling plant's proposal to take water from Whakatane aquifer 'sustainable', court hears". Television New Zealand. 1 News.
- ↑ "Local iwi concerned over 'irreversible harm' to Whakatāne aquifer after Chinese water bottling plant granted consent". Television New Zealand. 1 News. 23 May 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Otakiri School Official School Website". otakiri.school.nz.
- 1 2 "Otakiri School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ↑ "Otakiri School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.