Otaika

This article is about the location in New Zealand. For the Polynesian dish, see 'Ota 'ika.

Otaika
Otaika
Coordinates: 35°47′13″S 174°18′20″E / 35.78694°S 174.30556°E / -35.78694; 174.30556Coordinates: 35°47′13″S 174°18′20″E / 35.78694°S 174.30556°E / -35.78694; 174.30556
Country	New Zealand
Region	Northland Region
District	Whangarei District
Population (2006)
– Total	993

Otaika is a locality in Northland, New Zealand. Whangarei is 7 km to the north. The Otaika Stream runs from the north west, through the area, and into the Whangarei Harbour. State Highway 1 runs through the locality. The hill Tikorangi (with a summit 161 m above sea level) lies to the South. Tikorangi is a source of limestone for Portland Cement.^[1][2][3]

The population of the Otaika-Portland area was 993 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 18 from 2001.^[4]

History

In the 1830s, Okaika was a Māori village of Te Parawhau hapū. Tiakiriri was the chief.^[5] The first Pakeha settlers were Frederick and George Taylor, who were living at Otaika by 1856.^[3] More Pākehā settled further up the Okaika Valley around this time. George Edge's wandering geese were sometimes eaten by locals, leading to a nickname for the valley of "Kai-goose".^[6]

Education

Otaika Valley School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 77.^[7]

References

1. ^ Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 7. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8. 
2. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 27. ISBN 1-877333-20-4. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Pickmere, Nancy Preece (1986). Whangarei: The Founding Years. pp. 65. 
4. ^ Quickstats about Otaika-Portland
5. ^ Pickmere, p 14
6. ^ Pickmere, pp 65-66
7. ^ "Te Kete Ipurangi - Otaika Valley School". Ministry of Education. http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=1068.