Ōtorohanga District

Ōtorohanga District is a territorial municipality in the King Country area and Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is a mostly rural area, with Ōtorohanga town being by far the biggest urban area, with a population nearing 3,000. The District was called Otorohanga County from 1971 to 1979.

Ōtorohanga District
View of Ōtorohanga
View of Ōtorohanga
Coordinates: 38°15′S 175°20′E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikato
WardsKawhia-Tihiroa
Waipa
Wharepuhunga
Kiokio-Korakonui
Ōtorohanga
Formed1979
SeatŌtorohanga
Government
  MayorMax Baxter
  Deputy MayorRoy Johnson
  Territorial authorityŌtorohanga District Council
Area
  Land1,999.18 km2 (771.89 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
  Total10,900
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
WebsiteŌtorohanga District

Geography

Ōtorohanga District is located south of Hamilton, west of Rotorua, and northwest of Taupō. It stretches from Kawhia Harbour on the west coast inland to the Pureora Forest Park. Adjacent local government districts are (clockwise from the north) Waikato, Waipa, South Waikato, Taupo, and Waitomo. The district has a land area of 1,999.18 square kilometres (771.89 sq mi).[1] It is a mostly rural area, with significant areas of native forest.

History

After the land wars, the wider area of the King Country was a refuge for Tāwhiao, the second Māori King, and his followers. From 1864 to 1883, pākehā (white settlers) were not allowed into the area unless they had express permission. The district was used for farming from the late 19th century onwards.

The first municipal government, Otorohanga County, was formed in 1922. In 1956, the northern part of Kawhia County and Otorohanga County were amalgamated. On 1 November 1971, Otorohanga Borough was subsumed into Otorohanga County. The Otorohanga District was declared in 1979 by renaming Otorohanga County.[3] It was reconstituted as part of the 1989 local government reforms, with a nearly identical area.[4]

Governance

The seat of Ōtorohanga District Council is in the town of Ōtorohanga. The council is headed by a mayor, and complemented by seven councillors from five wards. The council wards are Kawhia/Tihiroa (two councillors), Waipa, Wharepuhunga, Kiokio/ Korakonui, and Ōtorohanga (two councillors).[5] Max Baxter has been the mayor since the 2013 local elections.[6]

The District is entirely within the wider Waikato Regional Council area.[4]

Demographics

The district's population in June 2023 was 10,900.[2] The town of Ōtorohanga, located at about the centre of the district, is the largest town, with a population of 3,320. Other communities include Hauturu, Honikiwi, Kawhia, Maihiihi, Oparau, Otewa, Owhiro, Puketotara, Te Kawa and Wharepuhunga.

Ōtorohanga District covers 1,999.18 km2 (771.89 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 10,900 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 5.5 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20069,075    
20139,141+0.10%
201810,104+2.02%
Source: [7]

Ōtorohanga District had a population of 10,104 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 963 people (10.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,029 people (11.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 3,498 households, comprising 5,292 males and 4,812 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. The median age was 36.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 2,283 people (22.6%) aged under 15 years, 1,926 (19.1%) aged 15 to 29, 4,416 (43.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,479 (14.6%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 77.5% European/Pākehā, 30.0% Māori, 2.2% Pacific peoples, 4.0% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.5% had no religion, 30.7% were Christian, 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 918 (11.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,896 (24.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,200, compared with $31,800 nationally. 1,005 people (12.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 3,984 (50.9%) people were employed full-time, 1,266 (16.2%) were part-time, and 279 (3.6%) were unemployed.[7]

Individual wards
NameArea (km2)PopulationDensity (per km2)HouseholdsMedian ageMedian income
Kawhia-Tihiroa Ward791.223,0483.851,10139.9 years$28,600
Waipa Ward468.571,3052.7947433.8 years$38,800
Kiokio-Korakonui Ward163.411,4588.9249232.8 years$39,400
Ōtorohanga Ward5.073,027597.041,10137.6 years$26,700
Wharepuhunga Ward570.911,2662.2233033.4 years$26,700
New Zealand37.4 years$31,800

References

  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  2. "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. "About us". Otorohanga District Council. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  4. "Proposal for Ōtorohanga District". New Zealand Geographic Board. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  5. "Otorohanga District Council Elected Members". Otorohanga District Council. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  6. Leaman, Aaron (14 October 2013). "Business as usual as Baxter takes charge". Waikato Times. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  7. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Otorohanga District (018). 2018 Census place summary: Ōtorohanga District
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