Ōmāio
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 | |
| 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 | 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 Ōmāio.[3] Due to the impact of climate change, Ōmāio has had fewer frosts, shorter winters, drier summers, more extreme weather, and greater pressure on its water supplies.[1]
In June 2019, Ōmāio 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 and 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 Whānau-a-Apanui is a co-educational Māori language immersion state area school for Year 1 to 13 students, with a roll of 147 as of April 2023.[8] It was established in January 2016, through the merger of Raukokore School, Te Kura o Ōmāio and Te Whānau-a-Apanui Area School.[9]
Rugby player Ruahei Demant lived in Ōmāio until the age of 12. She described the township as a "tiny place" in "the wops".[10]
References
- Keeble, Alexandra (29 June 2019). "The living net: kai in a changing climate". The Spinoff.
- Boswell, Anne (27 April 2017). "$30 million kiwifruit investment to pave the way for Maori landowners". stuff.co.nz.
- Boynton, John (21 December 2017). "Climate-resilient crops tested at East Coast settlement". Radio New Zealand. Te Manu Korihi.
- "Te Whānau a Apanui and Crown sign Agreement in Principle". scoop.co.nz. New Zealand Government. 28 June 2019.
- "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
- "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
- "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
- "Te Kura o Te Whanau-a-Apanui Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- "Te Kura o Te Whanau-a-Apanui Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- Stanley, Ashley (30 March 2020). "Practise, practise, practise: The Black Fern and the law". stuff.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz.