Ōtorohanga District

Ōtorohanga District is located south of Hamilton, west of Rotorua, and northwest of Taupo. 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 1,976 square kilometres (763 sq mi).[2] It is a mostly rural area, with significant areas of native forest.

The district's population at June 2020 was 10,700.[1] The town of Otorohanga, located at about the centre of the district, is the largest town, with a population of 3,240. Other communities include Hauturu, Honikiwi, Kawhia, Maihiihi, Oparau, Otewa, Owhiro, Puketotara, Te Kawa and Wharepuhunga.

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.[2] It was reconstituted as part of the 1989 local government reforms, with a nearly identical area.[3]

The seat of Ōtorohanga District Council is in the town of Otorohanga. 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 Otorohanga (two councillors).[4] Max Baxter has been the mayor since the 2013 local elections.[5]

The District is entirely within the wider Waikato Regional Council area.[3]

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. There were 5,292 males and 4,812 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female. Of the total population, 2,283 people (22.6%) were aged up to 15 years, 1,926 (19.1%) were 15 to 29, 4,416 (43.7%) were 30 to 64, and 1,479 (14.6%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.

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 objected to giving their religion, 55.5% had no religion, 30.7% were Christian, and 5.8% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 918 (11.7%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 1,896 (24.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $30,200. 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.[6]

• Ōtorohanga District Council