Since the early 19th century, the area has been home to Māori of the Ngāti Raukawaiwi who had migrated from the Kawhia area from about 1819, under the leadership of Te Rauparaha. They had supplanted the Rangitāne and Muaūpoko people. At the request of Te Rauparaha, missionaries Henry Williams and Octavius Hadfield visited the area in December and Hadfield opened the first mission in the Wellington Region at Otaki. At the nearby Raukawa marae is the Rangiātea Church, the original of which was completed in 1851. Burnt down in 1995, it was completely rebuilt by 2003.
The town is situated at the northern end of the Kapiti Coast, close to the banks of the Ōtaki River, 4 kilometres from its outflow into the Tasman Sea. The surrounding district includes Te Horo and Manakau and the beach settlement at Waikawa Beach. The district is agricultural, with market gardens and lifestyle blocks. The economy of the town includes service industries for the rural community. The local paper is the Ōtaki Mail.
Features
Ōtaki is home to Te Wānanga o Raukawa a Tikanga Māori university. It also hosts the annual Maoriland Film Festival and Otaki Kite Festival. and is home of The Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club. established in 1886. Ōtaki Forks is the western gateway to the Tararua Forest Park. It offers recreational activities ranging from short walks, swimming, rafting and kayaking to advanced tramps of 3 – 5 days duration, including the Southern Crossing that ends at Kaitoke 45 km northeast of Wellington. Ōtaki Beach spans the stretch of coastline between the Ōtaki River and the Waitohu Stream, with a residential community of both permanant and holiday homes. The beach is popular for surfing, swimming, recreational fishing, horse riding, walking and photography.
Sports & Community
Otaki Golf Clubestablished in 1901, is a links style 18 hole golf course located at the northern end of the historic Old Coach Road. Otaki Surf Life Saving Club actively patrols the beach during the summer. Other sports facilities include rugby, rugby league, netball, swimming, wakaama, water polo, football, squash, and tennis.
Education
Early Learning Schools
Ōtaki Montessori School is a co-educational pre-school for children from ages 2-6, Ōtaki Early Learning Centre is a co-educational pre-school for children of age 2 and above.
Primary schools
Otaki School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students, with a roll of as of. Waitohu School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of. St Peter Chanel School is a co-educational state-integrated Christian primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of.
Kura Kaupapa
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito is a co-educational state Māori language immersion school for Year 1 to 13 students, with a roll of as of. Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano is a co-educational state Māori language immersion school for Year 1 to 13 students, with a roll of.
Secondary school
Otaki College is a co-educational state secondary school for Year 7 to 13 students, with a roll of as of.
