Opotiki

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Opotiki is a town in the eastern Bay of Plenty in the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on a harbour cove formed by the intersection of two rivers, the Waioeka and the Otara and is surrounded by these rivers on three sides. Opotiki is centrally located in a rapidly growing holiday area and spans two main highways.

The town is sheltered from the cold and the yearly hours of sunshine rate highly in New Zealand. There are some frosts in winter and short periods of heavy rainfall can occur at any time but neither humidity or smog create any problem in the area.

All of Opotiki's attractions are within easy distance and are easily accessible. Such as: thermal areas with hot pools, many rivers and lakes well stocked with fish, bush country with hunting and the beautiful Bay of Plenty which has deep-sea fishing, boating, surfcasting, surfing and swimming. Opotiki is a great place to visit for its serenity and peace and quiet.

Opotiki History

The first known inhabitants of the district were members of the Tini o Toi people, who derived from the Tākitimu waka which came to the Whakatane area from Taranaki. A few generations later followed the Tainui and Te Arawa people, from the first of which the present Ngaitai tribe claim direct descent. Also in this period were migrations by the Nukutere waka from Taranaki, and the Rangimatoru waka.

The first contact between local Maori and Europeans was in 1769 when Captain Cook passed down the Bay of Plenty coast. Early in the nineteenth century a few European and American traders and whalers began to visit.

Main Towns in the Eastland Region

Other Towns in the Eastland Region