Omaio is a coastal township in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island.

Omaio
Locallity
Omaio Soldiers' Memorial Church
Omaio Soldiers' Memorial Church
Map
Coordinates: 37°48′58″S 177°37′44″E / 37.816°S 177.629°E / -37.816; 177.629
CountryNew Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityŌpōtiki District
WardCoast
ElectoratesEast Coast
Waiariki
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
3199
Area code07

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 Omaio.[3] Due to the impact of climate change, Omaio has had fewer frosts, shorter winters, drier summers, more extreme weather, and greater pressure on its water supplies.[1]

In June 2019, Omaio hosted an historic signing of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement agreement between Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and the Crown.[4]

Marae

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The settlement has three marae of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui.

Education

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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 177 as of August 2024.[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 Omaio until the age of 12. She described the township as a "tiny place" in "the wops".[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b Keeble, Alexandra (29 June 2019). "The living net: kai in a changing climate". The Spinoff.
  2. ^ Boswell, Anne (27 April 2017). "$30 million kiwifruit investment to pave the way for Maori landowners". stuff.co.nz.
  3. ^ Boynton, John (21 December 2017). "Climate-resilient crops tested at East Coast settlement". Radio New Zealand. Te Manu Korihi.
  4. ^ "Te Whānau a Apanui and Crown sign Agreement in Principle". scoop.co.nz. New Zealand Government. 28 June 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  6. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  8. ^ "Te Kura o Te Whanau-a-Apanui Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  9. ^ "Te Kura o Te Whanau-a-Apanui Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  10. ^ Stanley, Ashley (30 March 2020). "Practise, practise, practise: The Black Fern and the law". stuff.co.nz. newsroom.co.nz.