Fact Sheet
The Land
The Opotiki District encompasses 25% of the Bay of Plenty region. Approximately 50% of the Bay of Plenty coastline falls within the Opotiki District, and close to 52% of the landmass is in DoC estate, with a further 12% managed through Nga Whenua Rahui, in association with DoC.
The People
A usually resident population of 8,973 at the 2006 Census, a decrease of 1.9% since 2001. Of those, 4884 identified as Māori in 2006, which represents over 54% of the population. The population structure is relatively youthful when compared to NZ, with 27.5% under 15 years, compared to 21.5% for NZ as a whole. Opotiki’s population was 0.9% of the NZ population at 2006.
The three major iwi groupings in the area are Whakatōhea, Ngai Tai and Te Whanau a Apanui. All are currently involved in various stages of Treaty Settlement negotiations.
In 2006 4,176 people lived in the Opotiki township, with the remainder spread in small settlements along the coastline, and small rural communities.
When compared to other populations through the Index of Deprivation, Opotiki has persistently figured among the most highly deprived populations in NZ. For example the median income in 2006 was $17,400 compared to the national median of $24,400. Over 56% had total incomes under $20,000 compared to 43% nationally. Over 40% had no formal qualifications, compared to 25% for NZ as a whole. One parent families comprise 27% while the national percentage is 18%.
Infrastructure
At the 2006 Census there were 3,267 occupied dwellings and 798 unoccupied dwellings counted.
Opotiki’s roading network includes 29km of urban roads, 158km of sealed roads and 151km of unsealed roads.
The District has 193 hectares in reserve land.
The township has the capacity in water and sewerage infrastructure to service around double the existing population.
The history of the Ōpōtiki Harbour
Until the mid-1960s, the Ōpōtiki Harbour was used by coastal shipping vessels. Since that time, access to the Harbour has been limited to vessels drawing less than 0.5metres, because of the shallow depth of the channel over the bar at the Waioeka River mouth.
Access for boats into the Harbour is generally now unavailable two hours either side of low tide.
Aquaculture to create a new lease of life for the Ōpōtiki Harbour
In 2006, Eastern Sea Farms Limited, which is majority-owned by the Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, was granted a license for a 3,800-hectare marine farm to be established six kilometres off the coast of Ōpōtiki. The High Court upheld the granting of the license in 2009.
The planned marine farm will be the largest aquaculture venture in New Zealand.
There is also potential for further aquaculture development off the Ōpōtiki coastline.
The marine farm means the Harbour will need to be improved
The new marine farm’s servicing and processing activities are planned for Ōpōtiki. However, to give vessels reliable access to the Harbour, improvements need to be made. The harbour improvements will ensure access for vessels with a minimum draw of 2.5metres.
Social and economic benefits for the regions
Developing aquaculture within Ōpōtiki could transform the District's economy. It could:
- Create more than 900 full-time jobs.
- Add more than $34 million a year to the District economy.
- Substantially increase average household incomes.
Our key partners
A number of key partners have supported the development of the Harbour Project. These include:
- The Ministry of Economic Development.
- The Ministry of Social Development.
- BayTrust.
- Horizon Energy Distribution Limited.
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council, RGG and NZTE
- NZ Transport Agency
- CoBOP, Inspiring Communities
A business case asking the New Zealand Government to contribute in part to the construction cost for the Ōpōtiki Harbour Development is being prepared.
