Ōkiwi is a small settlement and rural community at the head of the Whangapoua Estuary, in Whangapoua Bay, on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf.[1]
Facilities include Okiwi School, one of three schools on the island, all primary schools. Next to the school is Okiwi Park, with a public toilet, barbeque area, cycling trail and stream. The park has old tōtara and pūriri trees that were spared by farmers, alongside some new forest.[2] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a church building.[3] The Department of Conservation's base for Great Barrier Island was opened at Okiwi in 2016, replacing their office at Port Fitzroy, which was damaged by a cyclone on 10 June 2014 and cut off from the rest of the island for six weeks.[4]
The Okiwi Basin area is a basin of farmland that can be seen from Palmer's Track, a walking track that runs from Windy Canyon to Mount Hobson.[5] The fertile area is used for organic and small-scale growing,[6] including the Okiwi Passion market garden and shop.[7][8]
Okiwi Airfield, Whangapoua Beach and a camping ground are east of the settlement.[9][1]
History edit
Ngātiwai have traditionally lived in the area.[10]
Between 2015 and 2019, the Aotea / Great Barrier Island Local Board investigated establishing a cemetery at Ōkiwi or Claris, opting to establish it in Claris.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b "Whangapoua Beach". greatbarrierisland.nz. Destination Great Barrier Island.
- ^ "Okiwi Park". aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Auckland Council.
- ^ "Great Barrier Island services". A Visitor Information Guide to Great Barrier Island. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "New DOC base opened on Great Barrier". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ Palmisano, Kae Lani (12 August 2019). "What it's like to stay on the remote Great Barrier Island in New Zealand". USA Today.
- ^ Smith, Catherine (18 March 2012). "Living it up on Great Barrier Island". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald.
- ^ "Okiwi Passion". okiwipassion.co.nz. Okiwi Passion.
- ^ Liptrot, Meg (5 January 2014). "Give back on a bach break". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Herald on Sunday.
- ^ "Okiwi Airfield" (PDF). aip.net.nz.
- ^ Brodie, James W. "Mariano Vella". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Local board proposes new cemetery for Great Barrier". Auckland Council. Our Auckland. 22 February 2019.