Omarumutu

Omarumutu is a community in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island, located near the mouth of the Waiaua River.^[6] The area includes large tracts of Māori freehold land.^[6] Neighbouring localities are Opape, on the coast 2 km (1.2 mi) to the east, and Waiaua, 2 km (1.2 mi) inland.

Omarumutu locality, which also includes Waiaua, covers 14.21 km² (5.49 sq mi).^[4] It is part of the Ōtara-Tirohanga statistical area.^[7]

Omarumutu had a population of 174 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (13.7%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 9 people (−4.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 93 males and 81 females in 66 dwellings.^[9] 1.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 21 people (12.1%) aged under 15 years, 33 (19.0%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (46.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (24.1%) aged 65 or older.^[5]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 63.8% European (Pākehā), 56.9% Māori, and 1.7% Asian. English was spoken by 96.6%, Māori by 12.1%, and other languages by 5.2%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 8.6, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[5]

Religious affiliations were 36.2% Christian, and 3.4% Māori religious beliefs. People who answered that they had no religion were 51.7%, and 8.6% of people did not answer the census question.^[5]

Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (9.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 84 (54.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 51 (33.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $32,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (7.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 69 (45.1%) full-time, 18 (11.8%) part-time, and 9 (5.9%) unemployed.^[5]

Ōtara-Tirohanga statistical area covers 113.40 km² (43.78 sq mi)^[10] and had an estimated population of 1,340 as of June 2024,^[11] with a population density of 12 people per km².

Ōtara-Tirohanga had a population of 1,407 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 231 people (19.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 240 people (20.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 702 males, 702 females, and 3 people of other genders in 486 dwellings.^[14] 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 42.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 291 people (20.7%) aged under 15 years, 225 (16.0%) aged 15 to 29, 567 (40.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 327 (23.2%) aged 65 or older.^[12]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 62.9% European (Pākehā); 57.1% Māori; 2.8% Pasifika; 1.5% Asian; 0.9% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Māori by 15.1%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 4.1%. No language could be spoken by 2.8% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 10.4, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[12]

Religious affiliations were 28.6% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.2% Islam, 8.7% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% New Age, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 52.5%, and 8.5% of people did not answer the census question.^[12]

Of those at least 15 years old, 153 (13.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 603 (54.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 363 (32.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $32,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 78 people (7.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 483 (43.3%) full-time, 165 (14.8%) part-time, and 48 (4.3%) unemployed.^[12]

Ōmarumutu Marae features the Tūtāmure meeting house, named after the ancestral chief of Ngāti Ruatākena, who overcame Ngāti Kahungunu on the Māhia Peninsula. Tūtāmure's original fortifications are still visible; the nearby Makeo peak was one of his strongholds.^[15] The house was opened in 1901.^[16]

Omarumutu War Memorial Hall, located on the marae, was opened by Minister of Māori Affairs Ralph Hanan on 18 March 1961. Bishop Wiremu Panapa and Reverend Rangi Ehu unveiled a memorial tablet inside, presented to Ngāti Ruatākena and Whakatōhea by members of the Māori Battalion, to commemorate both Māori and Pākehā who died during the Boer War, World War I and World War II. Pine Taiapa oversaw the creation of the carvings, tukutuku and kōwhaiwhai that decorate the hall.^[16] The artwork is promoted as some of the best Māori artwork in the country and is a tourist drawcard, open the public when tangihanga or other functions are not being held.^[17][15]

A memorial cenotaph on the marae, a white column on a concrete base and funeral urn, was initially unveiled with the names of eight local men who died during wars. The names of a further eight who died during World War II and the Vietnam War were added in 1978. A granite memorial stone, also on a concrete base, lists the name of a further four men who died during World War II.^[18]

In October 2020, the Government committed $61,944 from the Provincial Growth Fund to renovate the war memorial, toilets and cooking shed, creating an estimated 8 jobs.^[19]

Te Kura o Ōmarumutu is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,^[20] with a roll of 76 as of July 2025.^[21] It opened in 1861 as Ōmarumutu Native School.^[22] It became a Designated Character School in 2022.^[23]