Pacific Coast Highway Traveller’s Guide

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Opotiki, New Zealand

The town of Opotiki is situated on a harbour inlet formed by the junction of two rivers, the Waioeka and the Otara. Bounded by these rivers on three sides, the township of Opotiki which is now a ward of the Opotiki District Council, comprises 309 hectares. The county which extends from Ohiwa to Cape Runaway has a population of 9,201.

Ideally and centrally situated in a magnificent and rapidly expanding holiday area, Opotiki straddles two main highways. Highway 35, the glorious 335 km Pacific Coast Highway scenic route commences here and continues to Gisborne. Highway 2 continues through Opotiki from the north, along the 150 km Waioeka Gorge Scenic Highway to Gisborne. From Opotiki it is 52 km to Whakatane via Taneatua and 40 km via Ohope. Opotiki is also only 150 km to Tauranga and 140 km to Rotorua - truly an ideal base for any holidaymaker. 

As a point of interest, the active volcano of White Island is 48 km off shore, seemingly serving as a “weather vane”, and perhaps as a “safety valve” for the thermal regions on the mainland.

Opotiki’s climate is equal to the best in New Zealand.  The town is sheltered from the cold southerlies that are experienced in many other places.  It is an equable climate and the yearly hours of sunshine rate high in the New Zealand tables.  Light frosts are experienced in winter but brief periods of heavy rainfall can occur at any time. Neither humidity nor smog create any problem in the area.

Opotiki is the northern gateway to Eastland, the East Cape/Gisborne area and is also on the Pacific Coast Highway and all its attractions are within easy distance. These include: thermal areas with delightful hot pools, many rivers and lakes well stocked with fish, bush country with hunting for deer, wild pigs, goats and opossum and, of course, the beautiful Bay of Plenty – the Sportsman’s Paradise – with deep-sea fishing, boating, surfcasting, surfing and swimming.  Added to this is the peace and quiet which is so necessary for many city dwellers to relax their jangled nerves.  If you are looking for city excitement – this is not the place for you!

Opotiki is part of Tourism Eastland, an organisation whose aims are to encourage visitors to the Eastland region (Opotiki, Gisborne and Wairoa).  Opotiki is involved with Tourism Bay of Plenty to effectively co-ordinate tourism initiatives in our area.

The Opotiki & District 10,000 Club Inc. in its efforts to promote and inform visitors about the Opotiki District, has been joined by the The Opotiki Visitor Information Centre in the Department of Conservation Field Centre building on the corner of Elliott and St John St, which provides a one stop visitor shop. In King Street there is a health centre that provides 24 hour emergency care.

Opotiki has excellent kindergartens, playcentres, primary schools and a co-educational college. All sports and cultural activities are well catered for. This year Opotiki will again host the B.O.P Opotiki Annual Rodeo, The Motu Challenge Multisport Triathalon, the Fibre and Fleece Fashion Show, Silent Film Festival and the Big Three Hunting Bonanza. The Fishing Clubs run competitions throughout the year. See the Opotiki Events Diary for details.

Agriculture

The mild climate, coupled with plenty of sunshine, helps in the production of good crops of maize, and drying plants and silos have been erected.  Dairying, deer, sheep and dry-stock farming are all important aspects of the area’s development.  Dairying in the Opotiki and coast area produces in the region of 80 million litres of milk annually from 110 farms with approximately
22,000 cows.

Horticulture

Horticulture is well established as major industry in the district. The major crop grown is kiwifruit with around four million trays grown each year. Other crops grown include avocados, passionfruit, tamarillos, citrus, feijoas, nuts, and pip and stone fruit. The soils and growing climate are ideal for a wide range of crops. The fruitgrowing industry is serviced by three packhouse coolstore complexes which together employ over 1000 people during the main harvest and packing season.

Forestry

Within the Opotiki region there are approximately 16,000 hectares planted in exotic production forest. These forests provide employment for the local people and are a valuable timber resource for the future. Harvesting of some of the larger forests commenced about the turn of the century and already there are logging trucks on the region’s roads transporting logs from further east.

Aquaculture

There is huge potential for Aquaculture in the Opotiki coastal region. Plans are underway for New Zealand’s largest mussel farm, 6kms off shore from the town, with Opotiki to act as the service centre. This will include opening the river bar, developing the wharf area & setting up a processing factory providing local employment.

More information on the Opotiki Harbour Project website