Omaio

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

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

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

Ōmāio Marae and Rongomaihuatahi meeting house is a meeting place for the hapū of Te Whānau a Nuku.[5] In October 2020, the Government committed $1,646,820 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and five others, creating 10 jobs.[6]

Ōtūwhare Marae mand Te Poho o Rūtāia meeting house belongs to the hapū of Te Whānau a Rutaia.[7][5]

Whitianga Marae and Tūtawake meeting house belongs to the hapū of Te Whānau a Tutawake.[7][5]

Education

Te Kura o Te Whanau-a-Apanui is a co-educational Māori language immersion state area school for Year 1 to 13 students, with a roll of 93 as of March 2020.[8] It was established in January 2016, through the merger of Raukokore School, Te Kura o Omaio and Te Whanau-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
  1. 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. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  6. "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.
  7. "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.

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