Otautau
Otautau | |
---|---|
NZST) | |
Postal code | 9610 (rural: 9682 9683 9689) [3] |
Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Otautau is a small farming, forestry and milling town located inland on the western edge of the Southland Plains of New Zealand on the banks of the Aparima River.[4] Otautau is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north west of Invercargill. The average elevation of Otautau is 60 metres.[5]
Otautau is also known as "The Heart of Western Southland" as can be seen on the roadside sign photo below. Otautau township has one building registered with Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand.[6] This is the historic courthouse building in Main Street from 1908, which currently houses the district's small museum and some archives from local institutions and businesses.[7]
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of [an] ear pendant" for the name Ōtautau.[8]
Early history
There have been claims made in some modern day publications, that Otautau was founded after the discovery of
The most accurate representation of the early Otautau area found to date, is from the book on Scotts Gap (just outside of Otautau, named after early run-holder, Matthew Scott): "Before the 1870s Otautau had very little settlement, being only an overnight camping stop for drovers and their wagons, quenching their thirst before fording the stream the next day to continue the journey inland."[20] What can be proven without doubt, is that Otautau Township was not surveyed until March 1872, by E. Tanner, the resulting map being drawn by W.J. Percival in 1874.[21] Even in the 1867 map of Aparima Hundred, from which land Otautau was taken, there is a large blank space where Otautau would later be.[22] Giving further weight to the idea that the town may not have been founded in the 1860s as claimed, is the fact that the first general store in the township was not opened until 1876. This was owned by Robert Campbell, who was previously mining at Macetown.[23][24][25] In records held at Archives NZ, information shows that the first land sale in the township was not made until late 1872.
Although the locality was originally only a wagon stop on the way to the interior, a township later formed.[26] A very important factor in the growth of Otautau, came from the decision of the Wallace County Council, to move their office from Riverton to Otautau. This move was made official at the opening in March 1898 [27] and lasted nearly 100 years, until the amalgamation of county councils formed the new Southland District Council, in 1989.[28] Having the seat of administration for the County in Otautau meant many of its members moved there. The work created by and for the WCC (Wallace County Council), drew others to settle in the town with the promise of jobs. Between this and early agriculture which had originated with the Waste Land Leases in the area during the 1850s,[29] Otautau became the hub of farming and settlement for the whole Central Western Southland District. The railway having arrived in December 1879,[30] this added many advantages to both farmers and settlers.
Early businesses
One of the earliest businesses in town was the Otautau Hotel, (originally started in the old Accommodation House) which claims on its facade, to have been started in 1871.[31] However, it seems from land records and electoral rolls, to have only been owned by Thomas and Julianna Price from 1874. After a fire, the business moved to its still current site, on the Main Street in 1875.[32]
Other early businesses were blacksmiths, the earliest one on record is also that of Daniel Lynch's, built near to the above Otautau Hotel. This was advertised as being operational from Sept 1875.[33] Thomas Price himself built yet another Blacksmith's adjacent to his Otautau Hotel, advertised from July 1877.[34]
Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle
Otautau was home to the Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle from 1905 until publication ceased in 1946. The Otautau Standard was a weekly newspaper started by Frank Hyde. In 1906 Hyde sold the newspaper to John Fisher. The Fisher family remained in charge until its closure.[35]
Otautau war memorial
The Otautau war memorial is on Main Street, Otautau. It was opened by
Forestry
Soon after
Demographics
Otautau is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand. It covers 2.60 km2 (1.00 sq mi),[1] and had an estimated population of 770 as of June 2023,[2] with a population density of 296 people per km2. It is part of the much larger Otautau statistical area.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 753 | — |
2013 | 702 | −1.00% |
2018 | 753 | +1.41% |
Source: [37] |
Otautau had a population of 753 at the
Ethnicities were 90.8% European/Pākehā, 13.1% Māori, 0.4% Pasifika, 1.6% Asian, and 1.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 59.8% had no religion, 29.9% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu and 1.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 57 (9.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 207 (33.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 57 people (9.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 294 (48.0%) people were employed full-time, 81 (13.2%) were part-time, and 21 (3.4%) were unemployed.[37]
Otautau statistical area
Otautau statistical area covers 703.25 km2 (271.53 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,940 as of June 2023,[38] with a population density of 4.2 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 2,784 | — |
2013 | 2,793 | +0.05% |
2018 | 2,808 | +0.11% |
Source: [39] |
Otautau had a population of 2,808 at the
Ethnicities were 86.6% European/Pākehā, 11.1% Māori, 0.7% Pasifika, 6.9% Asian, and 3.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 13.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.3% had no religion, 37.3% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% were Hindu and 1.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 255 (11.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 558 (25.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 321 people (14.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,236 (57.4%) people were employed full-time, 351 (16.3%) were part-time, and 57 (2.6%) were unemployed.[39]
Education
Otautau School is a full primary school for years 1 to 8[40] with a roll of 149 as of February 2024.[41] The school first opened in 1880.[42]
Festivals
Over the years, there have been various events and festivals held in Otautau. The You 'n' Lamb Festival[43] was an annual event organised by the now closed Otautau Lions Club, which is no longer held.[44] Another annual event which was run for 8 years, was the Flowers, Quilts & Crafts Day, but this was sadly wound up in 2020.[45] The Otautau Car Show is another long-standing annual event that is still currently held in February of each year (Covid permitting) and details of the current year's event can be found here.[46]
References
- ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
- ^ "Suggest an Address".
- ^ Google Maps – Otautau.
- ^ "Mongabay – Population Profile (Otautau)".
- ^ "Otautau Courthouse (Former) | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Otautau Museum on NZ Museums". eHive. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- ^ a b A Case Study of OTAUTAU (June 1998) 25 November 2010.
- ^ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "9. – Southland places – Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "MANUAL OF THE OTAGO GOLD FIELDS, FOR THE USE OF NEW ARRIVALS". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "PROVINCE OF SOUTHLAND". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "SOUTHLAND AND THE DUNSTAN". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Obituary of Matthew Newsome". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "INVERCARGILL. LATER NEWS FEOM THE WAKATIP". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Shortest and Most Direct Route to the Lake Diggings". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "NEWS FROM THE SOUTH". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "SUMMARY". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- OCLC 35287268.
- OCLC 155863914.
- ^ "Plan of Otautau Township surveyed by E. Tanner, March 1872 ; drawn by W.J. Percival". ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "Crown Grant Map – Aparima Hundred". ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "PERSONAL. Death of Robert Campbell". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Obituary Robert Campbell". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Obituary Mrs Robert Campbell". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Otautau | NZHistory, New Zealand history online". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "Wallace County Council". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "Wallace County Council | The Community Archive". thecommunityarchive.org.nz. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "Waste Lands Act 1854 (18 Victoriae 1854 No 6)". www.nzlii.org. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "OPENING OF THE OTAUTAU RAILWAY". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ "Pub Western Southland – Otautau Hotel".
- ^ "DESTRUCTIVE FIRE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Daniel Lynch: BLACKSMITH & WHEELWRIGHT". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "NOTICE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ New Zealand National Library (Past Papers).
- ^ New Zealand History Online – Otautau war memorial.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7029252–7029258.
- ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Otautau (358400). 2018 Census place summary: Otautau
- ^ Education Counts: Otautau School
- ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Otautau School". Invercargill Archives. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
- ^ "You 'n' Lamb Festival at Otautau". The Southland Times. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ Meat Trade News Daily Printed 21/11/2010.
- ^ "Otautau flowers quilts crafts day cancelled". Stuff. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "Otautau Car Show". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
External links
Further reading
- Bye, K. 1988. Trial By Fire, Trial By Water. History of Otautau. Otautau [N.Z.] : Published by the Centennial Book Committee on behalf of the Otautau Community Council, c1988. ISBN 0-473-00649-9(hbk.)
- The Cyclopedia of New Zealand.