Ōkato

This article is about the township in New Zealand. For the Russian classification document, see OKATO.

Ōkato
Hempton Hall in Ōkato in 1968
Hempton Hall in Ōkato in 1968
Map
Interactive map of Ōkato
Coordinates: 39°12′S 173°53′E / 39.200°S 173.883°E / -39.200; 173.883
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki Region
Territorial authorityNew Plymouth District
Ward
  • Kaitake-Ngāmotu General Ward
  • Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori Ward
CommunityKaitake Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityNew Plymouth District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
 • Mayor of New PlymouthMax Brough[3]
 • New Plymouth MPDavid MacLeod[4]
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer[5]
Area
[1]
 • Total
1.02 km2 (0.39 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)[2]
 • Total
720
 • Density710/km2 (1,800/sq mi)

Ōkato is a small town in rural Taranaki, New Zealand. It is situated about 25 minutes drive around the coast from New Plymouth on State Highway 45. Ōakura is 12 km to the north-east, and Warea is 9 km to the south-west.[6][7] The place offers popular rocky surfing spots around coastal beaches. The town was established as a military settlement in the 1860s.[8]

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of Kato" for Ōkato.[9] While "Kato" was probably a personal name, an alternative translation is "place of full tide/tsunami".[10] In July 2020, the name of the locality was officially gazetted as Ōkato by the New Zealand Geographic Board.[11]

Ōkato has all the elements of a New Zealand rural community with sporting facilities (rugby grounds, bowling club, squash courts, tennis courts and swimming pool), Coastal Taranaki School, a police station, and a volunteer fire brigade.

Ōkato was also notable as the home of Okato Cheese which was manufactured by the Okato Co-operative Dairy Company. This manufacturing site closed some years after merging with Egmont Co-operative Dairy. Activities in the Ōkato area include the Stony River walkway, which has a number of locations for photographing Mt Taranaki.

The rural community of Puniho is located just south of Ōkato.

Demographics

Ōkato is described by Stats NZ as a rural settlement which covers 1.02 km2 (0.39 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 720 as of June 2025,[2] with a population density of 706 people per km2. Ōkato is part of the larger Kaitake statistical area.[12]

Historical population for Ōkato
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006531—    
2013561+0.79%
2018606+1.56%
2023711+3.25%
Source: [13][14]
Boarded up store in Ōkato

Ōkato had a population of 711 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 105 people (17.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 150 people (26.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 342 males, 366 females, and 3 people of other genders in 258 dwellings.[15] 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 192 people (27.0%) aged under 15 years, 99 (13.9%) aged 15 to 29, 333 (46.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 87 (12.2%) aged 65 or older.[13]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 87.8% European (Pākehā); 24.1% Māori; 1.3% Pasifika; 1.3% Asian; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.2%, Māori by 5.9%, and other languages by 4.2%. No language could be spoken by 3.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[13]

Religious affiliations were 19.0% Christian, 1.3% Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% New Age, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 67.5%, and 11.0% of people did not answer the census question.[13]

Of those at least 15 years old, 123 (23.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 282 (54.3%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 117 (22.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 30 people (5.8%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 246 (47.4%) full-time, 87 (16.8%) part-time, and 21 (4.0%) unemployed.[13]

Kaitake statistical area

Kaitake statistical area covers 170.29 km2 (65.75 sq mi)[16] and had an estimated population of 2,300 as of June 2025,[17] with a population density of 14 people per km2.

Historical population for Kaitake
YearPop.±% p.a.
20061,554—    
20131,632+0.70%
20181,932+3.43%
20232,232+2.93%
Source: [18][19]

Kaitake had a population of 2,232 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 300 people (15.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 600 people (36.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,086 males, 1,143 females, and 3 people of other genders in 780 dwellings.[20] 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 39.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 540 people (24.2%) aged under 15 years, 285 (12.8%) aged 15 to 29, 1,086 (48.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 318 (14.2%) aged 65 or older.[18]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.1% European (Pākehā); 15.3% Māori; 1.1% Pasifika; 1.5% Asian; 1.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.3%, Māori by 4.2%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 5.6%. No language could be spoken by 2.4% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.4%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.[18]

Religious affiliations were 24.3% Christian, 0.3% Hindu, 0.7% Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 1.1% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 63.7%, and 9.3% of people did not answer the census question.[18]

Of those at least 15 years old, 435 (25.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 948 (56.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 309 (18.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 198 people (11.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 831 (49.1%) full-time, 351 (20.7%) part-time, and 39 (2.3%) unemployed.[18]

Education

Coastal Taranaki School is a coeducational composite (years 1-13) school with a roll of 259 as of July 2025.[21][22] The school was formed in 2005 from the merger of Newall School, Okato Primary School, Okato College and Warea School. It was initially called Okato Area School but changed its name.[23]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Urban Rural 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Declaration of Results of Election and Poll" (PDF). New Plymouth District Council. 17 October 2025.
  4. ^ "New Plymouth - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 23 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Te Tai Hauāuru - Official Result". Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  6. ^ Peter Dowling, ed. (2004), Reed New Zealand Atlas, Reed Books, map 34, ISBN 0-7900-0952-8
  7. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005), The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand, Robbie Burton, map 84, ISBN 1-877333-20-4
  8. ^ Lambert, Ron (7 September 2016). "Taranaki Places - Cape Egmont - Ōkato". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  9. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Okato". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Notice of approved official geographic names" (PDF). New Zealand Gazette. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Urban Rural – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Ōkato (1306). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7017193–7017195.
  15. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Kaitake (216700). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Kaitake (216700). 2018 Census place summary: Kaitake
  20. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  21. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Coastal Taranaki School - Education Counts". www.educationcounts.govt.nz.
  23. ^ "Mergers, Closures and New Schools, January 2005 - December 2005". Education Counts. Archived from the original (XLS) on 6 September 2019.
  24. ^ Porter, Matt (18 August 2017). "Kendra Cocksedge: the Okato girl who became a giant of women's rugby". Stuff. Retrieved 15 December 2024..
  25. ^ Utiger, Taryn (2 January 2014). "Happiest at home with her treasures". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  26. ^ Keith, Leighton (29 December 2014). "Former Kiwi Gavin Hill home to share worldly wisdom". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 15 December 2024.

Further reading

General historical works

  • History and reminiscences of Okato: Okato 100, 1865-1965, Okato, [N.Z.] ; New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Okato Centennial Committee ; Taranaki Newspapers, 1965
  • Kahui-Newall School and districts, 75th jubilee, n.p.: Newall-Kahui Jubilee Committee, 1982
  • Hickford, Lawrence D. (1978), The land I have lived in and Okato as I knew it: reflections and recollections, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Taranaki County Council ; Taranaki Newspapers
  • Rye, K.J. (1990), Okato jubilee: 125 years, 1865-1990, Okato, [N.Z.]: Okato 125th Jubilee Committee
  • Skinner, W. H. (1935), History and reminiscences of the Okato district written by W.H. Skinner, W.K. Howitt and residents of the district and republished from the "Taranaki Herald" on the occasion of the septuagenary celebrations and re-union, 1865-1935, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Taranaki Herald

Arts and literature

  • Virtual TART: art from Taranaki, New Zealand (CD-ROM), Okato, [N.Z.]: Puniho Art Press, 2000

Business history

  • Okato and Puniho Co-operative Dairy Factory Company (1955), Golden jubilee, 1905-1955, New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: McLeod and Slade

Churches

Anglican

  • The centenary of St Paul's Church, Okato, 1897-1997 and Okato Methodist Church (St Luke's), 1898-1998, Okato, [N.Z.]: Okato Co-operating Parish, 1997, ISBN 0-473-04613-X
  • Clemance, H.J. (1972), Saint Paul's, Okato: seventy-fifth jubilee of the parochial district, Okato, [N.Z.]: St. Paul's Anglican Parish

Methodist

  • The centenary of St Paul's Church, Okato, 1897-1997 and Okato Methodist Church (St Luke's), 1898-1998, Okato, [N.Z.]: Okato Co-operating Parish, 1997, ISBN 0-473-04613-X

Māori

  • Prickett, Nigel (1983), Maori fortifications of the Okato District, Taranaki, Auckland, [N.Z.]: Auckland Institute and Museum
  • Smith, Lee; Benton, Richard (1982), The Maori language in New Plymouth and Okato / Purongorongo whakamohio ma nga kaiuru ki te toronga tuatahi, 1973-1978 [Information bulletin (Survey of Language Use in Maori Households and Communities) ; 7], Wellington, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Council for Educational Research

New Zealand wars

People

  • The diaries of the local farmer Alexander Cassie are held at "Puke Ariki". Access to them is restricted, but they contain childhood reminiscences and incidents from the 1910s. See "Cassie, Alexander, 1900- (B873)". Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  • The papers of the local historian and farmer Marc Voullaire are held at "Puke Ariki".. This collection contains research carried out on the Taranaki dairy industry, the missionary station of Johann Riemenschneider (and other matters), and can be seen at "Voullaire, Marc Frederic, 1885-1964 (B900)". Retrieved 11 January 2008.

Schools

  • Kahui-Newall School and districts, 75th jubilee, n.p.: Newall-Kahui Jubilee Committee, 1982
  • Okato District High School and College, 1950-2000: 50th anniversary, Christchurch, [N.Z.]: Legacy Books, 2000
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okato