Waiotahe
Waiotahe or Waiotahi is a beach, settlement and rural community in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island, based at the Waiotahe River.
It includes a beach which attracts swimmers, surfers and anglers during the summer months, and river mouths that people fish from year-round. The beach is more dangerous during low tide due to stronger rips, but has natural hazards in all conditions.[1]
Opotiki District Council has banned vehicles from the mudflats of the Waiotahe estuary and a section of Waitoahe Beach.[2] The council allows vehicles at other beaches, unlike most other New Zealand councils.[3]
The town's official name reverted from Waiotahi back to the original Māori name Waiotahe in August 2015, following a decision by Land Information Minister Louise Upston, upheld by the New Zealand Geographic Board.[4]
History
In July 2013, a couple in their 60s were attacked and held captive Waiotahi home by a farmer soldier who had spent the previous night sleeping rough near the town hall.[5] The perpetrator fled the scene in their ute and was shot dead by police in Auckland.[6] The couple were hospitalised for injuries to their hands and reported being traumatised by their ordeal.[7]
The first case of Mycoplasma bovis in Bay of Plenty was recorded in a farm in Waiotahe in January 2020.[8]
Education
Waiotahe Valley School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[9] with a roll of 100 as of February 2024.[10]
Kayaker Lisa Carrington was raised in the valley and went to the local school, where both of her parents are teachers. She regularly visits the area.[11]
References
- ^ "Waiotahi Beach". finabeach.co.nz. Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
- ^ Staff reporter (26 December 2019). "Stick to the rules if driving on the beach". Sun Media. Sun Live.
- ^ Hutt, Kendall (8 January 2020). "Explainer: Where can you drive your car on the beach?". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ Gullier, Aimee (28 August 2015). "'Waiotahi' corrected to 'Waiotahe'". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ Wall, Tony (14 July 2013). "Captive offered to help shootout victim". stuff.co.nz. Sunday Star Times.
- ^ Kirk, Stacey (8 July 2013). "Police shoot ex-soldier dead after chase". stuff.co.nz.
- ^ Kidd, Rob (9 July 2013). "Rampaging ex-soldier 'didn't kill himself'". stuff.co.nz. Nelson Mail.
- ^ Staff reporter (24 January 2020). "First case of Mycoplasma bovis confirmed in the Bay of Plenty". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Rotorua Daily Post.
- ^ "Waiotahe Valley School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
- ^ "Waiotahe Valley School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
- ^ Staff reporter (28 November 2019). "Lisa Carrington cherishing time in hometown ahead of massive year on the water". Television New Zealand. 1 News.