Omakau

Omakau
Rural settlement
Former Bank of New Zealand building
Former Bank of New Zealand building
Map
Coordinates: 45°07′S 169°36′E / 45.117°S 169.600°E / -45.117; 169.600
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityCentral Otago District
WardVincent Ward
CommunityVincent Community
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityCentral Otago District Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
 • Mayor of Central OtagoTamah Alley
 • Waitaki MPMiles Anderson
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total
21.47 km2 (8.29 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
420
 • Density20/km2 (51/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Omakau is a settlement in Central Otago, New Zealand, located between Alexandra and Ranfurly on the northwest bank of the Manuherikia River. The smaller settlement of Ophir, New Zealand is located on the opposite bank, three kilometres to the southeast.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "belonging to husband and wife" for Ōmakau.[3]

Omakau grew when the Otago Central Railway was opened in 1904. Today Omakau has a population of about 250, and is a stopover on both State Highway 85 and the Otago Rail Trail.[4]

Omakau is the site of many historic buildings, including the local hotel built in 1898 and the Catholic Church. Omakau also hosts the Central Otago A&P Show at the local domain, which attracts people from all over the country in February.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Omakau". visit-centralotago.co.nz. Central Otago Tourism.
  5. ^ "Omakau in Central Otago". centralotagonz.com. Central Otago Tourism.