Otatara

Otatara
Suburb
Map
Coordinates: 46°25′54″S 168°17′43″E / 46.4318°S 168.2953°E / -46.4318; 168.2953
CountryNew Zealand
RegionSouthland region
Territorial authorityInvercargill
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authoritySouthland District Council
 • Regional councilSouthland Regional Council
 • Mayor of SouthlandRob Scott
 • Invercargill MPPenny Simmonds
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total19.95 km2 (7.70 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total3,390
 • Density170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Otatara is an outer suburb of New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill. It is surrounded by the Ōreti River to the west and south, and its estuary and Invercargill Airport to the east, and West Plains to the north. Historically, it was in Southland County before it was abolished.

The main thoroughfare in Otatara is Dunns Road, which continues westward across the Ōreti River bridge to road's end at Oreti Beach, towards Invercargill it becomes Stead Street at the old city/county boundary, passing between the estuary and the airport before crossing the Waihopai River bridge into the city proper.

There are several local bush walks through tōtara forests, and numerous recreational facilities in the area including MTB tracks, rowing, speed boating, two golf courses and the nearby Oreti Beach.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of loosening" for Ōtātara.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.