The Otorohanga District Development Board
PO Box 152
Otorohanga 3940
Phone/Fax: 07 873 6132

A council-funded Economic Development Agency that:

• Promotes and supports activities or services that will stimulate the economy of the Otorohanga District
• Markets the Otorohanga District as a great place in which to live, invest, do business or visit as a tourist
• Operates the Otorohanga i-SITE and Kawhia Information Centre
• Helps facilitate projects for the benefit of the District.

We can help you with:

• Business establishment and advice
• Finding investment opportunities
• District information
• Tourism promotion
• A subsidy to advertise your new business in the Otorohanga District.
  > Click here to download an application form

Board members are local business people actively promoting the Otorohanga District as a wonderful lifestyle choice.

A significant Board project has been the establishment of the Trade Training Centre. The Trade Training Centre has achieved New Zealand-wide recognition in improving youth achievement and employment in the community.

The Board has:

• Assisted with the funding and set up of the Trade Training Centre
• Hired an Apprentice Coordinator to help apprentices achieve at higher levels and find employment
• Purchased and holds in trust all tools and equipment used by Wintec, the principal trainer
• Commissioned a report for the further development of Apprentice Support with Ministry of Social Development assistance.

These people have chosen to live in the Otorohanga District -
read their stories...

An Australian in Otorohanga

"Australians cannot say Otorohanga without mangling it. I should know I am one... an Australian that is. It took me about two weeks of practice, to get it right. In fact I got it so right a born and bred "Otorohangan" suggested I tone down the pronunciation as nobody speaks like that. Find the middle ground.

Well apparently I have, found the middle ground. That being somewhere near the middle of the North Island not far from the beach but nearly as far inland as you can get, all this is happening in the one place. What a country! I don't think we are in Melbourne anymore Bozo, err Tonto, um Toto.

Geographically Otorohanga sits on the large Northern Island of New Zealand. A country made up of two or three islands at least, these are sitting at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, containing quirky people who speak very rapidly and occasionally replace words with a quick, almost imperceptible raise of the eyebrows. I have tried this, but end up looking like I have been shot by a taser, afraid that this might be a permanent look I have given up and smile constantly to compensate. Children have recently started avoiding me. Go figure?

I started working at the Otorohanga Kiwi House in June 2009. Irony somehow decided to come to Otorohanga with me. Verdant greenery, no article about New Zealand is complete without the word verdant, and lots of water, more rain in one weekend than we had in two years in Oz.

I thought the NZ Customs service might have taken pity on me and decided to irradiate for irony in the arrivals hall. But no! "Straight through the green zone Sir, ooops don't forget your dose of irony". .....Dust storms sweeping across the western plains of Victoria were a departing image for me floating serenely out across the Tasman in a manic drought created westerly. Everything seemed New Zealand bound, for some Aussie farmers I know; there were only two first class passengers; top soil and hope! Never mind?

Before I came to be at the Otorohanga Kiwi House I worked at Melbourne Zoo where I held the stately title of, Curator, Pachyderms, Pinnipeds and Aves. And no, that is not a collection of exotic rashes, but the high brow (read Latin) name for Elephants; yep the big grey, occasionally grumpy, eating machines and Marine Mammals which I suppose technically could also include humans who are also mammals. But for the purposes of this case includes only Seals. Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals are different species, you can tell by the way the Kiwi fur seal can raise and lower his eyebrows almost imperceptibly, if you know what I mean.

And Aves of course refers to birds, a lot of the Australian ones stick to type and are loud and demonstrative. I love New Zealand birds they are altogether more reserved, like little secrets flitting about the verdant bush. Hearing one whisper welcome to my house is a very special welcome indeed. Whereas the Australian birds scream at full volume I AM HOT, I AM DUSTY AND THE COUNTRY IS ON FIRE over and over again. Since I have been in New Zealand I have never slept so well, waking refreshed and peaceful like a tranquillity bath invigorating and gentle. In contrast waking to the Bird sounds of Oz can send you reeling out of bed into the wall and out the front door. Glorious as nature intended, naked as the day you were born to rant at the noisy critters. This is called Australo-insanity and affects many visitors and residents. Yes the nudity bit can be very funny at times but let me tell you the lows far outweigh the highs. A tranquillity dust bath, nude ranting on a prickly lawn! Apologies if I sound slightly bitter but you try being woken up every day by screams of I AM HOT, IAM DUSTY AND THE COUNTRY IS ON FIRE! Phewy!

For some blokes I know it is not only the birds that have taken up this mantra! Australian pillow talk ..., I AM HOT, I AM DUSTY AND THE COUNTRY IS ON FIRE! That's nice dear? New Zealand birds are phenomenal. Endemism is a word that scientists use to describe them. Endemism is not a fascination with "endings" as such but more to do with where things end up and stay. The groaning you can hear is a collective sigh expelled from scientific communities all over the world. I know, that is the worst definition of endemism ever but that's the point. New Zealand’s birds are unique, so then should the definition be. Found nowhere else on the planet. And that is why I am here! Get it... nowhere else on the planet. One small sentence for man one great big plus for Otorohanga and the Kiwi House. Say it again... nowhere else!

The people are also unique. You are bound to meet a farmer on your travels, when you stop to chat you may initially think that he doesn't want to talk with you. But you would be very wrong. Normal conversation patterns go to and fro, answer then enquire. The farmer though takes a little while to warm up while he assesses you. Long silences... don't be put off, he is sending a short brain e-mail back and forwards in his skull. The answer will come very shortly and it will be positive, you can see it in the slight twinkle of his eye and the quirky smile. He is actually quite excited to meet you. Surmises New Zealand for me really, that twinkle in the eye and the quirky smile accompanied by birds lilting welcomes. Otorohanga is a very special unpronounceable place.

So next time someone says to you that the journey is more important than the destination, raise your eyebrows slightly, twinkle your eyes and smile. If you manage to do all that and not look like a demented carnival clown tell them to be off to Otorohanga. It's the only destination, it is for this Aussie and could be yours too."

Paul Stuart-Higgs

"Otorohanga is a fantastic place to live, work, raise a family and retire to. Everything is so handy – mountains, lakes, beaches, cities, airports, trains; whatever interests you - it’s available within a very short distance from here.

I’ve found it’s the people who make the difference – Otorohanga people are warm, they’re friendly and genuinely interested in you.

It’s a very active place, there are all kinds of sports happening most days and it’s attractive and vibrant. The shops and cafes are amazing and people go out of their way to make you welcome.

I love it here and am very proud to call Otorohanga my home!”

Dale Williams
Mayor, Otorohanga District

"Lesleigh and I spent an afternoon here in Otorohanga soon after I had been appointed as the new principal of the town’s College. We walked the streets that day, chatted with people and drank coffee at a local shop.

We noted the laughter, the friendliness and the wonderful blend of heartland Aotearoa New Zealand walking by. After coffee, we were called by the two magnificent carved pou pou which stand tall and proud outside the library and read some of the history of this place. We noted the flowers hanging in baskets on both sides of the road from one end of the street to the other, the “Kiwiana” hanging from the street light posts and the clean green image this place has. Later that day, we drove round the town.

The large number of sporting and community facilities which dot this town became evident. Our first impressions were that it was an awesome community and town and so, within a few days we had made the decision to shift here to live. We have now been here a few months and are in no doubt that coming to live in Otorohanga with its friendly, caring and inclusive people was the best decision we could have made.

We love it here."

Timoti Harris
Principal
Otorohanga College

"My husband Sean and I had been looking for a number of years for a small community in need of our services, that we would be happy to call our own. After searching high and low a friend suggested we investigate Otorohanga.

We were so excited to discover that Otorohanga was a fabulous little community, with a big heart, full of character and characters. The people were really friendly and everyone commented on how happy they were.

We found Otorohanga had everything we needed - great eateries, a local pub, an excellent club, cute little boutiques and good quality amenities. Otorohanga also has an outstanding community, with heaps of space and a sense of peace and security you don’t get in the big city and handy to some outrageous local tourist attractions. Forty minutes drive from the major City of Hamilton, Otorohanga is central to just about everywhere.

We were sold! We have been here for 3 years. Sean set up his own business, ‘Sean the Barber’, and I run a successful practice as a massage therapist. We have never looked back. Otorohanga is a town on the move and we are excited to be a part of it. We highly recommend this town as a fantastic opportunity.

Hope to see you here!"

Sean & Nicola Lewis

"Our move to New Zealand was driven by a desire for a better lifestyle.

When we were looking at where in NZ we might like to live, there were a few important challenges that needed to be addressed by our eventual new home town. These encompassed several aspects of life including work, play, cost and location.

We wanted to live, work and play in a rural community, preferably a laid-back but thriving small town, but mostly a place that was typically Kiwi. No point in moving 12,000 miles to congregate with other ex-pats?!

Encouraged by the possibility of employment opportunities, we found Otorohanga an extremely friendly small town, with a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere. Everyone was very outgoing and it made us feel like we had been enveloped by an honest community, a place where we felt very comfortable and wanted to be part of.

Location was important to us - proximity to an International Airport as well as a good road / rail link to the rest of the country. In addition, Otorohanga has the added advantage of being a short drive to the 4th largest town in New Zealand (Hamilton).

Since moving to Otorohanga, our initial impression has been enhanced - it is apparent that many people are proud of the town and strive to uphold its character. A town, whose Mayor lives and socializes within it, will always maintain a strong sense of community spirit.

We thoroughly recommend Otorohanga as a place to set down roots, but keep it quiet, as we don't want the whole world to move here!"

(Duncan & Amanda Roobottom)

Board Members:

	Carolyn Christian (Transport company director) (Chairperson) Phone: 07 873 7937
	Andrew Giltrap (Businessman) (Deputy Chair) Phone: 07 873 4004
	Deborah Pilkington (District councillor, farmer) Phone: 07 871 0654
	Bob Strawbridge (Chartered Accountant) Phone: 07 873 7049
	Bev Moloney (Real estate agent, trust account operator) Phone: 07 873 7165
	Liz Cowan (Chairperson Otorohanga Community Board, tourism operator) Phone: 07 873 0849
	Anne Laws (Chairperson Otorohanga Business Association, Investment advisor) Phone: 07 873 7508
	Shane Carr (Investment advisor) Phone: 07 873 7508

To contact the Otorohanga District Development Board click here
OR
Phone/Fax: 07 873 6132 (All your details are kept strictly private)

The Otorohanga District Council
17 Maniapoto Street, PO Box 11, Otorohanga 3900
Phone: 08 873 8199 or Toll Free 0800 738 199

A proactive, progressive, well-managed rural council committed to the highest level of service for residents, ratepayers and visitors.

Business hours: Monday–Friday; 8am–5pm

The Otorohanga District Council operates three separate financial divisions. There are also two Community Boards representing the Otorohanga and Kawhia/Aotea communities.

For comprehensive information about the Otorohanga District Council and its services visit www.otodc.govt.nz

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