Ōkiwi is a small settlement and rural community at the head of the Whangapoua Estuary, in Whangapoua Bay, on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf.[1]
Facilities include Okiwi School, one of three schools on the island, all primary schools. Next to the school is Okiwi Park, with a public toilet, barbeque area, cycling trail and stream. The park has old tōtara and pūriri trees that were spared by farmers, alongside some new forest.[2] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a church building.[3] The Department of Conservation's base for Great Barrier Island was opened at Okiwi in 2016, replacing their office at Port Fitzroy, which was damaged by a cyclone on 10 June 2014 and cut off from the rest of the island for six weeks.[4]
The Okiwi Basin area is a basin of farmland that can be seen from Palmer's Track, a walking track that runs from Windy Canyon to Mount Hobson.[5] The fertile area is used for organic and small-scale growing,[6] including the Okiwi Passion market garden and shop.[7][8]
Okiwi Airfield, Whangapoua Beach and a camping ground are east of the settlement.[9][1]
History
Ngātiwai have traditionally lived in the area.[10]
Between 2015 and 2019, the Aotea / Great Barrier Island Local Board investigated establishing a cemetery at Ōkiwi or Claris, opting to establish it in Claris.[11]