{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox settlement | name= Omakau | type = Rural settlement | image_skyline = Omakau Bank Of New Zealand Building.jpg | image_caption = Former Bank of New Zealand building | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | coordinates = {{coord|45|07|S|169|36|E|region:NZ_type:city|display=inline,title}} | map_caption = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Otago]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Central Otago District]] | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = Vincent Ward | subdivision_type4 = Community | subdivision_name4 = Vincent Community | seat_type = Electorates | seat = {{ubl|[[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki]]|[[Te Tai Tonga]] (Māori)}} | leader_title = {{nowrap|Territorial authority}} | leader_name = [[Central Otago District Council]] | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = [[Otago Regional Council]] | leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Central Otago]] | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|Central Otago District Mayor|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Waitaki (New Zealand electorate)|Waitaki MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Waitaki MP|y}} | leader_title4 = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]] | leader_name4 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}} | population_as_of = {{NZ population data 2018|||y}} | population_footnotes = {{NZ population data 2018||||y}} | population_note = | population_total = {{NZ population data 2018|Omakau|y}} | population_density_km2 = auto | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 21.47 | timezone1 = NZST | utc_offset1 = +12 | timezone1_DST = NZDT | utc_offset1_DST = +13 | blank_name = Local [[iwi]] | blank_info = [[Ngāi Tahu]] }} '''Omakau''' (sometimes spelled '''Ōmakau''') is a settlement in [[Central Otago]], New Zealand, located between [[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]] and [[Ranfurly, New Zealand|Ranfurly]] on the northwest bank of the [[Manuherikia River]]. The smaller settlement of [[Ophir, New Zealand|Ophir]] is located on the opposite bank, three kilometres to the southeast.
Ōmakau is the Māori name for a nearby hill, Blackstone Hill and it is also the Māori name for Idaburn. Omakau has since been applied to the wider region and the settlement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ōmakau - Cultral Atlas |url=https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas/ |access-date=2024-12-03}}</ref> The New Zealand [[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] gives a translation of "belonging to husband and wife" for ''Ōmakau''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/1000-maori-place-names|title=1000 Māori place names|publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage|date=6 August 2019}}</ref>
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 [[New Zealand State Highway 85|State Highway 85]] and the [[Otago Rail Trail]].<ref name="railtrail">{{cite web |title=Omakau |url=http://www.visit-centralotago.co.nz/html/omakau_central_otago.html |website=visit-centralotago.co.nz |publisher=Central Otago Tourism}}</ref>
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.<ref name="historics">{{cite web |title=Omakau in Central Otago |url=http://www.centralotagonz.com/Central-Otago/Omakau_IDL=24_IDT=294_ID=1595_.html |website=centralotagonz.com |publisher=Central Otago Tourism}}</ref>
==Demographics== Omakau is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand. The urban area of Omakau (between Alton and Harvey streets) covers {{Convert|0.38|km2||abbr=on}} and had a population of 141 in the [[2018 New Zealand census]]. The Statistics New Zealand description relates to a larger area including [[Ophir, New Zealand|Ophir]] which covers {{Convert|21.47|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787 |access-date=4 December 2021 |website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> This larger area had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2018|Omakau|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Omakau|y}}|R}}/21.47|0}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. It is part of the much larger Manuherikia-Ida Valleys statistical area.
{{Historical populations|2006|297|2013|297|2018|336|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Omakau and surrounds|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}} Omakau and its surrounds had a population of 336 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 39 people (13.1%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 39 people (13.1%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 138 households, comprising 171 males and 165 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female, with 57 people (17.0%) aged under 15 years, 33 (9.8%) aged 15 to 29, 147 (43.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 99 (29.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.1% European/[[Pākehā]], 8.9% [[Māori people|Māori]], 0.9% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 2.7% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 0.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.4% had no religion, 47.3% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.9% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]] and 0.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (10.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 72 (25.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 24 people (8.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 132 (47.3%) people were employed full-time, 69 (24.7%) were part-time, and 3 (1.1%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7027805 and 7027807}}</ref>
===Manuherikia-Ida Valleys=== The Manuherikia-Ida Valleys statistical area includes Omakau and covers {{Convert|2511.47|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area"/> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Manuherikia-Ida Valleys|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Manuherikia-Ida Valleys|y}}|R}}/2511.47|2}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.
{{Historical populations|2006|960|2013|1,020|2018|1,119|percentages=pagr|align=left|title=Historical population for Manuherikia-Ida Valleys|source=<ref name="Census 2018 MI"/>}} Manuherikia-Ida Valleys had a population of 1,119 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 99 people (9.7%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 159 people (16.6%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 441 households, comprising 594 males and 519 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.14 males per female. The median age was 43.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 219 people (19.6%) aged under 15 years, 132 (11.8%) aged 15 to 29, 564 (50.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 204 (18.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.3% European/[[Pākehā]], 8.0% [[Māori people|Māori]], 0.5% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 1.6% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 10.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.7% had no religion, 37.3% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 0.3% were [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.3% were [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]] and 0.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 162 (18.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 171 (19.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 90 people (10.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 519 (57.7%) people were employed full-time, 180 (20.0%) were part-time, and 9 (1.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018 MI">{{NZ census 2018|Manuherikia-Ida Valleys (345100)|manuherikia-ida-valleys|Manuherikia-Ida Valleys}}</ref>
==Education==
Omakau School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,<ref name="official3788">{{cite web |title=Omakau School Official School Website |url=http://www.omakau.school.nz |website=omakau.school.nz}}</ref><ref name="moe3788">{{cite web |title=Omakau School Ministry of Education School Profile |url=https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/school/profile?school=3788 |website=educationcounts.govt.nz |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (New Zealand)|Ministry of Education]]}}</ref> with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|3788|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|}}.<ref name="ero3788">{{cite web |title=Omakau School Education Review Office Report |url=https://www.ero.govt.nz/institution/3788/omakau-school |website=ero.govt.nz |publisher=[[Education Review Office]] |access-date=2 January 2026}}</ref> The school opened in 1935, and is the only remaining one of 13 schools which at one point served the Manuherikia Valley area.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/reunion-honours-schools |title=Reunion honours schools |date=25 January 2010 |newspaper=[[Otago Daily Times]] |first=Lynda |last=van Kempen}}</ref>
==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Ophir, elevation {{convert|305|m|ft|abbr=on}}, 1.5km SE of Omakau, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1924–present) | Jan record high C = 35.2 | Feb record high C = 35.1 | Mar record high C = 31.6 | Apr record high C = 26.8 | May record high C = 24.5 | Jun record high C = 20.3 | Jul record high C = 18.0 | Aug record high C = 22.3 | Sep record high C = 25.4 | Oct record high C = 27.7 | Nov record high C = 31.0 | Dec record high C = 34.4 | year record high C = 35.2 | Jan avg record high C = 30.6 | Feb avg record high C = 30.1 | Mar avg record high C = 27.7 | Apr avg record high C = 23.3 | May avg record high C = 19.8 | Jun avg record high C = 16.2 | Jul avg record high C = 15.3 | Aug avg record high C = 17.4 | Sep avg record high C = 20.7 | Oct avg record high C = 23.9 | Nov avg record high C = 26.4 | Dec avg record high C = 28.8 | year avg record high C = 31.8 |Jan high C = 23.6 |Feb high C = 23.5 |Mar high C = 21.0 |Apr high C = 16.8 |May high C = 12.8 |Jun high C = 8.5 |Jul high C = 8.1 |Aug high C = 11.4 |Sep high C = 14.8 |Oct high C = 17.1 |Nov high C = 19.3 |Dec high C = 21.8 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 15.8 |Feb mean C = 15.4 |Mar mean C = 12.9 |Apr mean C = 9.2 |May mean C = 6.2 |Jun mean C = 2.8 |Jul mean C = 2.1 |Aug mean C = 4.6 |Sep mean C = 7.5 |Oct mean C = 9.7 |Nov mean C = 11.8 |Dec mean C = 14.4 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 8.1 |Feb low C = 7.4 |Mar low C = 4.8 |Apr low C = 1.7 |May low C = -0.3 |Jun low C = -2.9 |Jul low C = -3.8 |Aug low C = -2.2 |Sep low C = 0.2 |Oct low C = 2.2 |Nov low C = 4.3 |Dec low C = 7.1 | year low C = | Jan avg record low C = 0.4 | Feb avg record low C = 0.4 | Mar avg record low C = -2.1 | Apr avg record low C = -5.0 | May avg record low C = -6.9 | Jun avg record low C = -8.7 | Jul avg record low C = -9.0 | Aug avg record low C = -7.6 | Sep avg record low C = -5.9 | Oct avg record low C = -4.4 | Nov avg record low C = -2.7 | Dec avg record low C = 0.0 | year avg record low C = -9.8 |Jan record low C = -2.6 |Feb record low C = -2.1 |Mar record low C = -5.6 |Apr record low C = -8.0 |May record low C = -14.5 |Jun record low C = -16.5 |Jul record low C = -21.6 |Aug record low C = -12.8 |Sep record low C = -10.6 |Oct record low C = -6.9 |Nov record low C = -5.7 |Dec record low C = -4.1 |year record low C = -21.6 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 47.8 |Feb rain mm = 42.3 |Mar rain mm = 32.7 |Apr rain mm = 35.7 |May rain mm = 37.8 |Jun rain mm = 33.7 |Jul rain mm = 19.1 |Aug rain mm = 17.5 |Sep rain mm = 21.1 |Oct rain mm = 36.1 |Nov rain mm = 41.4 |Dec rain mm = 48.5 |year rain mm = |source 1 = NIWA<ref>{{cite web |url = https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/ |title = CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 5544) |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 20 Jul 2024}}</ref> }}
== References == {{Commons category inline|Omakau}} {{reflist}}
{{Central Otago}}
[[Category:Populated places in Otago]] [[Category:Central Otago District]]