# Otama Beach

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Beach and settlement in New Zealand

Place in Waikato, New Zealand

Otama Beach Otama Beach Interactive map of Otama Beach Coordinates: 36°42′25″S 175°45′50″E / 36.707°S 175.764°E / -36.707; 175.764 Country New Zealand Region Waikato District Thames-Coromandel District Ward Mercury Bay ward Community Board Mercury Bay Community Electorates Coromandel Hauraki-Waikato (Māori) Government • Council Thames-Coromandel District Council • Regional council Waikato Regional Council • Mayor of Thames-Coromandel Peter Revell[1] • Coromandel MP Scott Simpson[2] • Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke[3]

**Otama Beach** is a [beach](/source/Beach) and settlement on the northeast coast of the [Coromandel Peninsula](/source/Coromandel_Peninsula), [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand), 20 km north of [Whitianga](/source/Whitianga).[4]

The north-facing 2 km long white-sand beach is backed by a large protected natural dune system, separating it from the road and farm land beyond. Access is via Black Jack Road, starting from [State Highway 25](/source/State_Highway_25_(New_Zealand)) at [Kūaotunu](/source/K%C5%ABaotunu), which is sealed up to the start of Otama Beach. It continues as a gravel road further east towards Opito Bay.[5]

Otama Beach is almost completely undeveloped, with only a small number of houses, mostly holiday homes, dotted around the hills behind the eastern end of the beach. The white sand squeaks when walked on, and the beach is a very good swimming beach, occasionally with good conditions for surfing. The rolling dunes and the wetland nature reserve behind it are protected, containing delicate [flora](/source/Flora) such as the rare sand tussock *[Poa triodioides](/source/Poa_triodioides)* (syn. *Austrofestuca littoralis*), and nesting areas of the endangered [New Zealand dotterel](/source/New_Zealand_plover).[6]

## Demographics

Otama Beach is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 45.92 km2 (17.73 sq mi)[7] east of [State Highway 25](/source/State_Highway_25_(New_Zealand)), and includes [Opito Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opito_Bay&action=edit&redlink=1). The SA1 area is part of the larger [Mercury Bay North statistical area](/source/Te_Rerenga#Demographics).[8]

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical populations for Otama Beach and surrounds Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2013 111 — 2018 129 +3.05% 2023 159 +4.27% Source: [9]

Waves on the Otama Beach

The SA1 statistical area had a population of 159 in the [2023 New Zealand census](/source/2023_New_Zealand_census), an increase of 30 people (23.3%) since the [2018 census](/source/2018_New_Zealand_census), and an increase of 48 people (43.2%) since the [2013 census](/source/2013_New_Zealand_census). There were 87 males and 72 females in 75 dwellings.[10] 3.8% of people identified as [LGBTIQ+](/source/LGBTQ). The median age was 59.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 15 people (9.4%) aged under 15 years, 9 (5.7%) aged 15 to 29, 66 (41.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (41.5%) aged 65 or older.[9]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 98.1% [European](/source/European_New_Zealanders) ([Pākehā](/source/P%C4%81keh%C4%81)), 7.5% [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people), and 3.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 100.0%, and other languages by 7.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 24.5, compared with 28.8% nationally.[9]

The only religious affiliation given was 28.3% [Christian](/source/Christianity_in_New_Zealand). People who answered that they had [no religion](/source/Irreligion_in_New_Zealand) were 64.2%, and 7.5% of people did not answer the census question.[9]

Of those at least 15 years old, 42 (29.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 81 (56.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 27 (18.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $25,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 18 people (12.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 39 (27.1%) people were employed full-time, 33 (22.9%) were part-time, and 3 (2.1%) were unemployed.[9]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Declaration of Results of Election and Poll"](https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/our-council/public-notices/governance-pn/thames-coromandel-district-council-declaration-notice-tcdc.pdf) (PDF), *www.tcdc.govt.nz*, Thames-Coromandel District Council, 17 October 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Coromandel - Official Result"](https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-07.html). [Electoral Commission](/source/Electoral_Commission_(New_Zealand)). Retrieved 27 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Hauraki-Waikato – Official Result"](https://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/electorate-details-66.html). New Zealand Electoral Commission. Retrieved 27 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Harriss, Gavin (October 2024). [*Otama Beach, Waikato*](https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz9036/Otama-Beach/Waikato) (Map). NZ Topo Map.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Otama"](https://allaboutwhitianga.co.nz/visitor-information/explore/otama). All About Whitianga. Retrieved 22 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Waikato Conservation Management Strategies Appendix 1, page 188"](http://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/about-doc/role/policies-and-plans/waikato%20cms/appendicies1-2.pdf), Department of Conservation

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Area_7-0)** ["Stats NZ Geographic Data Service"](https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/). Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 22 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [2018 Census place summary: Mercury Bay North](https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-place-summaries/mercury-bay-north)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Census_2023_9-4) ["Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_012&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7032347.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to%5bTIME%5d=false&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly%5bcl%5d=CEN23_YEAR_001). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7032347. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses"](https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs%5b0%5d=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df%5bds%5d=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df%5bid%5d=CEN23_TBT_009&df%5bag%5d=STATSNZ&df%5bvs%5d=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7032347.2023&ly%5brw%5d=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003). Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.

v t e Thames-Coromandel District, New Zealand Seat: Thames Populated places Coromandel-Colville Ward Cape Colville Colville Coromandel Kennedy Bay Manaia Motutakapu Mercury Bay Ward Cooks Beach Coroglen Hahei Hot Water Beach Kūaotunu Matarangi New Chums Beach Otama Beach Rings Beach Te Rerenga Whangapoua Whenuakite Whitianga Thames Ward Hikutaia Kauaeranga Valley Kopu Matatoki Ngarimu Bay Puriri Tapu Te Mata Te Puru Thames Thornton Bay Waiomu South West Ward Whangamatā C.B. Onemana Opoutere Whangamata Tairua-Pauanui C.B. Hikuai Pauanui Tairua Islands Aldermen Islands Castle Island Mahurangi Island / Goat Island Mercury Islands Motueka Island / Pigeon Island Motukawao Islands Poikeke Island Slipper Island Whanganui Island Geographic features Cape Colville Castle Rock Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-A-Hei Colville Channel Firth of Thames Hauraki Gulf Kauaeranga Valley Mercury Bay Moehau Range Thames Valley Whangapoua Harbour Facilities and attractions Coromandel Forest Park Driving Creek Railway Hauraki Rail Trail Kopu Bridge Pauanui Aerodrome Siamese Kauri Square Kauri Thames Aerodrome Thames railway station Thames School of Mines Whangamata Beach Hop Whitianga Aerodrome Whitianga Festival of Speed Government District Council Mayor Regional Council Organisations The Mercury Bay Informer Ngāti Rongoū Thames High School

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Otama Beach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otama_Beach) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otama_Beach?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.