Journals
Ōtaki historical journal
The Ōtaki Historical Journal records the stories of our district — its people, organisations, landscapes and community life. The primary area covered by the journals is the Otaki region. However, there are also articles about the rich history of the broader region, stretching from the mouth of the Rangītikei River in the north to Paekākariki in the south, and to the Tararua Range in the east.
Current historical journal
We at Ōtaki Heritage are proud to continue what the Otaki Historical Society started way back in 1978 – a great achievement! The past four decades have shown that readers enjoy our stories here, in other parts of Aotearoa too – and internationally.
Ōtaki historical journal
Volume 46: 2025
This year’s volume has two bilingual articles – a first for the journal. One outlines the history of the iwi revitalisation programme Whakatupuranga Rua Mano ǀ Generation 2000, and the other looks at the regeneration of the Mangapouri Stream. We also feature a well-known landscape designer, the stories of some community and sporting organisations, and we pay tribute to some of the people who have died recently.
The broad scope of topics covered by the historical journal has created a resource that is useful to current and former residents of the region, to local history researchers, as well as to students and family historians. The journal began in 1978 under the Ōtaki Historical Society and has grown into a major record of local heritage. In 2023, the Society amalgamated with the Ōtaki Heritage Bank Preservation Trust to form Ōtaki Heritage, which now continues the journal series under a single organisation.
Explore the complete index of articles from Volumes 1–46. The index is available in two downloadable PDFs, making it easy to search for people, places and stories across the entire series.
You can purchase the latest journal, order past volumes, or download PDF editions through our online shop. You can also buy our latest journal at our Ōtaki Heritage Museum, Ōtaki Post Shop and the Ōtaki Bookshop (all in the town area) and at Books & Co at Ōtaki Railway (Main Highway).
Exhibitions
Ōtaki Heritage presents exhibitions that explore local people, places, industries, and events. These displays draw on photographs, documents, artefacts, and stories from our collection.
Current exhibition
Mai i te Kāinga ki te Tāone Iti, Wāhanga 1: 1843–1920
From Kāinga to Village Part 1: 1843–1920
Our current exhibition tells the story of how Ōtaki began — the third in our series on the development of the town. Themes include early settlement, community life, land use, and the people who shaped Ōtaki’s early decades.
Past exhibitions
Our exhibitions have covered themes such as Ōtaki Beach, the Railway, the River, and the development of the town from 1843 to the present day. Each exhibition offers a window into a different part of Ōtaki’s history. For further information about any of these past exhibitions, please contact us.
Te Whakaaturanga o Te Tahamoana o Ōtaki
Ōtaki Beach
This exhibition featured the Ōtaki beach settlement: from pā to baches and seaside villas.
Te Wahi ara Tereina
The Railway
This exhibition told stories about the area of Ōtaki lying close to the Railway Station, and referred to by locals as “The Railway”.
Ko Ōtaki Te Awa, Ko Ōtaki Te Kainga
Ōtaki is the River, Ōtaki is the Home
The second part of the River exhibition featured more stories of the Ōtaki community’s relationship with the river.
Online Exhibits
Explore themed online galleries including Life at the Beach, Sport in Ōtaki, Music and Entertainment, Cottage Hospital, Sanatorium, Hotels, Market Gardening, and more.
Life at Ōtaki Beach
Over many years, Ōtaki residents and visitors have made full use of the beach and the nearby river and streams.
These photos capture some of their activities: recreation, public festivals and displays, surf lifesaving, gathering kai and p…
Sport in Otaki through the years
From rugby to bowls, motorbike riding to marching, sports of all sorts have always been an important part of life in Ōtaki….
Music and Entertainment
Ōtaki has produced more than its fair share of great musicians and bands. There have been marae and church-based choirs, brass bands, jazz bands, rock ‘n roll bands, and of course famous individuals such as Inia Te Wiata.
Over the years da…
Otaki Cottage Hospital
The Ōtaki Cottage Hospital (later the Ōtaki Maternity Hospital and then Ōtaki Community Health Centre) was opened in August 1899.
Cottage hospitals were small rural entities with up to 25 beds. Pressured by Ōtaki’s Dr James Mason,…
Otaki Sanatorium
The Ōtaki Sanatorium was opened in 1907, providing care for tubuculosis (TB) patients. Featuring wide verandas and balconies and large opening windows front and back, they enable exposure to the open air.
The buildings were renovated in 1926-27, a…
Otaki Hotels
Since the late 1800s, Ōtaki has been well served with hotels – despite the growing alcohol prohibition movement between 1880 and 1919.
Some of these pubs still operate today, while others have disappeared from the landscape (see als…
Market Gardening
Long before pakeha arrived in Ōtaki and Te Horo, Maori had mahinga kai where they grew kumara and wild spinach.
After the arrival of the first pakeha settlers, Maori began growing introduced vegetables to trade with them. Early in the 1880s Chines…
Otaki Beach Motor Camp: 1948 – 2006
Collection commissioned by the Ōtaki Historical Society prior to closing of the Camp.
Photographer Alan Knowles…
Photo Gallery
Relive the history of Ōtaki with this gallery, which is loaded with some of the hundreds of historical images in the society’s collection. Take a trip down memory lane to see images from our collection and discover how Ōtaki has changed over time.
Houses
These photos provide insight into the early architectural style and design of houses in Ōtaki.
Churches
These photos feature beautiful photographs of some of Ōtaki’s famous churches.
Hotels
This gallery brings the historical significance of some of these iconic buildings to life.
Railway
Take a virtual tour through the past and see the Ōtaki railway as it was over 100 years ago.
Remembering 40yrs
Important moments captured remembering 40 years of the Ōtaki Historical Society.
Growing up in Ōtaki
See what life was like growing up in Ōtaki, and how our town has evolved over the years.
School days
See what school days were like for junior and senior students in our town many years ago.
Everyday life
See what everyday life looked like for the people in the area and how things have changed.
Collections
The Ōtaki Heritage museum collection tells stories of Ōtaki’s people and organisations. Our collection spans printed and written records such as family histories, newspapers, and military documents, alongside household items, clothing, tools, and many other artefacts.
Visitors can access collection material during museum hours or by arrangement.
Records of organisations
Material from groups such as the Ōtaki Borough Council, Tennis Club, Swimming Club, Indoor Bowling Club, and other community organisations.
Archival material
War service records, scrapbooks of press cuttings, oral histories, maps, photographs, and items from past exhibitions. Many maps are original and hand‑drawn, covering the district from the Tararua Range to the sea.
Artefacts
A range of artefacts donated by members of the community, including household items, tools, clothing, adzes, and early farm machinery.
Reference library
A comprehensive collection of books about the history of Ōtaki and the Kapiti Coast.
The Anne Thorpe reading room is open to the public whenever the museum is open and by arrangement at other times. Here you can find archives: photos, oral histories, books, Historical Journals and more.
Research
Explore digital and research‑focused material from our collections.
Maps
Historic maps showing the landscape, settlements, and development of the Ōtaki district.
Many original, hand drawn maps from Tararua to the sea and from Te Horo to Manakau.
Oral histories
Recordings capturing memories, stories, and voices from the community.
Archival material
War Service records for individuals who served in World War 1 and World War 2
Scrapbooks of press cuttings going back over 100 years, documenting local events and people.
Photogaphs and digital
Photographs and exhibits from previous exhibitions, including originals and digital copies (available in Past Perfect)
We plan to expand digital access to photographs, documents, and archival material over time.