Otane

Small and perfectly formed Hawkes Bay town. Character abounds across the Public Library, war memorial, old school, railway, pub, takeaway and timber community church named St James built in 1894. There is nothing missing here although the bowls club may have seen better days.

Tangata Whenua here are Ngati Kahungungu and there is evidence that they may have been around here from 1500 or so. A pa was located at Patangata. When this township first emerged in the 1850s, it was called Kaikora, but it was so easily confused with Kaikoura it underwent a rapid name change to Otane when the sections were made available from the Tiffen Estate of Homewood in 1874.

A classic North Island timber two storey hotel with verandahs only lasted until 1880 when it burned down. The current model is more modest. A racecourse also proved to be a bit much for the town and the grand grandstand was transported to Waipawa. The picturesque historic schoolhouse was not functioning too well when respected missionary boss William Colenso paid a visit, but has also been replaced with a modern version.

St Hilda's Anglican Home for children used to be a feature of this little town. The sad picture 'Tare is Woeful' seems to have the right title. He is happier with Dot and with his friends. The collection, taken by the matron Edith Waller, is at Hawkes Bay Museums Trust.

Collection of Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Ta-u-rangi

An authentic community market takes place here on Sundays from nine until lunchtime, sometimes served by a railcar service from Napier. A mysterious memorial exists by the railway line on the corner of Carruthers and Knorp Street, please feel free to write in and let us know what it is about. The main cemetery is outside of town on State Highway Two.

The last of six Railway Cottages built for workers here in the 1880s remains and is available as accommodation, and uses the authentic name of the town Kaikora.