Opotiki is a town in the eastern Bay of Plenty in the North Island of New Zealand. It houses the headquarters of the Opotiki District Council and comes under the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Opotiki is situated on a harbour inlet formed by the junction of two rivers. Bounded by these rivers on three sides, the Opotiki township comprises 309 hectares and the Opotiki District extends from Ohiwa to Cape Runaway.
Opotiki's climate is equal to the best in New Zealand. The town is sheltered from the cold southerlies that are experienced in many other places. For sheer natural beauty, magnificent coastal scenery and beaches, an equable climate, many places of historical and cultural significance, a gentle pace of life, and friendly Multi-cultural people, the Opotiki District is unparalleld anywhere in New Zealand.
Ideally and centrally situated in a rapidly expanding holiday area, Opotiki is the northern gateway to Eastland and is also in the area known as "The Tourist Diamond of the Pacific" and all its attractions are within easy distance. These include thermal areas with delightful hot pools, many rivers and lakes well stocked with fish, and bush country with hunting for deer, wild pigs, goats and opposum. Also with the Pacific ocean on its back doorstep, Opotiki is an ideal place for deep-sea fishing, boating, surfcasting, surfing and swimming.
You may need to slow down a little to get the best out of this district. Opotiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, and the East Cape form the Eastland area, which is probably the finest of all holiday playgrounds in New Zealand. This is an area which can be used all year round. The climate is second to none during the summer and in winter there is a succession of sparkling days and crystal clear starlit nights. The climate can be compared to that of California, but here the air is fresh, clean and unpolluted from city smog. It is a great place for the out-door loving person and a grand place for a family holiday. It is an equable climate and yearly hours of sunshine rate high in the New Zealand tables. Light frosts are experienced in winter and brief periods of heavy rainfall can occur at any time. Neither humididty nor smog create any problem in this area.