Otautau
Otautau | |
|---|---|
Former courthouse; now the Otautau Museum | |
| Coordinates: 46°08′34″S 167°59′59″E / 46.14278°S 167.99972°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Island | South Island |
| Region | Southland region |
| Territorial authorities of New Zealand | Southland District |
| Ward | Waiau Aparima Ward |
| Community | Wallace Takitimu Community |
| Otautau | 1872 |
| Electorates |
|
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Southland District Council |
| • Regional council | Southland Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Southland | Rob Scott |
| • Invercargill MP | Penny Simmonds |
| • Te Tai Tonga MP | Tākuta Ferris |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.60 km2 (1.00 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 60 m (200 ft) |
| Population (June 2024) | |
• Total | 790 |
| • Density | 300/km2 (790/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12:00 (NZST) |
| Postal code | 9610 (rural: 9682 9683 9689) |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Otautau is a small farming, forestry and milling town located inland on the western edge of the Southland Plains of New Zealand on the banks of the Aparima River. Otautau is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) north west of Invercargill. The average elevation of Otautau is 60 metres.
Otautau is also known as "The Heart of Western Southland" as can be seen on the roadside sign photo below. Otautau township has one building registered with Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand. This is the historic courthouse building in Main Street from 1908, which currently houses the district's small museum and some archives from local institutions and businesses.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of [an] ear pendant" for the name Ōtautau.