Otaki Heritage Bank Museum: Virtual Exhibits

Life at Otaki Beach
Over many years, Otaki 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 protect... View Exhibit Page
Otaki Beach Motor Camp: 1948 - 2006
Collection commissioned by the Otaki Historical Society prior to closing of the Camp.
Photographer Alan Knowles... View Exhibit Page
Otaki health facilities : the Cottage Hospital and the Sanatorium
The Otaki Cottage Hospital was opened in August 1899. It later became the Otaki Maternity Hospital and then the Otaki Community Health Centre.
Cottage hospitals were small rural hospitals with up to 25 beds. Dr James Mason proposed a cot... View Exhibit Page
Market Gardening
Long before pakeha arrived in Otaki 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 Chinese f... View Exhibit Page
Otaki Hotels
Since the late 1800s, Otaki 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 also OHJ v... View Exhibit Page
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 Otaki.... View Exhibit Page
Music and Entertainment
Otaki 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 dances... View Exhibit Page