Seed & O'Brien's steam-powered sawmill at Sheridan Creek, which operated from 1930 to 1938, has been partially restored. It was closed by a flood which destroyed bridges.[5]
Demographics
The statistical area of Ōtaki Forks, which also includes Hautere, covers 87.32 km2 (33.71 sq mi),.[1] It had an estimated population of 870 as of June 2024, with a population density of 9.96 people per km2.
Ōtaki Forks had a population of 777 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (8.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 117 people (17.7%) since the 2006 census. There were 297 households, comprising 393 males and 384 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female. The median age was 50.0 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 123 people (15.8%) aged under 15 years, 102 (13.1%) aged 15 to 29, 381 (49.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 171 (22.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 91.1% European/Pākehā, 8.5% Māori, 1.5% Pasifika, 1.9% Asian, and 4.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 21.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.6% had no religion, 33.6% were Christian, 1.2% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 195 (29.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 78 (11.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $34,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 156 people (23.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 315 (48.2%) people were employed full-time, 126 (19.3%) were part-time, and 12 (1.8%) were unemployed.[6]
