Okoroire (Māori: Ōkoroire) is a small settlement in the South Waikato District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island,[1] centred around the Okoroire Hot Springs.[2] The place name means 'place of the koroire / toroire, an extinct species of ring-necked duck.[3]
The hot springs consist of three naturally heated geothermal pools dug in 1880, which were extensively redeveloped in 2017 and 2018.[4] The pools are surrounded by bush and ferns.[5] During the late 19th century the pools were used by the sick for treatment and by Māori women to cleanse after giving birth.[6]
Local attractions include whitewater rafting, bird-watching and fishing. Local walks include the Three Kauri Track, the Wairere Falls walk and Te Waihou walkway.[2]
Okoroire Hotel, a historic country pub built in 1889 from ancient-timber, is located nearby near the banks of the Waihou River.[6] It has been owned by the same family for three generations.[2] The hotel was sold to a Chinese business in 2014.[7] It made staff cutbacks in 2018, and the next year was forced to sell by the Overseas Investment Office after promised redevelopment had not occurred .[8][9]
In 2016, members of the Chiefs rugby team were accused of exposing themselves to a stripper during an end-of-season event at the hot springs.[10]
Education
Kuranui Primary School is a co-educational state primary school,[11][12] with a roll of 51 as of February 2024.[13][14]
Railway station
Okoroire was a flag station[15] near Rangipai School,[16] about 3 mi (4.8 km) west of the hotel,[17] on the Kinleith Branch, from 8 March 1886. It was 94 m (308 ft) above sea level.[18] In 1890 it had no shelter shed, or siding, but by 1896 the station had a shelter shed, platform, cart approach and urinals. By 1911 it also had a 30 ft (9.1 m) by 20 ft (6.1 m) goods shed, sheep yards and a passing loop for 19 wagons. A caretaker was appointed in 1913 and a longer platform and an addition to the shelter shed were made in 1917.[19] The station closed to passengers on 31 July 1962,[20] to all traffic except stock from 18 August 1968 and to stock on Monday 1 June 1970.[19] Only a single track and a plantation remains.[21]