The Ohoka Community

The settlement of Ohoka was founded  in the mid 1800s as a mill town, the school in 1868.  In the latter part of the 1800s, Ohoka was a thriving place with over 200 pupils at the school, a large hotel and many shops.  With the demise of the mills after the turn of the century, and a subsequent move into the city for many families, Ohoka became a quieter place. Many of the farms continued to prosper and grow, however, and Ohoka maintained itself as a small village, with the garage,  hall and school at its centre.

 In recent years, Ohoka has become a haven for families from every walk of life (from throughout New Zealand and abroad) who are drawn to its lush scenery, historic gardens and homes, and availability of land for development into blocks for farming, boutique vineyards and other lifestyle pursuits. While many enjoy the convenience of working and shopping in Christchurch (only 25 minutes away), Ohoka has a strong community of its own, connected by sport clubs (which include rugby, touch, tennis, bowls, soccer and others), garden groups, churches, the garage at the centre of the village, and of course, the school, which is a major hub for young families.  While Ohoka has grown quickly in the last decade, its population increasing by 50%, it has been planned growth, and well done, and Ohoka retains its semi-rural feel with small country roads, walking/riding paths, farm land, views to the mountains, and unspoilt beaches nearby.

 Ohoka also retains some of its history (with  Ohoka Hall still used by local residents for dances and parties as well as sporting practice) and much of its charm, with its old farmsteads and towering, century-old oaks, elms and maples. However, it has grown with the times and acknowledges the needs of the future.  Things such as its strong community groups, a community newsletter, and  the active community at Ohoka School will see that its future as a desirable place to live is assured.

Ohoka is a community of substance. Recent work attempted to identify that which makes the community what it is. You can see and comment on the high level headings here:

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