Ōtorohanga is a north King Country town in the Waikato region in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 53 kilometres (33 mi) south of Hamilton and 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Te Kūiti, on the Waipā River. It is a service town for the surrounding dairy-farming district. It is recognised as the "gateway" to the Waitomo Caves and as the "Kiwiana Town" of New Zealand. Until 2007, Ōtorohanga held a yearly 'Kiwiana Festival.'^[3]

Ōtorohanga is part of the Ōtorohanga District, which stretches from Kawhia Harbour on the west coast inland to the Pureora Forest Park. The town is the largest in the District and the seat of the District Council.

Ōtorohanga covers 5.07 km² (1.96 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 3,320 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 655 people per km².

Ōtorohanga had a population of 3,027 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 402 people (15.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 372 people (14.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,101 households, comprising 1,464 males and 1,563 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female. The median age was 37.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 636 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 615 (20.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,185 (39.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 591 (19.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 67.6% European/Pākehā, 40.6% Māori, 2.7% Pacific peoples, 5.6% Asian, and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.6% had no religion, 32.3% were Christian, 3.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.7% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 1.1% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 255 (10.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 675 (28.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 192 people (8.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,137 (47.6%) people were employed full-time, 363 (15.2%) were part-time, and 87 (3.6%) were unemployed.^[38]

Six marae are located in and around Ōtorohanga:

• Kahotea Marae and Whatihua meeting house is a meeting place for the Ngāti Maniapoto hapū of Apakura, Hinetū, Ngāti Matakore and Pare te Kawa, and the Waikato Tainui hapū of Apakura.
• Rereamanu Marae and Te Kawau Kaki Maro meeting house is a meeting place for the Maniapoto hapū of Huiao and Te Kanawa.
• Tārewānga Marae and Te Rau a te Moa meeting house is a meeting place for the Maniapoto hapū of Pare te Kawa, Rungaterangi, Urunumia and Tārewānga.
• Te Keeti Marae and Parewaeono meeting house is a meeting place of the Maniapoto hapū of Ngutu, Parewaeono and Urunumia.
• Te Kotahitanga Marae and Te Kotahitanga meeting house is a meeting place for the Maniapoto hapū of Pourahi and Urunumia.
• Turitea Marae and Turitea meeting house is a meeting place for the Maniapoto hapū of Pourahui.^[39][40]

Ōtorohanga is internationally renowned for its Kiwi House,^[41] which was the first place in the world where the general public could view kiwi in captivity,^[42] and recorded an average of 5,000 visitors per month in 2008^[update].^[43] The town has a public library, a swimming complex, a supermarket and a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant.

Ōtorohanga is on the North Island Main Trunk railway line. Otorohanga railway station opened in 1887. The Northern Explorer passenger train stops in Ōtorohanga on its service between Auckland and Wellington.

Ōtorohanga School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.^[44] It is a decile 2 school with a roll of 60 as of February 2024.^[45][46]

Ōtorohanga South School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.^[47] It is a decile 4 school with a roll of 300 as of February 2024.^[45][48]

St Mary's Catholic School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state integrated Catholic primary school.^[49] It is a decile 5 school with a roll of 30 as of February 2024.^[45][50]

Ōtorohanga College is a Year 9–13 co-educational state secondary school and community education centre.^[51][52] It is a decile 4 school with a roll of 307 as of February 2024.^[45][53]