ABOUT US
The Ōtaki Mail is a monthly community newspaper delivered to every household in the urban area of Ōtaki. We also deliver the paper to the surrounding rural areas: Manakau, to the north of Ōtaki; and Te Horo to the south.
Our content is very Ōtaki-centric, with a focus on the wonderful events occurring within the community, while also providing a paper-based platform for local businesses to advertise on.
NUMBERS
- 4,000 copies circulated to urban households of Ōtaki
- 370 copies to Manakau village and rural area
- 1000 copies to Te Horo rural area
- Paper size: tabloid
- Cover price: free
- Publication details: monthly
BRIEF HISTORY
First published around 1892 under the name of the West Coast Mail;
it became the Ōtaki Mail from 1895.
In the 1940s, the Ōtaki Mail was merged into the Levin Chronicle.
In 1991, the Ōtaki Mail was relaunched by Annabel McLaren as a monthly community paper committed to informing the people of Ōtaki and environs of local events and issues.
In 2002, the paper was bought by Alan and Wendy Bailey who continued the commitment to the Ōtaki community.
The Baileys handed the paper to Ann and Lloyd Chapman in January 2014. Ann and Lloyd ran the paper together until they were joined by Penny Gaylor in 2018.
From April 2025, Nikki Papatsoumas and Tracey Hall took over the paper, determined to keep it hyperlocal for the locals.
