Talk of the Town: Ōkaihau residents reveal what’s important in their small town

Ōkaihau Village Butchery owner Clint Clayden – known as ‘Chops’ to his regulars – said Ōkaihau is a cool community. Photo / Jenny Ling

There are many small towns dotted around Northland’s vast, rolling countryside. Reporter Jenny Ling hits the road and finds residents keen to talk about their hometown and the reasons they love it. Today it’s Ōkaihau.

Ōkaihau may only have a handful of shops and cafes, and motorists can pass through the township in a matter of seconds, but at its heart is a community whose residents have each other’s backs.

Take Ōkaihau Village Butchery owner Clint Clayden – known as ‘Chops’ to his regulars.

He’s a volunteer fireman for the local fire brigade, and has been involved in the rugby club, the primary school, and the college at various times for his five kids who are now aged from 13 to 28.

Clayden also helps out with the local Pātaka Kai food pantry, and does the meat packs for community fundraisers and raffles.

“The community is pretty cool,” he said.

“I know everybody.

“People come to me and ask where people are – I’ve sold three houses for people living in town, and I’ve got the fourth lined up across the road.”

Clayden was driving diggers for 20 years for a company in Waipapa before buying his business on Settlers Way nine years ago.

The opportunity came about by happenstance.

“I was working down the road doing digger work and saw the ‘for sale’ sign on the gate.

“I told my wife [Fran] ... she said you better ring your boss and tell him you’re going to be late tomorrow, because you’re going to have a look.”

The rest is history, though the couple lived in Kaikohe for some years before moving to Ōkaihau permanently two years ago.

They are now a fixture of the town which includes a pharmacy, mechanic, hairdresser, community hall, and a couple of dairies and cafes.

Clayden also mentions the bowling club and tennis courts, and said the expansive views of the valley from Horeke Rd are hard to beat.

The town boasts a pharmacy, mechanic, hairdresser, community hall, and a couple of dairies and cafes. Photo / Jenny Ling

Another great thing about Ōkaihau is the Twin Coast Cycle Trail which runs between the Bay of Islands and the Hokianga Harbour via Ōkaihau and Kaikohe.

“We get a lot of people from all over New Zealand on the cycleway,” Clayden said.

“They ride past the shop and will come and buy something and will always come back later on.”

But the most rewarding part about living in the small town is people’s generosity and compassion, Clayden said.

“We get people in this area, some of our customers who have a bit of coin, they pay it forward.

“People are struggling around here.

“When people come in and their card declines or if families are struggling, and we know they’ve got kids at home, we’ll see them right.

“I’ve had them in tears when I’ve given them meat.”

Ōkaihau, located about 1km northwest of Lake Ōmāpere, was once a hub of early agricultural settlement and development.

It was busy during the early to mid-20th century, but the removal of the railway stopped the business and tourist flow.

Locals agree the cycleway has improved things, and Clayden, who grew up in Matakana, north of Auckland, reckons one day Ōkaihau will be just as wealthy.

Kelly Musante moved to Ōkaihau a decade ago after living in Kerikeri for 20 years.

Kelly Musante moved to Ōkaihau a decade ago after living in Kerikeri for 20 years. Photo / Jenny Ling

Originally from the United States, she owns the popular Sapphire Cafe which sports a large blue mural of a tui on the outside wall.

Musante, a volunteer at the SPCA, said she likes the “small town feel” of Ōkaihau.

“You know everybody by name.

“Kerikeri got too expensive, so I moved over here.

“Everyone knows each other, they have each other’s backs.

“If you need something, there will be someone here to help.”

Musante, a former bookkeeper, was looking for a commercial kitchen to make her lemon meringue pies to sell at the market when she saw the cafe was for sale.

That was in 2020 after the first big Covid lockdown.

The cafe survived and has become renowned for its tasty savoury pies, along with Musante’s special American-style desserts including pecan, apple and pumpkin pies.

Along with the Forest Pools, a popular swimming spot in the Puketi Forest, Musante also pointed to the cycle trail as having a positive influence on the town.

“I have a lot of locals and regulars that come in for coffee in the morning.

“We always get people from the cycle trail coming through, which benefits everybody in town.”

Jackie Poole moved to Ōkaihau from Palmerston North with husband Paul Payne, a St John paramedic, in 2005.

Jackie Poole grew up in Ōkaihau and did her secondary schooling there. Photo / Jenny Ling

She started the Settlers Way Country Store with her business partner Annie Blackmore in 2020.

Poole, who grew up in Ōkaihau and did her secondary schooling there, rates the Wairere boulders as a top spot, though it was a little further away.

The nature reserve and tourist attraction which contains rare rock formations in Horeke is a great attraction, she said.

Poole said Ōkaihau is a supportive community.

“We get really interesting visitors.

“It’s the centre of the community from the Mangamukas down to Ōkaihau.

“We get lots of people over from Kerikeri for a day out.

“We have the philosophy that it’s not just about our shop, it’s about a number of businesses.

“We all support each other.”

Jenny Ling is a news reporter and features writer for the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering roading, lifestyle, business, and animal welfare issues.