Otari Parish
Otari Catholic Parish lies in the southern area of the Western suburbs of Wellington the capital city of New Zealand. It was formed from two Catholic parishes in 2014, St Thomas More, Wilton, and St Teresa, Karori. Both parishes were formed in early twentieth century but demographic changes and priest shortages have led to the Archdiocese of Wellington amalgamating many of its parishes.
The parish currently has two churches inherited from the two parishes mentioned above, but the parish council has proposed closing the Wilton church in favour of the larger Karori church in 2016.
The parish also has two Catholic primary schools in its area, Cardinal McKeefry School and St Teresa's School.
The name Otari is maori te reo and means 'Place Of Snares' as Maori hunted birdlife for food in the forested Karori Valley before the European arrival. Karori is one of New Zealand's largest suburbs and along with Wilton and Northland form a parish with a large population.
The parish population reflects New Zealand's multicultural makeup today with Maori, European, Pacifica. Asian, Middle East origins.
The parish currently has two churches inherited from the two parishes mentioned above, but the parish council has proposed closing the Wilton church in favour of the larger Karori church in 2016.
The parish also has two Catholic primary schools in its area, Cardinal McKeefry School and St Teresa's School.
The name Otari is maori te reo and means 'Place Of Snares' as Maori hunted birdlife for food in the forested Karori Valley before the European arrival. Karori is one of New Zealand's largest suburbs and along with Wilton and Northland form a parish with a large population.
The parish population reflects New Zealand's multicultural makeup today with Maori, European, Pacifica. Asian, Middle East origins.
