Background of the Otaki-Maori Racing Club
The Otaki-Maori Racing Club's home is the Otaki Racecourse, located 70 kilometres (40 miles) north of New Zealand's capital city Wellington . The club has enjoyed a long, colourful and successful history since its establishment in 1886. Our proud point of difference, all things being equal, is that we are the sole surviving Maori racing club in New Zealand – others having disappeared prior to the twentieth century.
As well as nine Otaki-Maori Racing Club race meetings per season, the course also operates four days a year for the Levin Racing Club.
The racecourse itself is sited on a rich and easily accessible plain, and just two minutes east of Otaki Railway and State Highway One. The track is used daily by up to 140 horses in training, largely because of its ideal location in the central lower North Island , plus its excellent training facilities.
Part of the club’s success is due to its long-serving (now retired) secretary-manager Neale Ames (29 years), course manager, the late Harold Fulford (27 years), and the dedicated committee members and officials – which include a patron, a president, vice-presidents and 12 stewards.
The Otaki-Maori Racing Club is unique in that full, or ordinary, membership is open only to people tracing to the Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa, and Te Ati Awa tribes. There are of course other membership options for those not descended from the tribes – and we welcome all inquiries, constantly seek new ideas, new energy and new sponsors.
If you’d like to be a part of the iconic Otaki-Maori Racing Club's success, its events, history and future, please contact us – online, check out Membership Applications or go to Club People on this site.