Ohai, Southland Map

About Ohai, Southland

Ohai is a locality in the Southland Region of New Zealand. It is a small community with a population of 303. It sits at an elevation of around 233 m above sea level. It lies approximately 62 km north-northwest of Invercargill, the regional capital. Ohai is located at 45.9167°S, 167.9500°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT). Statistics New Zealand classifies the area as a rural settlement.

Ohai rests on a broad plain, its foundations laid in the rich, dark earth of Southland. It lies 61.9 km north-north-west of Invercargill (from Invercargill: bearing 330°T), and is situated 26.2 km north of Otautau. The land here rolls with a gentle, almost imperceptible gradient, a landscape sculpted by ancient forces rather than dramatic upheavals. To the north, the White Range rises, a modest yet persistent presence on the horizon, its slopes often softened by distance and the hazy light of late afternoon. The air, particularly in the cooler months, carries a crispness that speaks of its inland position, a clean sharpness that invigorates the senses. Vast expanses of pasture, a verdant carpet stitched with the darker green of hedgerows, stretch out in every direction, punctuated by the occasional cluster of farm buildings.

The history of Ohai is entwined with the earth it occupies, its economy historically tethered to the rhythms of agriculture and resource extraction. For generations, the land has yielded its bounty, primarily through dairy farming, where the rich soil and ample rainfall have fostered a prosperous industry. The shadows of past coal mining endeavours also linger, a reminder of a different era when the earth was probed for a different kind of fuel. Though the immediate vicinity might be quiet, the distant murmur of the Wairaki River, some thirteen kilometres away, hints at the broader hydrological tapestry of the region, while the Woodlaw Forest, a ten-kilometre journey eastward, suggests the enduring presence of native bush. The quality of light in Ohai can be extraordinary, particularly as dusk descends, painting the sky in hues of bruised plum and pale gold, a fleeting spectacle that mirrors the subtle shifts in the land’s character throughout the seasons.

About This Ohai Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Ohai, Southland, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -45.91667, 167.95. Live weather conditions with current observations and a 7-day forecast are powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time New Zealand and world news feeds keep the page current, while an editorial description provides background on Ohai.

Ohai sits within the Southland Region. Location data is drawn from the GeoNames geographical database and verified by coordinates, ensuring the correct Ohai is identified even where the name is shared across multiple New Zealand localities.