[4] On 2 March 1865, CMS missionary Carl Völkner was killed by local Māori for acting as a spy for the New Zealand Government.

In response to Völkner's death, the New Zealand Government dispatched military expeditions to Ōpotiki to hunt down his killers.

The Government also confiscated a large area of land stretching from Matatā to the east of Ōpōtiki from local Bay of Plenty tribes including Te Whakatōhea.

[5][4] Military settlers settled in Ōpōtiki, which became the main government centre in eastern Bay of Plenty.

[4][6] During the 1980s, the town was adversely affected by economic reforms which led to the closure of two clothing factories in nearby Waimana and layoffs in the public works.

[4] During the early 21st century, the town's economy was boosted by the development of horticulture plantations and an offshore mussel's farm.

[6] On 14 June 2023, a tangihanga (funeral) procession led to the temporary closure of several local schools and public transportation.

Summer temperatures reach the mid-20s (Celsius, mid-70s Fahrenheit) on the coast and encourage a continuation of the beach culture of the Bay of Plenty.

Severe localised rainstorms ('cloudbursts') may occur in the high country and have caused flash flooding including past inundations of Ōpōtiki township.

Today, First Gas owns and operates both the high-pressure pipeline and the local distribution network supplying the town.