Otatara is an outer suburb of New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill.

The main thoroughfare in Otatara is Dunns Road, which continues westward across the Ōreti River bridge to road's end at Oreti Beach, towards Invercargill it becomes Stead Street at the old city/county boundary, passing between the estuary and the airport before crossing the Waihopai River bridge into the city proper.

There are several local bush walks through tōtara forests, and numerous recreational facilities in the area including MTB tracks, rowing, speed boating, two golf courses and the nearby Oreti Beach.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of loosening" for Ōtātara.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.1% had no religion, 36.7% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Hindu, 0.1% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.