Ōwhata is a semi-rural suburb of Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island.

[3] The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of the elevated stage" for Ōwhata.

[6] In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the marae and nine others, creating an estimated 34 jobs.

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a smaller boundary, covering 4.75 km2 (1.83 sq mi).

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.9% had no religion, 33.3% were Christian, 3.0% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.6% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 1.8% had other religions.