Otaio is a suburb which lies within the Territorial Authority of Waimate, one of 16 residential suburbs which form the wider region. Otaio is the 6th largest suburb of Waimate in terms of the total number of residential housing stock. Otaio provides a range of housing stock, with the earliest residential housing recorded in the area constructed between 1880 - 1889. The majority of the residential housing stock in the locality was constructed between 1910 - 1919. Residential housing stock in Otaio is made up of approximately 5% residential housing and 95% lifestyle properties.