The Ōtaki Cottage Hospital (later the Ōtaki Maternity Hospital and then Ōtaki Community Health Centre) was opened in August 1899.
Cottage hospitals were small rural entities with up to 25 beds. Pressured by Ōtaki's Dr James Mason, Wellington Hospital Board leased land (originally given by Maori for educational purposes) from the Mission Trust Board to build and equip the hospital through local fundraising and government contribution.
After five years the hospital was enlarged, but by 1920 closure was considered in favour of services in Wellington or Palmerston North.
In 1929 it was converted to a maternity home under the PNHB, but in 1961 closure was considered because of falling birth rates and viability concerns with difficulty attracting staff. It closed in 1992, but a birthing centre operated until finally closing in 1995, and the building leased to a newly formed Ōtaki Community Health Trust.
