Ōpunake | |
|---|---|
 Ōpunake Beach  Surf Lifesaving Club .jpg) Ōpunake Hotel | |
| Etymology: ō: place of; puna: springs; kē: been always | |
 | |
| Coordinates:39°27′S173°51′E / 39.450°S 173.850°E /-39.450; 173.850 | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Island | North Island |
| Region | Taranaki |
| Tribe | Taranaki |
| Settled | c. 1866 |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Type | Territorial authority |
| • Body | South Taranaki District Council |
| • Mayor | Phil Nixon |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.78 km2 (1.46 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2024)[1] | |
• Total | 1,490 |
| • Density | 390/km2 (1,000/sq mi) |
| Postcodes | 4616 |
| Area code | 06 |
Ōpunake (Māori:[ɔːˈpʉnaˈkɛː]) is a small urban area in theNorth Island of New Zealand, located within theTaranaki region and governed by theSouth Taranaki District Council. Positioned alongState Highway 45, it lies betweenHāwera to the south andNew Plymouth to the north.[2][3] According to the New ZealandMinistry for Culture and Heritage, theMāori meaning of Ōpunake is "the place of where the springs have always been".[4]
In 1833 local chiefWiremu Kīngi Moki Te Matakātea held off a war party from Waikato for several weeks with a single musket, and eventually triumphed. The site of Te Namu Pā is along the coast, just north of the town.[5]
The town was first settled by Europeans in the 1860s, when British army soldiers landed at Ōpunake in April 1865 in theSecond Taranaki War.[6] By May, soldiers had constructed the Ōpunake Redoubt, where 350 soldiers were stationed.[6] In May 1867, the redoubt was gifted to Wiremu Kīngi Moki Te Matakātea's people, and the area became a location for flax mills, outside European influence.[6] British soldiers re-established a presence at the redoubt in 1875, and the area became a rallying point for soldiers during the invasion ofParihaka.[6] By circa 1887, the redoubt was abandoned.[6] Ōpunake was intended to be a major port but, other than a jetty constructed in 1891, little else was completed.[7]
Ōpunake has twomarae.
In October 2020, the Government committed $153,419 from theProvincial Growth Fund to seal the driveway of the marae and paint the outside of all buildings, creating 12 jobs.[10]
Ōpunake is home to twopā.
Wiremu Kīngi Moki Te Matakātea led 120 men in a battle at Te Namu Pā against a Waikato contingent numbering approximately 800. The Waikato raid was unsuccessful and eventually retreated; those who were left behind were cremated in front of the pā. Wiremu Kīngi Moki Te Matakātea and his men won the battle partly because of the Geography and because of the singular musket that they had. The only entrance to the pā was accessible by following the Otahi stream around the back of it along a narrow walkway. The pā was attacked 5 times by Waikato forces with no success. Te Namu Pā is also rumoured to be named 'Kaiaia'.[11]
The village that was made at Te Namu Pā in 1833 was destroyed by an landing party fromHMS Alligator of 1834.[citation needed] The site is now considered a Urupa (Burial ground).[12]
"Greg O'Brien, poet, painter, editor and journalist, remembers Te Namu's association with Parihaka. He wrote: "my mother recalls an elderly aunt's recollection of the Parihaka siege—her description of a line of women singing, surrounding the settlement as the troops approached.) What escapes us, the land, kumara-pitted, remembers—adze heads recovered from among boulders, the faded shadows that were trenches around Te Namu pa. The site of the first fighting between British infantry—the 50th Regiment, 'the Dirty Half Hundred'— and Maori.""[12]
Opunake covers 3.78 km2 (1.46 sq mi)[13] and had an estimated population of 1,490 as of June 2024,[1] with a population density of 394 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,365 | — |
| 2013 | 1,335 | −0.32% |
| 2018 | 1,401 | +0.97% |
| Source:[14] | ||
Opunake had a population of 1,401 at the2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 66 people (4.9%) since the2013 census, and an increase of 36 people (2.6%) since the2006 census. There were 570 households, comprising 681 males and 720 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 44.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 282 people (20.1%) aged under 15 years, 216 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 597 (42.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 303 (21.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 76.0% European/Pākehā, 37.7%Māori, 2.4%Pacific peoples, 3.4%Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 11.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.1% had no religion, 36.4% wereChristian, 3.4% hadMāori religious beliefs, 0.6% wereHindu, 0.2% wereBuddhist and 1.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 120 (10.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 351 (31.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 114 people (10.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 417 (37.3%) people were employed full-time, 189 (16.9%) were part-time, and 54 (4.8%) were unemployed.[14]
Ōpunake Primary School is aco-educational school for students in Years 1 to 8, with an enrollment of 178 as of November 2024.[15] Originally known as Ōpunake School, it was established in 1881 as the first school in the area. In 1919, during theinfluenza epidemic, the school was destroyed by fire. Students were temporarily taught at the local town hall until the school was rebuilt and reopened the following year.[16]
St Joseph's School Ōpunake is a co-educationalcatholic primary school for students in Years 1 to 8, with an enrollment of 108 as of November 2024.[15] Founded in 1901 by theSisters of Our Lady of the Missions, its first teachers weresister Mary of Nazareth, sister MarySt Marcella, and sister MarySt John of the Cross. In 1917,father Doolaghty secured land for a larger school, and by 1923, the new building was officially opened byarchbishopThomas O'Shea.[17]
Ōpunake High School is a co-educationalsecondary school for students in Years 9 to 13, with an enrollment of 294 as of November 2024.[15] The area’s first secondary education began in 1920, with nine students receiving lessons atSt Barnabas Church Hall. By 1924, a secondary department was introduced on theprimary school grounds, and in 1925, Ōpunake District High School was officially established.[16]
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tamarongo is a co-educationalkura kaupapa Māori school that providesMāori-language immersion education, with an enrollment of 26 as of November 2024.[15] Initially founded as aprivate school in 1991, it became a fullystate-funded kura in 1995, catering to students in Years 1 to 8. Tamarongo holds the distinction of being the first accredited kura kaupapa Māori in the Aotea District.[18]
