Opononi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Opononi
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Opononi Wharf
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Northland Region |
| District | Far North District |
| Ward | Kaikohe/Hokianga |
| Community | Kaikohe-Hokianga |
| Subdivision | South Hokianga |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 0.50 km2 (0.19 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 280 |
| • Density | 560/km2 (1,450/sq mi) |
Opononi is a small town located on the south side of the Hokianga Harbour in Northland, New Zealand. A main road, State Highway 12, goes right through Opononi. The town of Ōmāpere is just south of Opononi, and Pakanae is to the northeast.
The name Opononi comes from the Māori words that mean "place of crooked fishing post." This name tells us a bit about the area's history and how people used to fish there.
Contents
What is the History of Opononi?
Early European Settlers
A man named John Webster came to New Zealand in 1841. In 1855, he bought a large piece of land, about 700 acres, in Opononi. He built a home and started a farm there. His farm became very well-known, and he even hosted important visitors many times.
John Webster also built a wharf, which is a pier for boats, and a store for trading. In 1894, he decided to sell his house and farm. Another person, Alfred Sprye Andrewes, took over the stores. He later turned one of the stores into a two-story hotel.
Opononi in the 20th Century
The first Post and Telephone office in Opononi opened in 1892. It served the community for many years, until 1989. In the mid-1930s, the road connecting Opononi and Ōmāpere was improved. This helped the towns grow and develop more homes and businesses along the road.
Sadly, in 1959, a fire destroyed both the Opononi Hotel and the Opononi Store.
Opononi became very famous across New Zealand in the summers of 1955 and 1956. This was because of a friendly wild dolphin named Opo. Opo loved to play with people in the harbour, and many visitors came to see her.
Marae: Important Meeting Places
Opononi and Pakanae are home to two special places called marae. A marae is a traditional Māori meeting ground and community area. These marae are connected to the Ngāpuhi hapū (sub-tribes) called Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Whārara, and Te Poukā.
The two marae are:
- Pākanae Marae, which has a meeting house called Maraeroa.
- Kōkōhuia or Ōmāpere Marae, which has a meeting house called Te Whakarongotai. This marae is also connected to Ngāti Te Pou.
In October 2020, the New Zealand Government provided $470,000 to improve Pakanae Marae. This project also created 11 jobs for people in the area.
Who Lives in Opononi?
Opononi is considered a rural settlement, meaning it's a small community in the countryside. It covers an area of about 0.50 square kilometers. In 2023, about 264 people lived in Opononi.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Opononi has changed over the years:
- In 2006, there were 222 people.
- In 2013, the population was 204.
- In 2018, it increased to 252 people.
- In 2023, the population reached 264.
This shows that Opononi's population has grown by 12 people since 2018, and by 60 people since 2013.
A Look at the Community
In 2023, there were 123 males, 138 females, and 3 people of other genders living in Opononi. The average age of people in Opononi was about 52.7 years old.
Here's a breakdown of age groups:
- About 19.3% of the people were under 15 years old.
- About 11.4% were between 15 and 29 years old.
- About 37.5% were between 30 and 64 years old.
- About 31.8% were 65 years or older.
Many people in Opononi identify with more than one ethnic group. The main groups include:
- About 60.2% are European (also called Pākehā).
- About 64.8% are Māori.
- Smaller groups include Pasifika (8.0%) and Asian (4.5%).
Most people (95.5%) speak English. About 23.9% also speak the Māori language.
Jobs and Education
The average income in Opononi was about $24,300. This is lower than the national average for New Zealand.
For people aged 15 and older:
- About 11.3% had a university degree or higher.
- About 54.9% had a certificate or diploma after high school.
- About 31.0% had only high school qualifications.
When it comes to jobs, about 29.6% of people aged 15 and over worked full-time. Another 16.9% worked part-time.
What About Education in Opononi?
The first school in the area was the Pakia Native School, which opened in 1874. It was later renamed Omapere School in 1912. Opononi itself didn't have its own school for a long time. Children either went to Pakia/Omapere School or to Pakanae School, which opened in 1909.
In 1974, a new school was built called Opononi Area School. This new school replaced both the Omapere and Pakanae schools.
Opononi Area School is a school for both boys and girls. It teaches students from Year 1 all the way up to Year 15. This means it covers primary, intermediate, and high school levels. The school currently has about 126 students.
