Opua

This article is about the New Zealand town. For the fish genus, see Opua (fish).

Opua
Ferry between Opua and Okiato, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, with Opua in the distance
Ferry between Opua and Okiato, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, with Opua in the distance
Map
Coordinates: 35°18′51″S 174°7′7″E / 35.31417°S 174.11861°E / -35.31417; 174.11861
CountryNew Zealand
RegionNorthland Region
DistrictFar North District
WardBay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward
CommunityBay of Islands-Whangaroa
SubdivisionRussell-Ōpua
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityFar North District Council
 • Regional councilNorthland Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Total5.60 km2 (2.16 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Total1,290
 • Density230/km2 (600/sq mi)
House on the Water at Opua

Opua is a locality in the Bay of Islands, in the sub-tropical Northland Region of New Zealand.[3] It is notable as the first port for overseas yachts arriving in the country after crossing the Pacific Ocean. In the original 1870s plans for the town, it was named Newport.[4] The town of Paihia is nearby, and the small settlement of Te Haumi is in between.

The car ferry across the Bay of Islands, the main tourist access to Russell, runs between Opua and Okiato.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of the flower" for Ōpua.[5]

The Waimangaro area north-west of Opua is listed on the Ngāpuhi and Te Puni Kōkiri websites as a traditional meeting point of the Ngāpuhi hapū of Te Uri Ongaonga.[6][7][8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. ^ "Place name detail: Opua". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 3 November 2007.
  4. ^ Myra Larcombe, "Opua", accessed 3 November 2007.
  5. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  7. ^ "Ngāpuhi Marae". dev.ngapuhi.iwi.nz.
  8. ^ "Ngāpuhi Marae" (PDF). ngapuhi-runanga.nz.