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Oponae
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Oponae is a rural locality on the Waioweka River in the Ōpōtiki District and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. State Highway 2 runs through the area.[6] The Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve surrounds the locality.[7][8]
Key Information
Three bridges cross the Waioweka River near Oponae: the Tauranga Bridge, a historic 'harp' suspension bridge built about 1922;[9] the Oponae Bridge; and the Wairata Bridge.[10][8]
Demographics
[edit]Oponae and its surrounds cover 649.50 km2 (250.77 sq mi).[4] It is part of the Oponae statistical area.[11]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 135 | — |
| 2013 | 141 | +0.62% |
| 2018 | 189 | +6.03% |
| 2023 | 198 | +0.93% |
| Source: [5][12] | ||
Oponae locality had a population of 198 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 9 people (4.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 57 people (40.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 93 males and 105 females in 75 dwellings.[13] The median age was 30.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 60 people (30.3%) aged under 15 years, 39 (19.7%) aged 15 to 29, 66 (33.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 33 (16.7%) aged 65 or older.[5]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 42.4% European (Pākehā), 75.8% Māori, 6.1% Pasifika, 1.5% Asian, and 3.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.5%, Māori by 33.3%, and other languages by 1.5%. No language could be spoken by 3.0% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 6.1, compared with 28.8% nationally.[5]
Religious affiliations were 25.8% Christian, 31.8% Māori religious beliefs, and 1.5% New Age. People who answered that they had no religion were 36.4%, and 6.1% of people did not answer the census question.[5]
Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (10.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 78 (56.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 42 (30.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $28,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 3 people (2.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 57 (41.3%) full-time, 21 (15.2%) part-time, and 15 (10.9%) unemployed.[5]
Oponae statistical area
[edit]Oponae statistical area covers 1,255.59 km2 (484.79 sq mi)[14] and had an estimated population of 360 as of June 2025,[15] with a population density of 0.29 people per km2.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 300 | — |
| 2013 | 294 | −0.29% |
| 2018 | 330 | +2.34% |
| 2023 | 360 | +1.76% |
| Source: [16][17] | ||
The statistical area had a population of 360 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (9.1%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 66 people (22.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 183 males, 177 females, and 3 people of other genders in 144 dwellings.[18] 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 34.8 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 87 people (24.2%) aged under 15 years, 75 (20.8%) aged 15 to 29, 144 (40.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 54 (15.0%) aged 65 or older.[16]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 48.3% European (Pākehā), 69.2% Māori, 4.2% Pasifika, 0.8% Asian, and 1.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori by 28.3%, Samoan by 0.8%, and other languages by 2.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 8.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.[16]
Religious affiliations were 23.3% Christian, 26.7% Māori religious beliefs, 1.7% New Age, and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 43.3%, and 5.8% of people did not answer the census question.[16]
Of those at least 15 years old, 33 (12.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 150 (54.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 93 (34.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $27,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people (2.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 108 (39.6%) full-time, 45 (16.5%) part-time, and 27 (9.9%) unemployed.[16]
Education
[edit]Both Oponae and Wairata had schools during the 20th century.[19] Wairata School closed in 2001[20] after a full term with no students.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ "Final results 2025". Ōpōtiki District Council. 17 October 2025.
- ^ "East Coast - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "Waiariki – Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. 7015423. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Harriss, Gavin (April 2025). Oponae, Bay of Plenty (Map). NZ Topo Map.
- ^ "Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve hunting". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Tauranga Bridge". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "View, Wairata Suspension Bridge, Ōpōtiki". Whakatāne Museum. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Geographic Boundary Viewer". Stats NZ. Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. 7015423.
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Oponae (204600). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Oponae (204600). 2018 Census place summary: Oponae
- ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Redpath, M (1983). "Up in the gorge : the Wairata and Oponae Schools, 1923-1983". Wairata-Oponae Reunion Committee.
- ^ Mallard, Trevor (12 April 2001). "Wairata School (2067) Closure Notice". New Zealand Government.
- ^ McFadden, Suzanne (30 January 2001). "Lonely term ahead for principal". New Zealand Herald.