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Opononi
Opononi is a settlement on the south shore of Hokianga Harbour in Northland, New Zealand. State Highway 12 runs through Opononi. Ōmāpere is on the shore to the south of Opononi and Pakanae is to the northeast.
According to the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the name Opononi roughly translates to "place of crooked fishing post" in Māori.
John Webster arrived in New Zealand in 1841. In 1855, he bought 700 acres of rough land at Opononi, and established a homestead and pastoral farm. He developed this into a showplace, entertaining vice-royalty several times. He also built a wharf, gum-store and a trading store. In 1894, Webster put the house and farm on the market. The store and gum store were taken over by Alfred Sprye Andrewes who later converted the gum store into a two storey hotel.
The Opononi Post and Telephone was opened in 1892 and operated until 1989. The road between Opononi and Ōmāpere was developed in the mid 1930s leading to ribbon development. In 1959, a fire destroyed the Opononi Hotel and Opononi Store.
Opononi became famous throughout New Zealand in the summer of 1955 and 1956 due to the exploits of a dolphin called Opo.
Opononi and Pakanae have two marae affiliated with the Ngāpuhi hapū of Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Whārara and Te Poukā:
In October 2020, the Government committed $470,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Pakanae Marae, creating 11 jobs.
Statistics New Zealand describes Opononi as a rural settlement. It covers 0.50 km2 (0.19 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 270 as of June 2025, with a population density of 540 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Waipoua Forest statistical area.
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Opononi
Opononi is a settlement on the south shore of Hokianga Harbour in Northland, New Zealand. State Highway 12 runs through Opononi. Ōmāpere is on the shore to the south of Opononi and Pakanae is to the northeast.
According to the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the name Opononi roughly translates to "place of crooked fishing post" in Māori.
John Webster arrived in New Zealand in 1841. In 1855, he bought 700 acres of rough land at Opononi, and established a homestead and pastoral farm. He developed this into a showplace, entertaining vice-royalty several times. He also built a wharf, gum-store and a trading store. In 1894, Webster put the house and farm on the market. The store and gum store were taken over by Alfred Sprye Andrewes who later converted the gum store into a two storey hotel.
The Opononi Post and Telephone was opened in 1892 and operated until 1989. The road between Opononi and Ōmāpere was developed in the mid 1930s leading to ribbon development. In 1959, a fire destroyed the Opononi Hotel and Opononi Store.
Opononi became famous throughout New Zealand in the summer of 1955 and 1956 due to the exploits of a dolphin called Opo.
Opononi and Pakanae have two marae affiliated with the Ngāpuhi hapū of Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Whārara and Te Poukā:
In October 2020, the Government committed $470,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Pakanae Marae, creating 11 jobs.
Statistics New Zealand describes Opononi as a rural settlement. It covers 0.50 km2 (0.19 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 270 as of June 2025, with a population density of 540 people per km2. The settlement is part of the larger Waipoua Forest statistical area.