Onekaka

Onekaka (Māori: Onekakā) is a rural district on the coast of Golden Bay.[1]

Onekaka
Onekakā (Māori)
locality
Remnants of Onekaka Wharf
Remnants of Onekaka Wharf
Coordinates: 40°45′S 172°42′E
CountryNew Zealand
Territorial authorityTasman
WardGolden Bay Ward
ElectoratesWest Coast-Tasman
Te Tai Tonga
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
7182
Area code03

The name Onekaka derives from the Māori language Onekakā, meaning red-hot or burning sand.[2]

Onekaka has a population of around 250. State Highway 60 runs through the district. Dairy farming is a major activity, occupying a large proportion of the land area. A significant number of artists and craftspeople live in the area. The Onekaka Hall Recreation Reserve is on the state highway opposite the Onekaka Iron Works Road and contains a community hall, stage and tennis court.[3] The Mussel Inn, a popular Golden Bay pub and live music venue, is a short distance north from the main settlement along the highway.[4][5]

A large ironworks was in operation in Onekaka by 1924, with a tramline that connected it to a wharf. It produced pig iron and pipes from limonite, which was mined there, and the operation employed up to 150 men. A small hydroelectric plant was built in 1929 to provide electricity for the pipe manufacturing. The works could not compete with iron produced overseas and closed in 1935. From 1937 to 1944, the hydroelectric plant produced power for Golden Bay. The plant was restarted by hydro enthusiasts in 2003 and produces 3.5 gigawatt-hours (13 TJ) annually for the national grid.[6]

A remnant of Onekaka Wharf and tramline remains on Washbourn Road and is a listed historic place.[7] The wharf was a recurring theme in the art of prominent New Zealand painter Doris Lusk and one of these paintings has inspired Charles Brasch to write a poem.[8] The wharf also features in a 1965 painting of Onekaka by Leo Bensemann.[9]

References
  1. "Onekaka". Tasman District Council. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  2. Mullan, Brett; Tait, Andrew; Thompson, Craig (12 June 2006). "Climate – Regional climates". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. "Onekaka Hall Recreation Reserve". Places New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  4. Hindmarsh, Nina (27 November 2020). "The Mussel Inn achieves 'climate positive' status by offsetting emissions". Stuff. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  5. Ridout, Amy (3 December 2021). "Golden Bay businesses' 'nervous anticipation' as orange summer starts". Stuff. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  6. "Onekakā Ironworks". Engineering New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  7. "Onekaka Wharf and remnant of tramline". Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  8. "Wharf at Onekaka by Charles Brasch". Christchurch Art Gallery. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  9. Vangioni, Peter (4 August 2011). "Burning sands of Onekaka". Christchurch Art Gallery. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
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