Ōakura

Ōakura is a small township in New Plymouth District, Taranaki, in the western North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 45, 15 kilometres south-west of New Plymouth. Ōkato is 12 km further south-west. The Oakura River flows past the town and into the North Taranaki Bight. To the south is the Kaitake Range, part of Egmont National Park.[2][3]

This article is about Taranaki township. For the Northland settlement, see Ōakura, Northland. For the Taranaki river, see Oakura River.

Ōakura
A view of Oakura Beach looking toward New Plymouth
Ōakura
Coordinates: 39°7′3″S 173°57′16″E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki
DistrictNew Plymouth District
Area
 • Total1.68 km2 (0.65 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2020)[1]
 • Total1,650
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
4314
Area code(s)06

The population of Ōakura was 1,380 in the 2013 census, an increase of 21 from 2006.[4]

The Oakura Messenger (TOM) was a monthly publication delivered to all letterboxes in the area. It began in October 2000.[5] It was renamed the Oakura post in June 2020.[6]

On 5 July 2007 the town was hit by a tornado, which damaged 60 houses.[7]

Ōakura is well known for its beach—Ōakura Beach. One of only three beaches along the west coast of New Zealand which is north facing, in 2007 it became one of the first Blue Flag accredited beaches in Oceania. Only two others—Fitzroy and East End beach in nearby New Plymouth—received the same award that year. As of 2010, Ōakura Beach has retained its blue flag status.[8]

The Oakura River (and therefore Oakura township itself) was named after the female ancestor Akura-matapū of the Kurahaupō waka. Oakura-matapu was the original name of the river, and it literally means "Belonging to Akura-matapū". Akura was married to Okorotua. Ngāti Tairi hapū holds mana whenua in Ōakura. Ngāti Tairi belongs to the larger descent group of Ngā Mahanga a Tairi. Ngāti Tairi and Ngā Māhanga a Tairi are a part of the tribe Taranaki. Ngāti Tairi retain their take ahi-kā (rights of ownership) through the marae Ōakura Pā beside the southern side of the Oakura River. People have been living in the area of Oakura for hundreds of years.

When war broke out in 1860, Ngāti Tairi as part of Nga Mahanga and Taranaki joined in the offensives against the British. The nearby Tapuae ridge (north of Ōakura) was a continual site of conflict. On 4 May 1863 a party of about 40 Māori warriors ambushed a small military party on a coastal road west of the town, killing nine of the 10 soldiers. The revenge attack on the military party, escorting a British defaulter to New Plymouth for trial, reignited hostilities in the Taranaki War.[9][10]

Amenities and services

South Road (better known as Surf Highway 45) is Ōakura's main street, and most local businesses and services are situated around here.

Features and attractions

Apart from its well-known beach, Ōakura's main attraction is Butlers Reef – a bar and music venue that has showcased many well-known New Zealand and international acts, including Dave Dobbyn, Trinity Roots, Gin Wigmore, Katchafire, Supergroove and Jimmy Barnes.

Other places of interest include the township's three parks – Matekai, Corbett and the Shearer Reserve. Also, within five minutes drive south west is Lucy's Gully, a popular beauty spot in the Kaitake ranges that hit the national headlines in 2005 when the body of murdered German tourist Birgit Brauer was discovered there.[11]

Ringcraft Moana is a manufacturing jewellery business with showroom, garden and a large pearl collection of abalone pearls.[12] The Wavehaven, on Surf Highway 45 just south of Ōakura, offers accommodation and access to surfing beaches.[13]

Once a year, Ōakura's artists are opening up their studios to the public in a two weekend event. The Ōakura Arts Trail can be found online[14]

Marae

The local Ōākura or Okorotua marae features the Moana Kaurai meeting house. It is a marae of the Taranaki Māori hapū of Ngāti Tairi.[15][16]

Koru Pā is a historic reserve and pā situated 3 km south-east of Ōakura township. Thought to be one of the first Māori settlements in Taranaki, Māori tradition recognises it may have been built as early as 1000AD by Nga Mahanga a Tairi, a hapū of the Taranaki iwi.[17]

Education

Oakura School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a decile rating of 10[18] and a roll of 354 students as of March 2020.[19] The school was founded in 1866.[20]

Oakura PlayCentre is a registered Early Childhood Facility that caters to children from ages 0–6 years. It is licensed for 3 mornings a week; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Playcentre philosophy is based on child-initiated play and recognises the parents as the first and best educators of their own children. Playcentre families receive a unique early childhood experience with opportunities for whānau/families to learn together.

Notable residents
  • Ruhira Matekai (also known as Lucy Stevens) was a well-known Māori woman who lived in Oakura in the 19th century. Lucy's Gully and Matekai Park are named after her.[21]
  • Professional surfer Paige Hareb is from Oakura.[22]

References
  1. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  2. Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books. pp. map 34. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  3. Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton. pp. map 84. ISBN 1-877333-20-4.
  4. 2013 Census QuickStats about a place : Ōakura
  5. "History". The Oakura Messenger. Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  6. Watson, Mike (27 May 2020). "Former editor relishes return to tight deadlines and uncertain future". Taranaki Daily News.
  7. Dye, Stuart (7 July 2007). "Tornado victim: 'I thought we were going to die'". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  8. "Blue Flag Beaches". Blue Flag. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  9. Belich, James (1986). The New Zealand Wars and the Victorian Interpretation of Racial Conflict (1st ed.). Auckland: Penguin. p. 119. ISBN 0-14-011162-X.
  10. James Cowan, The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period: Vol I, Chapter 25, 1922
  11. "Police Media Release". New Zealand Police. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  12. "New Zealand pearls". Ringcraft Moana. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  13. "About" Thewavehaven.co.nz. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  14. |title=Oakuraarts.co.nz
  15. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  16. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  17. "Historic Koru Pa". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  18. Education Counts: Oakura School
  19. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  20. 125th jubilee of Oakura School and districts, 1866–1991 : souvenir booklet. 1991.
  21. "Lucy's Gully". Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  22. "NZ teen makes surfing history". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 January 2014.

Further reading

General historical works
  • "110th jubilee of Oakura School and districts, 1866–1976". New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Taranaki Newspapers. 1976. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • "125th jubilee of Oakura School and districts, 1866–1991: souvenir booklet". New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Original Print. 1991. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • New Plymouth Genealogical Group (1974). "Cemetery and memorial transcriptions : Stratford, Omata, Oakura". New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: New Plymouth Genealogical Group. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Clubs and organisations

Environment
  • Franks, John A. (1980). "Oakura Stream Catchment: water and land use". Stratford, [N.Z.]: Taranaki Catchment Commission. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Māori
  • New Zealand Native Land Court (1994). "Important judgments delivered in the Compensation Court and Native Land Court 1866–1879". n.p.: Southern Reprints. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • This is a reprint of a title published in Auckland: under the direction of the Chief Judge, Native Land Court by H. Brett, 1879.
  • Prickett, Nigel (1980). "Maori fortifications of the Omata and Oakura Districts, Taranaki". Auckland, [N.Z.]: Auckland Institute & Museum. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

New Zealand Wars
  • Great Britain War Office Topographical Depot (1864). "Rough eye sketch of ground reconnoitred for position for guns on north bank of Oakura River in front of rebel position Kaitake Ranges, Province of Taranaki, New Zealand [cartographic material]: shewing route followed in reconnaissance : transmitted with D.Qr.Mr. General's report and journal, July 7th 1863". London, [U.K.]: Topographical Depot of the War Office. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • This is Plate 5 from Journals of the Deputy Quartermaster General in New Zealand, 1864. An electronic copy is available from the National Library of New Zealand.

Maps
  • New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1907). "Town of Oakura, Wairau Survey Dist. [Scale = 1:4 752 (1/13.3 in. to the mile)]". Wellington, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey (1927). "Town of Oakura, Wairau Survey Dist. [Scale = 1:4 752 (1/13.3 in. to the mile)]". Wellington, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Department of Lands & Survey. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

People

Schools
  • "110th jubilee of Oakura School and districts, 1866–1976". New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Taranaki Newspapers. 1976. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • "125th jubilee of Oakura School and districts, 1866–1991: souvenir booklet". New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Original Print. 1991. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • "Oakura, Koru and Kirihau Schools 80th jubilee thanksgiving service, Oakura Public Hall, Sunday 19th May [1957]". n.p.: n.p. n.d. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Raill, Norman; Price, C.K.; Clegg, C.P. (1957). "Oakura, Koru and Kirihau Schools combined jubilee, 1876–1956: jubilee celebrations, May 18th, 19th and 20th, 1957: eighty years of progress". New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Avery Press. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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