. Opunake .
Opunake is the main rural service town for Taranaki’s coastal region.
The town was settled in the 1880s. It was intended to be a major port but, other than a jetty constructed in 1891, little else was completed.
Opunake is the center for the local dairy industry, and is also a popular tourist spot, having one of Taranaki's finest beaches. The beach is composed of volcanic black sand and there are large rock pools to be found on the north-west end of the beach at low tide.
The Opunake and surrounding community has a South Taranaki District Council LibraryPlus, which provides full library and Council related services. Including: being able to register your dog, pay your rates or inquire about obtaining a building permit. Other services include a Tot Time for the under 5s and a regular Friends of the Library meetings. The LibraryPlus also has numerous APN computers, offering free internet and Skype to the public.
A statue of Peter Snell was unveiled on Saturday 19 May 2007 to celebrate the fame of this son of Opunake. Other notable people born in Opunake include former All Black captain Graham Mourie, prop Carl Hayman and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger.
History
On the coast just north of the town is Te Namu pa. In 1833 local chief Wiremu Kingi Moki Matakatea held off a war party from Waikato for several weeks with a single musket, and eventually triumphed. In 1865 the Opunake redoubt was established by the 70th Regiment, but little trace now remains.
Opunake Bay is a popular holiday spot and camping ground. The Egmont County Council was based in opunake until it became part of the South Taranaki District Council in 1989.
A branch railway to Opunake from the New Plymouth–Wellington line was laid in 1926, but the section between Opunake and Kapuni was closed in 1976.
Statistics
Opunake is a small town on the southwest coast of Taranaki. It is located 45 kilometers southwest of New Plymouth. Rahotu is 16 km to the northwest. Manaia is 29 km to the southeast. Surf Highway 45 passes through the town.
Drone Videos
Population
Population of 1,401 in 2018 census. Opunake is the westernmost town in the North Island. 1440 in 2020
Weather
Average temperature 14°C
Average rainfall 1350mm
Opunake High School
Secondary school
http://www.opunake.school.nz/Opunake High School is a coeducational secondary (years 9-13) school with a decile rating of 4 and a roll of 294 students as of March 2015. The school celebrated its 75th jubilee in 2000.
Opunake School
Primary
https://www.opunakeprimary.school.nz/Opunake School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with roll of 168 decile rating of 4.
St Joseph's School
Primary
https://www.stjo.school.nz/St Joseph's School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with roll of 102 decile rating of 6
St Joseph's is a state integrated Catholic school.
Opunake Communities Kindergarten
https://www.opunakekindergarten.com/We are a stand alone community owned early childhood education centre, and welcome approx 50 children through our doors everyday. Their ages range from 0 to 6 years. We are open 9 am to 3 pm daily, during school terms
Surf lifesaving
Surf Lifesaving
https://www.facebook.com/Opunake-Surf-Life-Saving-Club-197863736959735/timeline/Opunake has a very strong and successful surf lifesaving club with taranaki club champions in some divisions to their credit.
They are particularly strong in the rubber ducky rescue division.
