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.
ÅŒpunake 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 ÅŒpunake 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 ÅŒpunake. Other notable people born in ÅŒpunake 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 ÅŒpunake redoubt was established by the 70th Regiment, but little trace now remains.
ÅŒpunake Bay is a popular holiday spot and camping ground. The Egmont County Council was based in ÅŒpunake until it became part of the South Taranaki District Council in 1989.
A branch railway to Ōpunake from the New Plymouth–Wellington line was laid in 1926, but the section between Ōpunake and Kapuni was closed in 1976.
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