{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Onekaka | native_name = {{native name|mi|Onekakā}} | settlement_type = locality | image_skyline = Onekaka Wharf 93.jpg | image_caption = Remnants of Onekaka Wharf | population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2023"/> | population_total = 186 | population_as_of = 2023 census | population_density_km2 = auto | area_footnotes = <ref name="Area"/> | area_total_km2 = 12.61 | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | coordinates = {{coord|40|45|54|S|172|42|27|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = [[Territorial authorities of New Zealand|Territorial authority]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Tasman District|Tasman]] | subdivision_type2 = Ward | subdivision_name2 = Golden Bay | seat_type = [[New Zealand electorates|Electorates]] | seat = {{ubl|[[West Coast-Tasman]]|{{nowrap|[[Te Tai Tonga]] ([[Māori electorates|Māori]])}}}} | government_footnotes = | leader_title = Territorial authority | leader_name = [[Tasman District Council]] | leader_title1 = [[Mayor of Tasman]] | leader_name1 = {{NZ officeholder data|Tasman District Mayor|y}} | leader_title2 = {{nowrap|[[West Coast-Tasman|West Coast-Tasman MP]]}} | leader_name2 = {{NZ officeholder data|West Coast-Tasman MP|y}} | leader_title3 = [[Te Tai Tonga|Te Tai Tonga MP]] | leader_name3 = {{NZ officeholder data|Te Tai Tonga MP|y}} | timezone1 = [[Time in New Zealand|NZST]] | utc_offset1 = +12 | timezone1_DST = [[Time in New Zealand|NZDT]] | utc_offset1_DST = +13 | postal_code_type = [[Postcodes in New Zealand|Postcode]] | postal_code = 7182 | area_code = 03 }} '''Onekaka''' ({{langx|mi|Onekakā}}) is a rural district on the coast of [[Golden Bay / Mohua|Golden Bay]], New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/townships/onekaka/ |title=Onekaka |publisher=Tasman District Council |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207041841/https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/townships/onekaka/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The name ''Onekaka'' derives from the [[Māori language]] ''Onekakā'', meaning ''red-hot or burning sand''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/climate/page-2 |title=Climate – Regional climates |website=[[Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |first1=Brett |last1=Mullan |first2=Andrew |last2=Tait |first3=Craig |last3=Thompson |date=12 June 2006 |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114081134/https://teara.govt.nz/en/climate/page-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[State Highway 60 (New Zealand)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://places.nz/7189 |title=Onekaka Hall Recreation Reserve |date= |work=Places New Zealand |publisher= |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207043928/https://places.nz/7189 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Mussel Inn]]<!-- Q110526190 -->, a popular Golden Bay pub and live music venue, is a short distance north from the main settlement along the highway.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hindmarsh |first1=Nina |title=The Mussel Inn achieves 'climate positive' status by offsetting emissions |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/123512102/the-mussel-inn-achieves-climate-positive-status-by-offsetting-emissions |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=27 November 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111205030/https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/123512102/the-mussel-inn-achieves-climate-positive-status-by-offsetting-emissions |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ridout |first1=Amy |title=Golden Bay businesses' 'nervous anticipation' as orange summer starts |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127135972/golden-bay-businesses-nervous-anticipation-as-orange-summer-starts |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=3 December 2021 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093140/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127135972/golden-bay-businesses-nervous-anticipation-as-orange-summer-starts |url-status=live }}</ref>
A [[Onekaka Ironworks|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 [[Onekaka Power Station|plant was restarted]] by hydro enthusiasts in 2003 and produces {{convert|3.5|GWh}} annually for the national grid.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/onekak%C4%81-ironworks/ |title=Onekakā Ironworks |first= |last= |date= |publisher=Engineering New Zealand |access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>
Onekaka School opened in a building moved from Rockville in 1924. Puramahoi School (extant 1905)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZMAIL19050531.2.78.1?query=Puramahoi+School|title=Takaka|newspaper=[[New Zealand Mail]]|date=31 May 1905|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> merged with it in 1944.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19440503.2.14?query=Puramahoi+School|title=School Committees|newspaper=[[Nelson Evening Mail]]|date=3 May 1944|via=[[Papers Past]]}}</ref> It closed in 1947. The building became a community hall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/300848160/out-west-reflecting-on-an-onekaka-life|title=Out West: Reflecting on an Onekaka life|newspaper=[[Nelson Mail]]|date=7 April 2023|first=Gerald|last=Hindmarsh}}</ref>
A remnant of [[Onekaka Wharf]]<!-- Q79312464 --> and tramline remains on Washbourn Road and is a listed historic place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/5126 |title=Onekaka Wharf and remnant of tramline |publisher=[[Heritage New Zealand]] |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207041829/https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/5126 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wharf at Onekaka by Charles Brasch |url=https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/note/2020/04/onekaka-wharf-by-charles-brasch |publisher=[[Christchurch Art Gallery]] |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111205030/https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/note/2020/04/onekaka-wharf-by-charles-brasch |url-status=live }}</ref> The wharf also features in a 1965 painting of Onekaka by [[Leo Bensemann]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/behind-the-scenes/2011/08/burning-sands-of-onekaka |title=Burning sands of Onekaka |date=4 August 2011 |first=Peter |last=Vangioni |publisher=Christchurch Art Gallery |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114081125/https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/behind-the-scenes/2011/08/burning-sands-of-onekaka |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Demographics== Onekaka locality covers {{Cvt|12.61|km2}}<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 1 2023 (generalised)|access-date=17 April 2026}}</ref> and includes the area between [[Ōtere River]] mouth and [[Pariwhakaoho River]] mouth. It is part of the larger [[Golden Bay / Mohua#Demographics|Golden Bay / Mohua statistical area]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=3a406ce8fbb14367ab5caae21c07ab8b|title=Geographic Boundary Viewer|publisher=Stats NZ|at=Statistical Area 1 – 2023 and Statistical Area 2 – 2023}}</ref>
{{Historical populations|2006|132|2013|150|2018|144|2023|186|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|7022520}}</ref>}} Onekaka had a population of 186 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 42 people (29.2%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 36 people (24.0%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 81 males, 99 females, and 3 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 75 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_009&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.7022520.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 11.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 49.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 21 people (11.3%) aged under 15 years, 18 (9.7%) aged 15 to 29, 105 (56.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 42 (22.6%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.2% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]), 3.2% [[Māori people|Māori]], and 8.1% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.4%, Māori by 3.2%, and other languages by 21.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.6% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 32.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Religious affiliations were 6.5% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.6% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], and 1.6% [[New Age]]. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 75.8%, and 12.9% of people did not answer the census question.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
Of those at least 15 years old, 57 (34.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 84 (50.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 24 (14.5%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $25,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 12 people (7.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 57 (34.5%) full-time, 48 (29.1%) part-time, and 3 (1.8%) unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_012&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.7022520.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=7022520}}</ref>
==Notable people== * [[Richard Washbourn]] – naval officer<ref>{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19880810.2.167 |title=Obituary: Rear-Admiral R.E. Washbourn |date=10 August 1988 |work=[[The Press]] |page=45 |access-date=11 February 2024 |via=[[PapersPast]] |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323055429/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19880810.2.167 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{wikivoyage-inline}} * {{YouTube|id=63PH0VQbjUE|title=Wharf at Onekaka by Charles Brasch}}: Poem written by [[Charles Brasch|Brasch]] in response to a Lusk painting of the wharf * [https://otago.ourheritage.ac.nz/items/show/5584 Watercolour of Onekaka Wharf] by Lusk held in the [[Hocken Collections]]
{{Tasman District}}
[[Category:populated places around Golden Bay / Mohua]]