# Onekaka Ironworks

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Former ironworks in New Zealand

Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Ironworks Location in New Zealand Location Location Onekaka Territorial authority Tasman District Country New Zealand Coordinates 40°46′7″S 172°42′6″E / 40.76861°S 172.70167°E / -40.76861; 172.70167 Production Products Iron History Opened 1924 (1924) Closed 1935 (1935) Heritage New Zealand – Category 2 Designated 1 January 2022 Reference no. 5120

**Onekaka Iron and Steel** was first floated in 1921 with the works becoming operational in 1924 and only ceasing operation in 1935. The ironworks used the [limonite](/source/Limonite) ore from nearby to make iron. To smelt the iron, coal and limestone were also necessary[1] and both limestone and the limonite were mined from the hills behind the works and ferried to the works 2.4 km away,[2] in buckets via an aerial ropeway.[1] Coal had originally been planned to come from the [Mataura](/source/Mataura) field, but was eventually sourced from [Westport](/source/Westport%2C_New_Zealand).[3]

Proposed development for Onekaka (published in 1937 by *[NZ Truth](/source/NZ_Truth)*)

When the industrial use of the iron ore in nearby [Parapara](/source/Parapara%2C_Tasman) was first considered in the early 1900s, it was envisaged to build a wharf north of Tukurua Point.[4] The Parapara iron ore had since the 1870s been used for making red paint, with a tram eventually connecting to a wharf.[5]

Skilton's wharf on the Onekaka Inlet was used to deliver building materials and equipment to build the ironworks in Onekaka,[3] and take away the finished product.[2] However, in 1923 the company was granted permission to build a pier 365 metres long from Onekaka Beach to deep water.[2] A tramline was built in 1924, running 2.6 kilometres from the wharf to the ironworks. This crossed the inlet on raised trestles, and passed under the highway.[2] In 1928–29, [a hydro-electric scheme](/source/Onekaka_Power_Station) was built to power the pipe-making plant.[2]

The blast furnace was able to produce 10,000 tons of iron per year, outrunning local demand,[3] and produced over 81,000 tons of iron between 1922 and 1935.[2] However, the plant could not compete with overseas iron and by 1930 the market for iron pipes had also collapsed. By 1931, the company was in receivership, closing in 1935.[1]

in 1938, the government acquired the ironworks[6] and there were proposals to revive them, but efforts to revive the works ceased in 1954.[7]

## Heritage

[Onekaka Ironworks Wharf and Tramline Piles](/source/Onekaka_Ironworks_Wharf_and_Tramline_Piles) have been declared part of New Zealand's cultural heritage, which has "significance as a poignant physical link to an ambitious iron mining and smelting scheme".[2]

## Gallery

		- Remnants of the Onekaka wharf

## See also

- [Mining in New Zealand](/source/Mining_in_New_Zealand)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-engineers_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-engineers_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-engineers_1-2) ["Onekakā Iironworks"](https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/onekak%C4%81-ironworks). *www.engineeringnz.org*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231114003312/https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/onekak%C4%81-ironworks/) from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:1_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:1_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:1_2-6) ["Heritage New Zealand: Onekaka Ironworks Wharf and Tramline Piles"](https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/5126/Onekaka%2520Ironworks%2520Wharf%2520and%2520Tramline%2520Piles). *[Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240213005106/https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/5126/Onekaka%20Ironworks%20Wharf%20and%20Tramline%20Piles) from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDawberWin200881–118_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDawberWin200881–118_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDawberWin200881–118_3-2) [Dawber & Win 2008](#CITEREFDawberWin2008), pp. 81–118.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Parapara iron ore"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19070816.2.19). *[Nelson Evening Mail](/source/Nelson_Evening_Mail)*. Vol. XLII, no. XLII. 16 August 1907. p. 2. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323063806/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19070816.2.19) from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDawberWin200840–43_5-0)** [Dawber & Win 2008](#CITEREFDawberWin2008), pp. 40–43.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["A general viewof the Onekaka Ironworks, which are to be run as a Slate enterprise. A special empowering Bill was passed by Parliament at the conclusion of the recent session to enable.this to be done"](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19380318.2.54.6). *paperspast.natlib.govt.nz*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323063645/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19380318.2.54.6) from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Heritage New Zealand: Onekaka Ironworks Quarries and Hydro-electric Power Scheme"](https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/5120/Onekaka%20Ironworks%20Quarries%20and%20Hydro-electric%20Power%20Scheme). [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240323063806/https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/5120/Onekaka%20Ironworks%20Quarries%20and%20Hydro-electric%20Power%20Scheme) from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.

## References

- Dawber, Carol; Win, Cheryl (2008). *Between the Ports: Collingwood to Waitapu*. Picton: River Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9582779-1-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9582779-1-4).

## External links

Media related to [Onekakā Ironworks](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Onekak%C4%81_Ironworks) at Wikimedia Commons Media related to [Onekaka Wharf](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Onekaka_Wharf) at Wikimedia Commons

Images from the [Alexander Turnbull Library](/source/National_Library_of_New_Zealand)

- [Mrs. D.I. Bruere: Photographs of Onekaka Iron and Steel Company Ltd](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23203015)

- [Terminus of the ore ropeway at the furnace](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22845811?search%5Bpath%5D=items&search%5Btext%5D=PAColl2253-33)

- [Materials in trolley ready for the furnace](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22333555?search%5Bpath%5D=items&search%5Btext%5D=pacOLL2253-01-1)

- [Drawing coke](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23226159?search%5Bpath%5D=items&search%5Btext%5D=PAColl2253-36)

- [Power generation from the Onekaka dam](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23091870?search%5Bpath%5D=items&search%5Btext%5D=PAColl2253-45)

- [Clydesday pulling a cart of molten iron](https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23050713?search%5Bpath%5D=items&search%5Btext%5D=F-029351-1%2F2)

v t e Tasman District, New Zealand Seat: Richmond Populated places Golden Bay / Mohua Aorere Bainham Clifton Collingwood East Tākaka Ferntown Ligar Bay Motupipi Onekaka Pākawau Parapara Patons Rock Pōhara Port Pūponga Pūponga Rockville Seaford Tākaka Tarakohe Tata Beach Upper Tākaka Waikato Waitapu Motueka Brooklyn Kaiteriteri Lower Moutere Mārahau Motueka Riwaka Moutere-Waimea Brightwater Bronte Dovedale Mahana Māpua Ngātīmoti Ruby Bay Tasman Upper Moutere Wakefield Woodstock Richmond Aniseed Valley Appleby Hope Richmond Lakes-Murchison Murchison Rotoroa Saint Arnaud Tapawera Tophouse Geographic features Buller River Dun Mountain–Maitai terrane Hope Saddle Lee River Mārahau River Maungakura / Red Hill Newton River Ngārua Caves Roding River Sams Creek Tākaka River Waimea Plains Waimea River Golden Bay / Mohua Appos Creek Archway Islands Cape Farewell Cobb Reservoir Druggans Dam Dry River Farewell Spit Harwoods Hole Lake Killarney Lightband Gully North-west Nelson Forest Park Rawhiti Cave Slateford Tākaka Hill Tata Islands Te Waikoropupū Springs Wainui Bay Whanganui Inlet Wharariki Beach Abel Tasman National Park Armchair Island Awapoto River Awaroa River Ballon Rock Falls River Fisherman Island Motuareronui / Adele Island Simonet Creek Torrent Bay Tata Islands Tinline Bay Tonga Island Torrent River Tōtaranui Wainui River Falls Tasman Bay Bell Island Best Island Moturoa / Rabbit Island Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock Waimea Inlet Kahurangi National Park Brown River Bulmer Cavern Ellis Basin cave system Kahurangi Point Lake Matiri Mount Arthur Mount Burnett Mount Owen Nettlebed Cave Wharepapa / Arthur Range Nelson Lakes National Park Braeburn Range Lake Rotoiti Lake Rotoroa Maniniaro / Angelus Peak Mount Franklin Pourangahau / Mount Robert Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake Rotopōhueroa / Lake Constance Sabine Valley Saint Arnaud Range Spenser Mountains Facilities and attractions Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track Inland Track Monument Appleby railway station Brightwater railway station Cobb Power Station Ferntown Bridge Gowanbridge railway station Heaphy Track Hope railway station Karamea Aerodrome Kawatiri railway station Langford Store Memorial Park Milnthorpe Model Motueka Aerodrome Moutere Inn Mussel Inn Nelson Lakes National Park Onekaka Ironworks Onekaka Power Station Onekaka Wharf and tramline Proposals for a road through North-west Nelson Pupu Hydro Power Scheme Richmond railway station RNZAF Dip Flat Rutherford memorial Stafford Place St Michael's Church Stoke railway station Tākaka Aerodrome Tākaka Pioneers' Memorial Takaka Tramway Great Taste Trail Tonga Island Marine Reserve Tophouse Tour de Vineyards Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Wangapeka Track Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve Wharariki Ecosanctuary Administration Historic Nelson Province (1853–1876) Collingwood County (1877–1956) Waimea County (1877–1989) Richmond Borough (1891–1989 · mayor) Motueka Borough (1900–1989) Takaka County (1904–1956) Murchison County (1909–1965) Golden Bay County (1956–1989) Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council (1989–1992) Current Council Mayor Organisations Golden Bay Air Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Union New Zealand Energy Richmond Athletic FC Talley's Group Schools Collingwood Area School Golden Bay High School Motueka High School Waimea College Waimea Intermediate

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Onekaka Ironworks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onekaka_Ironworks) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onekaka_Ironworks?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.