Ōakura

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Settlement in Taranaki Region, New Zealand

title: "Ōakura" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["new-plymouth-district", "populated-places-in-taranaki", "black-sand-beaches"] description: "Settlement in Taranaki Region, New Zealand" topic_path: "general/new-plymouth-district" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōakura" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Settlement in Taranaki Region, New Zealand ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Ōakura
image_skyline	Oakura Beach 2019.jpg
image_caption	A view of Ōakura Beach looking toward New Plymouth
population_total
population_as_of
population_footnotes
area_footnotes
area_total_km2	1.68
population_density_km2	auto
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	New Zealand
subdivision_type1	Region
subdivision_name1	Taranaki Region
subdivision_type2	Territorial authority
subdivision_name2	New Plymouth District
subdivision_type3	Ward
subdivision_name3
subdivision_type4	Community
subdivision_name4	Kaitake Community
seat_type	Electorates
seat
leader_title	Territorial Authority
leader_name	New Plymouth District Council
leader_title1	Regional council
leader_name1	Taranaki Regional Council
leader_title2	Mayor of New Plymouth
leader_name2
leader_title3	New Plymouth MP
leader_name3
leader_title4	Te Tai Hauāuru MP
leader_name4
mapframe	yes
mapframe-zoom	9
timezone	NZST
utc_offset	+12
timezone_DST	NZDT
utc_offset_DST	+13
postal_code_type	Postcode(s)
postal_code	4314
area_code	06
coordinates
::

::callout[type=note] Taranaki township ::

The Oakura Messenger (TOM) was a monthly publication delivered to all letterboxes in the area. It began in October 2000. It was renamed the Ōākura Post in June 2020.

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

Ōakura is well known for its beach—Ōakura Beach. 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.

Demographics

Stats NZ describes Ōakura as a small urban area which covers 1.68 km2. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Ōakura had a population of 1,764 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 225 people (14.6%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 327 people (22.8%) since the 2013 census. There were 855 males, 906 females, and 6 people of other genders in 621 dwellings. 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 42.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 456 people (25.9%) aged under 15 years, 183 (10.4%) aged 15 to 29, 837 (47.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 288 (16.3%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 93.0% European (Pākehā); 12.6% Māori; 1.7% Pasifika; 2.0% Asian; 1.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.1%, Māori by 4.3%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 9.4%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 24.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 28.4% Christian, 0.3% Hindu, 0.2% Māori religious beliefs, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.3% New Age, 0.5% Jewish, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.7%, and 8.0% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 492 (37.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 615 (47.0%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 198 (15.1%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $47,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 291 people (22.2%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 591 (45.2%) full-time, 300 (22.9%) part-time, and 24 (1.8%) unemployed.

History

The Ōakura River (and therefore Ōakura township itself) was named after the female ancestor Akura-matapū of the Kurahaupō waka. Ōakura-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 Ōakura River. People have been living in the area of Ōakura for hundreds of years.

When war broke out in 1860 during the First Taranaki War, 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. In March and April 1863, Governor George Grey established redoubts around Ōakura just prior to the start of the Second Taranaki War, as locations where British troops could be stationed to keep European settlers in New Plymouth safe, and as a base to later retake Tataraimaka to the West. 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 Second Taranaki War.

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

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Oakura_beach.jpg" caption="Ōakura Beach at dusk"] ::

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.

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

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

Marae

The local Ōakura or Okorotua marae features the Moana Kaurai meeting house. It is a marae of the Taranaki Māori hapū of Ngāti Tairi.

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 1300AD by Nga Mahanga a Tairi, a hapū of the Taranaki iwi.

Education

Oakura School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a decile rating of 10 and a roll of students as of The school was founded in 1866.

Notable residents

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

References

(2004). "Reed New Zealand Atlas". Reed Books.
Roger Smith, GeographX. (2005). "The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand". Robbie Burton.
"History". The Oakura Messenger.
Watson, Mike. (27 May 2020). "Former editor relishes return to tight deadlines and uncertain future". Taranaki Daily News.
Dye, Stuart. (7 July 2007). "Tornado victim: 'I thought we were going to die'". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
"Blue Flag Beaches". Blue Flag.
"Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
{{NZ census 2018. Oakura (216500). oakura. Oakura
"Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
"Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
{{NZHPT. 5966. Te Koru Pā. 22 January 2026
{{Cite Q. Q58677495
{{Cite Q. Q58623361
Belich, James. (1986). "The New Zealand Wars and the Victorian Interpretation of Racial Conflict". Penguin.
[https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cow01NewZ-c25.html James Cowan, The New Zealand Wars: A History of the Maori Campaigns and the Pioneering Period: Vol I, Chapter 25, 1922]
"Police Media Release". New Zealand Police.
"New Zealand pearls". Ringcraft Moana.
[http://www.thewavehaven.co.nz/content/about "About"] Thewavehaven.co.nz. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
"Oakuraarts.co.nz".
"Te Kāhui Māngai directory". [[Te Puni Kōkiri]].
"Māori Maps". Te Potiki National Trust.
"Historic Koru Pa". Department of Conservation.
{{TKI. 2208. Oakura School
(1991). "125th jubilee of Oakura School and districts, 1866–1991 : souvenir booklet".
"Lucy's Gully".
[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/745476 "NZ teen makes surfing history"]. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 4 January 2014.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::