Ōhope

---

title: "Ōhope" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["whakatāne-district", "beaches-of-the-bay-of-plenty-region", "tourist-attractions-in-the-bay-of-plenty-region", "populated-places-in-the-bay-of-plenty-region"] description: "Town in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand" topic_path: "general/whakatane-district" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōhope" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Town in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand ::

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

Field	Value
name	Ōhope
settlement_type	Town
image_skyline	Aerial-Ohope Bch.JPG
image_caption	Ōhope from the air, looking West
mapframe	yes
mapframe-zoom	11
pushpin_label_position	left
coordinates
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	New Zealand
subdivision_type1	Region
subdivision_name1	Bay of Plenty
subdivision_type2	Territorial authority
subdivision_name2	Whakatāne District
subdivision_type3	Ward
subdivision_name3	Whakatāne-Ōhope General Ward
subdivision_type4	Community
subdivision_name4	Whakatāne-Ōhope Community
leader_title	Territorial authority
leader_name	Whakatāne District Council
leader_title1	Regional council
leader_name1	Bay of Plenty Regional Council
leader_title2	Mayor of Whakatāne
leader_name2
leader_title3	East Coast MP
leader_name3
leader_title4	Waiariki MP
leader_name4
seat_type	Electorates
seat
unit_pref	Metric
	area_footnotes
area_total_km2	6.33
population_as_of
population_footnotes
population_total
population_density_km2	auto
postal_code	3121
area_code	07
::

| name = Ōhope | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = Aerial-Ohope Bch.JPG | image_alt = | image_caption = Ōhope from the air, looking West | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | etymology = | nickname = | motto = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = New Zealand | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Bay of Plenty | subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority | subdivision_name2 = Whakatāne District | subdivision_type3 = Ward | subdivision_name3 = Whakatāne-Ōhope General Ward | subdivision_type4 = Community | subdivision_name4 = Whakatāne-Ōhope Community | leader_title = Territorial authority | leader_name = Whakatāne District Council | leader_title1 = Regional council | leader_name1 = Bay of Plenty Regional Council | leader_title2 = Mayor of Whakatāne | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = East Coast MP | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = Waiariki MP | leader_name4 = | seat_type = Electorates | seat = | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | government_footnotes = | unit_pref = Metric tags --| area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 6.33 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_as_of = | population_footnotes = | population_total = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_note = | population_demonym = | timezone1 = | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = 3121 | area_code_type = | area_code = 07 | iso_code = | website = | footnotes =

Ōhope is a coastal town situated on the northeastern coast of the Eastern Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It is six kilometres east of Whakatāne, and is located between Ōhiwa Harbour to the south and Ōhope Beach to the north, providing views of both.

Name

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of [the] main body of an army" for Ōhope. On 10 October 1974, the name of the settlement was formally changed from Ohope Beach to Ohope. On 21 June 2019, the official name of the town was changed to Ōhope (with a macron) by the New Zealand Geographic Board.

Demographics

Stats NZ describes Ōhope as a small urban area, which covers 6.33 km2. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.

Ōhope had a population of 3,033 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 144 people (−4.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 186 people (6.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,476 males, 1,551 females, and 6 people of other genders in 1,362 dwellings. 1.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 55.7 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 411 people (13.6%) aged under 15 years, 339 (11.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,245 (41.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,038 (34.2%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 89.9% European (Pākehā); 17.4% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 2.8% Asian; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.7%, Māori by 4.4%, Samoan by 0.1%, and other languages by 7.8%. No language could be spoken by 0.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 20.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 34.1% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.5% Islam, 0.9% Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, and 0.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.9%, and 7.1% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 819 (31.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,326 (50.6%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 477 (18.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $44,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 435 people (16.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 1,128 (43.0%) full-time, 396 (15.1%) part-time, and 45 (1.7%) unemployed.

Tourism

Ōhope is a holiday destination during the New Zealand summer, with several kilometres of safe swimming beaches. The western end of the beach, commonly known as West End is popular for surfing during the summer and Christmas period. Visitors can explore walking and cycling tracks, including the scenic Ōhope Scenic Reserve Track and Ōhope Harbourside Trail, which offers views of the coastline, native bush and Ōhiwa Harbour. Ōhope Beach has earned recognition as one of New Zealand's most cherished coastal destinations through various accolades over the years. In 2014, it was voted the country's most loved beach, securing nearly 100,000 of the over 600,000 votes cast in a social media campaign by the Automobile Association. More recently, in 2024, Ōhope Beach was honored as the best family beach for the third consecutive year in the New Zealand Herald's Best Beach competition. The beach also secured second place in the best camping beach category. Ōhope Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, is a major attraction for both locals and visitors, especially during the summer months. The park offers a range of accommodations, including campgrounds, cabins, and powered sites.

Infrastructure

Education

Ōhope Beach School is a co-educational school for Years 1 to 6, with a roll of as of A school was approved for Ōhope Beach in 1947 Progress was slow, partly due to finding a suitable site. The school opened in 1951.

Transportation

The town is also serviced by public transport links via Baybus operated by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to nearby Whakatāne via the 122 bus route. Private cars, limited public transport and taxis (as well as cycling and walking) are the primary modes of transport for residents. Ōhope is primarily connected to Whakatāne through Ōhope Road, a two-lane route with passing lanes on the hill inclines. It is also linked to the south via the Pacific Coast Highway, providing access to Tāneatua and Ōpōtiki.

Facilities

The town offers a range of amenities, including cafes, shops, and recreational facilities. To the east, facilities such as the Port Ōhope Wharf, Ōhope Library, Ōhope Fire Station, Ōhope Beach Top 10 Holiday Park and an aged care facility are present. Ōhope is the main venue for the Local Wild Food Festival, a celebration of local produce and unique culinary experiences. The festival, which draws food lovers from across the region, showcases a variety of wild and foraged foods, with a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly dining.

Gallery

image:Ohope Tua Tuas.JPG|Digging for tuatua on Ōhope Beach in summer image:Ohope overview.JPG| Ōhope from above

Climate

|metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Port Ohope (1981–2010) |Jan high C = 23.8 |Feb high C = 24.3 |Mar high C = 22.8 |Apr high C = 20.3 |May high C = 17.7 |Jun high C = 15.4 |Jul high C = 14.9 |Aug high C = 15.5 |Sep high C = 16.9 |Oct high C = 18.4 |Nov high C = 20.0 |Dec high C = 22.0 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 19.5 |Feb mean C = 20.1 |Mar mean C = 18.5 |Apr mean C = 16.0 |May mean C = 13.5 |Jun mean C = 11.2 |Jul mean C = 10.6 |Aug mean C = 11.1 |Sep mean C = 12.7 |Oct mean C = 14.2 |Nov mean C = 15.9 |Dec mean C = 18.0 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 15.3 |Feb low C = 15.9 |Mar low C = 14.1 |Apr low C = 11.7 |May low C = 9.4 |Jun low C = 7.1 |Jul low C = 6.3 |Aug low C = 6.7 |Sep low C = 8.4 |Oct low C = 10.1 |Nov low C = 11.9 |Dec low C = 14.0 | year low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 82.0 |Feb rain mm = 72.5 |Mar rain mm = 75.7 |Apr rain mm = 72.7 |May rain mm = 71.0 |Jun rain mm = 108.9 |Jul rain mm = 84.5 |Aug rain mm = 104.5 |Sep rain mm = 80.3 |Oct rain mm = 88.5 |Nov rain mm = 86.2 |Dec rain mm = 74.6 |year rain mm = |Jan sun = 240.1 |Feb sun = 207.9 |Mar sun = 195.7 |Apr sun = 198.1 |May sun = 164.4 |Jun sun = 132.4 |Jul sun = 159.9 |Aug sun = 160.2 |Sep sun = 172.5 |Oct sun = 193.3 |Nov sun = 202.1 |Dec sun = 234.1 |year sun = |source 1 = NIWA |url = http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz |title = CliFlo – National Climate Database: Port Ohope |publisher = NIWA |access-date = 20 May 2024}}

References

References

1. (6 August 2019). "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
2. "New Zealand Gazetteer". [[New Zealand Geographic Board]].
3. "NZGB Notices — June 2019".
4. "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service".
5. {{NZ census 2018. Ōhope (203200). ohope. Ōhope
6. "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
7. "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer.
8. "Ōhope Beach: for any beach-related activity you can think of". [[New Zealand Automobile Association]].
9. (31 January 2022). "The best big beaches in the Bay of Plenty". [[SunLive]].
10. (13 March 2014). "Ohope Beach named New Zealand's most loved". Scoop News.
11. (2025-03-24). "Ōhope no longer best kept secret as it scoops another title".
12. (2024-01-31). "Ōhope is no longer the best kept secret".
13. (2 September 1947). "Ohope Beach School Approved". [[Rotorua Daily Post.
14. (2 October 1950). "No School, No Children! Ohope Parents Demand Action Before New Year". [[Whakatāne Beacon.
15. (11 April 1951). "Ohope School At Week-end". [[Rotorua Daily Post.
16. "Network Maps {{!}} Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana".
17. "Local Wild Food Festival 2025 {{!}} Whakatāne NZ".

::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. ::