Ōpunake

Ōpunake
Ōpunake Beach
Surf Lifesaving Club
Ōpunake Hotel
Etymology: ō: place of; puna: springs; kē: been always
Interactive map of Ōpunake
Coordinates: 39°27′S 173°51′E / 39.450°S 173.850°E / -39.450; 173.850
CountryNew Zealand
RegionTaranaki
Territorial authoritySouth Taranaki District
Wards
  • Taranaki Coastal General Ward
  • Te Kūrae Māori Ward
CommunityTaranaki Coastal Community
IwiTaranaki
Establishedc. 1866
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthoritySouth Taranaki District Council
 • Regional councilTaranaki Regional Council
 • Mayor of South TaranakiPhil Nixon
 • New Plymouth MPDavid MacLeod
 • Te Tai Hauāuru MPDebbie Ngarewa-Packer
Area
 • Total
3.78 km2 (1.46 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2025)
 • Total
1,470
 • Density389/km2 (1,010/sq mi)
Postcodes
4616
Area code06

Ōpunake (Māori: [ɔːˈpʉnaˈkɛː]) is a small urban area in the North Island of New Zealand, located within the Taranaki region and governed by the South Taranaki District Council. Positioned along State Highway 45, it lies between Hāwera to the south and New Plymouth to the north. According to the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Māori meaning of Ōpunake is "the place of where the springs have always been".