Onepu
Onepu | |
|---|---|
Rural locality | |
A farm in Onepu | |
Interactive map of Onepu | |
| Coordinates: 38°02′24″S 176°46′12″E / 38.04000°S 176.77000°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Bay of Plenty |
| Territorial authority | Whakatāne District |
| Ward | Rangitāiki General Ward |
| Community | Rangitāiki Community |
| Electorates | |
| Government | |
| • Territorial authority | Whakatāne District Council |
| • Regional council | Bay of Plenty Regional Council |
| • Mayor of Whakatāne | Nándor Tánczos |
| • East Coast MP | Dana Kirkpatrick |
| • Waiariki MP | Rawiri Waititi |
Onepu is a rural community in the Whakatāne District and Bay of Plenty Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Onepu is the original name of the Rohe which the Kawerau township now stands. It is situated between Kawerau and Te Teko along State Highway 34, and lies immediately north-east of the Norske Skog Tasman pulp and paper mill.
The community lies on the East Coast Main Trunk and Murupara Branch railways and is serviced by Rural Delivery route 2. A small airfield was located in Onepu, but it is no longer operational due to the geothermal projects running nearby.
The name "Onepu" comes from local Māori oral traditions. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "loose sandy soil" for Onepū.
Historically, Onepu was also the name of the surrounding district, including the site of the present town of Kawerau.
Onepu is within the rohe (tribal area) of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi. The Hahuru Marae and meeting house, located west of Onepu, is a tribal meeting place for the hapū of Ngāti Peehi, Ngāti Poutomuri and Te Aotahi. It is named after the mother of Tūwharetoa, the eponymous ancestor of the iwi.