Onepu

Onepu is a rural community in the Whakatane District and Bay of Plenty Region of the North Island of New Zealand. 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.

Onepu
Town
Onepu
Coordinates: 38°02′24″S 176°46′12″E
Country New Zealand
RegionBay of Plenty
Territorial authorityWhakatāne District
WardRangitāiki

The community lies on the Murupara Branch railway 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.[1]

Historically, Onepu was also the name of the surrounding district, including the site of the present town of Kawerau.[2]

Onepu is within the rohe (tribal area) of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi.[3] The Hahuru Marae and meeting house, located west of Onepu, is a tribal meeting place for the hapū of Ngāti Irawharo, Ngāi Tamarangi, Ngāti Peehi, Ngāti Poutomuri, Ngāti Umutahi and Te Aotahi.[4] It is named after the mother of Tūwharetoa, the eponymous ancestor of the iwi.

References
  1. "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  2. "District History - The History of Kawerau". Kawerau District Council. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2008.
  3. "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  4. "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.


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