Opunake, New Zealand

Taranaki Region · New Zealand

Opunake is a small town in Taranaki Region, New Zealand with a population of 1,440. Elevation: 105 ft (32 m). Average temperature: 55°F (13°C).

Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026

1,440 Population 6/sq mi density
105 ft Elevation 32 meters
55°F Avg Temperature 13°C
76.7 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone

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Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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About Opunake

Opunake High School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys and girls in Ōpunake, New Zealand. It has a roll of 319 as of November 2015, the school crest features the Cape Egmont Lighthouse, open book and the torch of the spirit, and Mt Taranaki the motto "Ut prosim patriae" which translates to "that I may be worthy of my country". The school colours are blue and yellow. Most of the school's approximately 319 students are from Ōpunake and surrounding townships such as Manaia, Kaponga, and Rahotu.

People

Population1,440
Density6/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
Rain76.7 in/yr
Elevation105 ft (32 m)
Population1,440
Population Density6 / sq mi
Elevation105 ft (32 m)
Coordinates-39.4556°, 173.8583°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceTaranaki Region
Average Temperature55°F (13°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average47°F (9°C)
Annual Precipitation76.7 inches (1,948 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Opunake

Opunake is a small town in New Zealand (Taranaki Region) with a population of 1,440. The city sits at an elevation of 105 feet (32 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 55°F (13°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 47°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 76.7 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Opunake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 47°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 76.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 105 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 47°F Jul (9°C)
Annual Average55.0°F
2% above New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average47°F (9°C)

Geography

Elevation105 ft (32 m)
Area247.3 sq mi (640.5 km²)
Population Density6/sq mi
Coordinates39.4556°S, 173.8583°E
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 76.7"
102% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Oct) 8.07"
Driest Month (Feb) 4.29"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

735 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.3. Most recent: M4.1 on Jun 3, 2025.

Jul 3, 2012 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand M6.3 64 km
Sep 19, 1995 15 km SW of Hawera, New Zealand M5.8 38 km
May 18, 1999 54 km S of Otorohanga, New Zealand M5.8 149 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 135 km
Jan 12, 2022 22 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand M5.7 59 km
May 24, 2020 29 km WNW of Foxton, New Zealand M5.6 139 km
Sep 8, 1991 29 km WSW of Bulls, New Zealand M5.6 135 km
May 24, 2001 38 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand M5.5 148 km
Mar 13, 2005 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 84 km
Jun 9, 1991 38 km SSW of Patea, New Zealand M5.4 85 km
Jul 15, 2009 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 83 km
Sep 25, 1996 57 km ENE of Eltham, New Zealand M5.4 94 km
Sep 22, 2022 63 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.2 143 km
Feb 18, 1992 41 km SW of Patea, New Zealand M5.2 64 km
Jul 13, 2007 29 km WSW of Hawera, New Zealand M5.1 30 km
Jan 25, 2020 49 km NW of Paraparaumu, New Zealand M5.1 144 km
Jun 19, 2005 57 km ESE of Waitara, New Zealand M5.1 95 km
Apr 20, 1998 60 km W of Turangi, New Zealand M5.1 118 km
Aug 10, 2023 88 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.1 88 km
Sep 24, 2000 22 km WNW of Waiouru, New Zealand M5.1 136 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1868 NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 3.0 m - 111 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Taranaki (25 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Taranaki Stratovolcano 2,518 m (8,261 ft) 1800 25 km
Ruapehu Stratovolcano 2,797 m (9,177 ft) 2007 148 km
Tongariro Stratovolcano(es) 1,978 m (6,490 ft) 2012 156 km
Taupo Caldera 760 m (2,493 ft) 260 198 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 5.5 in
February 63°F (17°C) 4.3 in Warmest, Driest
March 61°F (16°C) 5.2 in
April 57°F (14°C) 6.3 in
May 52°F (11°C) 7.7 in
June 49°F (9°C) 7.0 in
July 47°F (9°C) 6.7 in Coldest
August 49°F (9°C) 6.9 in
September 51°F (11°C) 6.9 in
October 54°F (12°C) 8.1 in Wettest
November 57°F (14°C) 7.1 in
December 60°F (16°C) 5.1 in

Opunake has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 47°F in July to 63°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 76.7 inches, with October being the wettest month (8.1") and February the driest (4.3").

View full weather details →

Schools in Opunake

4 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Opunake High School - - - -
Opunake School - - - -
Saint Josephs School - - - -
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tamarongo - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Opunake

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
The Most FM 104.4 alternative, taranaki MP3 160 kbps

Museums in Opunake

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Historic Cape Light museum

Libraries in Opunake

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Opunake LibraryPlus0.0

Hotels in Opunake

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Headlands Hotel and Restaurant Opunake

Cafes in Opunake

2 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Arty Tarts Café
Sugar Juice Café

Cinemas in Opunake

1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Everybody's Theatre

Clinics in Opunake

1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Opunake Medical Centre

Veterinaries in Opunake

1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Costal Vets

Gas Stations in Opunake

1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Allied Petroleum

Banks in Opunake

1 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

TSB

Golf Courses in Opunake

1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Opunake Golf Club

Ski Resorts Near Opunake

1 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Manganui Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Opunake

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
New Plymouth AirportNPLMedium Airport
Hawera Airport-Small Airport
Norfolk Airport-Small Airport
Stratford Airport-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Opunake

2 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Our Lady Star of the Sea
St. Barnabas Anglican Church

Quick Facts

Timezone
Pacific/Auckland

🇳🇿 About New Zealand

Capital Wellington
Population 4,885,500
Area 268,680 km²
GDP (USD) $255,194,972,673
GDP per capita $49,076
HDI 0.939
Life expectancy 83.0 years
Internet users 96.2%
Urban population 83.9%
Currency NZD (Dollar)
Languages English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Calling code +64
TLD .nz
Driving side left

Public Holidays in New Zealand

23 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 2 Day after New Year's Day Day after New Year's Day
Jan 19 Wellington Anniversary Day Wellington Anniversary Day
Jan 26 Auckland Anniversary Day Auckland/Northland Anniversary Day
Feb 2 Nelson Anniversary Day Nelson Anniversary Day
Feb 6 Waitangi Day Waitangi Day
Mar 9 Taranaki Anniversary Day Taranaki Anniversary Day
Mar 23 Otago Anniversary Day Otago Anniversary Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 7 Southland Anniversary Day Southland Anniversary Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Jun 1 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Jul 10 Matariki Matariki
Sep 28 Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day Dominion Day
Oct 23 Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day
Oct 26 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 2 Marlborough Anniversary Day Marlborough Anniversary Day
Nov 13 Canterbury Anniversary Day Canterbury (North & Central) Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Chatham Islands Anniversary Day Chatham Islands Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Westland Anniversary Day Westland Anniversary Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 Boxing Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Opunake

What is the population of Opunake?

Opunake has a population of 1,440 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 6 people per square mile, spread across 247.3 square miles.

What is the weather like in Opunake?

Opunake has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 47°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 76.7 inches.

Nearby Cities

Rahotu, F9 2,067 pop · 9.0 mi Normanby, F9 1,090 pop · 23.3 mi Eltham, F9 2,040 pop · 23.6 mi Oakura, F9 1,650 pop · 23.9 mi Stratford, F9 6,030 pop · 24.1 mi Mangorei, F9 2,310 pop · 24.3 mi Hawera, F9 10,300 pop · 24.5 mi Inglewood, F9 3,750 pop · 26.8 mi Hurdon, F9 2,590 pop · 27.8 mi Spotswood, F9 4,060 pop · 28.1 mi Frankleigh Park, F9 3,570 pop · 28.2 mi Vogeltown, F9 6,140 pop · 28.6 mi Moturoa, F9 4,580 pop · 28.7 mi Westown, F9 4,790 pop · 28.7 mi
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