Dominating this area is the hill called Tahanga, but we know it as Opita. It rises proudly, composed of fine-grained basalt. This wasn’t just any rock. It was ideal for crafting stone adzes.
Adzes made from this basalt have been found far and wide. Discoveries stretch from Houhora in the Far North to Taranaki. These tools helped early Polynesian settlers 500 to 800 years ago. They were essential for all kinds of woodworking.
Other materials were also important. Chert, found locally, served as a cutting tool. Black volcanic glass called obsidian came from afar. It journeyed from Mayor Island, Great Barrier Island, Whangamata, and Waihi.
Now, turn your gaze to the headland at the bay’s eastern end. Here stands a large, fortified pā. It features three separate ditches and banks. These defenses protected the high point. Imagine what life was like within those walls.
Terraces once held houses and cooking shelters. Deep pits stored kumara and other root crops. Opita was more than just a defensive site. It was a thriving community.
The earliest Polynesian settlers arrived here 700 to 800 years ago. Archaeological research gives us a glimpse into their diet. They enjoyed a wide variety of shellfish. Think tuatua, mussel, scallop, and cockle. They also ate cat’s eye, limpet, paua, and many gastropods.
Many sea and forest birds were on the menu. Albatross, little blue penguin, and shearwaters provided meals. Kaka and even moa were also consumed. Fur seals, elephant seals, sea lion, dog, and rat were also eaten. Fish were a staple. Snapper, leatherjacket, spotty, and kahawai were common catches. Some were caught by hook and line. Others were caught by net.
Around 1900 AD, only a few gold miners lived here. They occupied the ridge overlooking Opito Bay. A dairy farm existed at Matapaua Bay. Cream was transported to Kuaotunu by packhorse. The only real access was by sea.
The road over the Blackjack began in the 1930s. It was part of an employment scheme during the Depression. It was later upgraded during World War II. This supplied access to lookout posts above Crayfish Bay. It also served the two farms in the bay.
Until 1969, the farms relied on their own generators for power. That’s when electric power finally reached the bay. A small subdivision for seaside housing appeared in 1958. Building remained limited until after the 1973 subdivision. The construction of the bridge over the Stewart stream changed everything.
Opito Bay hosts some significant local Ngati Hei Maori history at Opito Point headland Pa. This dates back to 1500. Today, Opito Bay has a small resident population. Many visitors arrive in summer. They stay in holiday homes that range from modest to upmarket.
Opita’s history is rich and layered. It speaks of early settlers. It tells tales of defense. It whispers of resourcefulness. As you stand here, remember the generations who came before. They shaped this land. They left their mark on Opita.