Ever wonder about a place where you can picnic fly a kite and explore rock pools? That place is Onehunga Bay. Onehunga Bay is a swimming beach accessed through Whitireia Park. It offers sandy shores and gentle waters.
The road through Whitireia Park leads to Onehunga Bay. Large grass areas invite visitors to picnic and fly kites. The road is narrow and steep. New drivers might want to walk down first to check it out.
Onehunga Bay has a sandy beach. The water gently shelves making it ideal for swimming. Kids enjoy exploring the rock pools. Changing sheds and toilets add to the convenience.
Let’s dive into the story behind the name Onehunga. It comes from the Maori language. It means a beach of mixed sand and mud or alluvial soil.
But wait there’s more to the story. Some say the name is Oneunga. It means one landing beach. Others say it means friable or pulverous soil. The New Zealand Geographic Board approved Onehunga as the official name in 2019.
Before Europeans arrived Onehunga saw many battles. It was a rich area. In the late 1830s Ngati Whatua settled here. They returned after the Musket Wars.
Governor Grey founded the European village of Onehunga. It was a Fencible settlement. Fencibles were former soldiers. They got land to defend the Auckland isthmus. Onehunga was the first Fencible village in New Zealand. They arrived in 1847.
Early European settlement focused on Onehunga. During the New Zealand Wars naval volunteers raided Maori territories. They were based in Onehunga.
In 1863 refugees arrived in Onehunga. They came from small European settlements. The Onehunga Ladies’ Benevolent Society cared for them. It was the oldest women’s group in New Zealand. It deregistered in 2017.
During the 19th century most shipping came to Onehunga. Ships sailed from Great Britain via South Africa and Australia. This saved days sailing around North Cape. The Manukau Harbour was dangerous. The coastal Steamship lines carried trade between Auckland and Wellington via Wanganui and Onehunga.
Onehunga was the main route to the south. Steamers from Onehunga were the fastest way to Wellington until 1908. In 1909 steamers connected Onehunga to Raglan Kawhia and Waitara. Onehunga was the Northern Steamship’s base. It served the west coast.
By World War I Onehunga was less important as a port. Ships got bigger. The Waitemata Harbour was better. The North Island Main Trunk railway finished in 1908. This hurt the coastal steamship trade.
In 1874 Onehunga had 2044 people. Wellington had 10547. This shows the importance of smaller port towns. In 1876 Onehunga became a borough. It had a mayor and 16 councillors.
The Onehunga Ironworks was there from 1883 to around 1903. It operated until around 1895. It was opposite the original railway station.
From 1885 Onehunga was known for wool. This industry helped when shipping declined. Onehunga foreshore became popular. Families came from Mount Eden Epsom and One Tree Hill. A tram route completed in 1906 made the beach accessible. Tea Rooms overlooked the harbour.
Toxic discharges from freezing works hurt Onehunga. The harbour’s water quality was poor. Fish and wildlife declined. A sewerage treatment plant in the 1960s made it worse. Water quality has improved since the freezing works closed.
In 1893 Elizabeth Yates became mayor of Onehunga. She was the first woman in the British Empire to hold such a post.
By World War I Onehunga was no longer a key port. It became a shopping and service center. It joined Auckland City in 1989.
Onehunga had Auckland’s first zoo briefly. John James Boyd created it. It closed after 11 years. The animals moved to Auckland Zoo at Western Springs.
Onehunga has undergone gentrification since the 1990s. Many bungalows have been restored.
Onehunga’s shore is modified by human use. The old volcanic basin was filled in. Shorelines were reclaimed. The New Zealand State Highway 20 extension further disrupted access to the shore in the 1970s.
A restored beach won a commitment of millions of dollars from Transit New Zealand and Auckland City Council. The goal was to create a new shoreline west of the motorway. The Taumanu Reserve opened to the public on 14 November 2015.
The Onehunga Line carries passengers to central Auckland. Electric services began in 2014. Queen St was renamed Onehunga Mall. Until 1956 a tram line ran to Onehunga.
Considered a spot for swimming and recreation Onehunga Bay is also a place steeped in history. Whether you are here to relax on the beach or learn about the area’s rich heritage Onehunga Bay offers something for everyone.