Onerahi, for half a century known as Grahamtown, is a seaside suburb of Whangārei, New Zealand's northernmost city. It is the city's only seaside suburb.[3] It is located 9 km south-east of the centre of Whangārei and is principally a peninsula in the Whangārei Harbour, which empties into the Pacific Ocean.
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "long beach" for Onerahi.[4]
The name however recalls the tale twin sisters of Reipae and Reitū, the "rahirahi" referring to "overhearing". With Reipae believed to have alighted here, after over hearing Reitū and their kārearea discussing plans to solely marry the Te Rarawa chief, Ueoneone.[5]
The suburb's main feature is Whangārei Airport, located on the large flat area at the southern end of the suburb, which was built up using material from the site of a former Māori pā (fortress) just to the north.
There are two concentric roads around the seaward plateau; the upper one surrounds the airport, and the lower follows the coast.[6]
The suburb is connected to Whangārei via the Onerahi Causeway.
Close to the suburb in the harbour is Motu Matakohe or Limestone Island, now being managed to restore its ecosystems. Public transport in Onerahi solely consists of bus services, the suburb is serviced by Citylink route 2 bus via Riverside Drive to Whangārei City.
History
View.of Onerahi Wharf circa 1912
The land for the town was purchased by Henry Walton and William Smellie Graham from Te Tirarau in the mid-1860s. It was then called Kaiwaka Point, but they renamed it Grahamtown. In 1912 it was renamed again to Onerahi (one – which means "beach" and rahi – which can be translated to mean "long and wide") to prevent a conflict with Grahamstown in the Coromandel.[7]
From 1911 to 1933, Onerahi was also served by a branch linerailway from the North Auckland Line known as the Onerahi Branch. It was built to provide access to a wharf in Onerahi and when coastal shipping declined severely in the 1930s, the railway was closed. Part of its formation has been retained as a walking track.
Whangārei Airport was established in May 1939 as an RNZAF training base. It was later converted to civilian use with commercial flights commencing in 1947, and has served the Whangārei District since.[8]
Demographics
Onerahi covers 5.60 km2 (2.16 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 6,830 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,220 people per km2.
Onerahi had a population of 6,411 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 90 people (−1.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 621 people (10.7%) since the 2013 census. There were 3,048 males, 3,342 females and 15 people of other genders in 2,454 dwellings.[11] 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,275 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,068 (16.7%) aged 15 to 29, 2,664 (41.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,404 (21.9%) aged 65 or older.[10]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 73.8% European (Pākehā); 33.6% Māori; 5.0% Pasifika; 5.3% Asian; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.9% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.8%, Māori language by 7.3%, Samoan by 0.3%, and other languages by 9.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 19.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Of those at least 15 years old, 726 (14.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,883 (56.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,296 (25.2%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $41,500 nationally. 315 people (6.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,325 (45.3%) people were employed full-time, 651 (12.7%) were part-time, and 147 (2.9%) were unemployed.[10]
Onerahi Primary School is a contributing primary (years 1–6) school[15] with a roll of 433 as of August 2024.[16] The school was established in 1893.[17]
Raurimu Avenue School is a full primary (years 1–8) school[18] with a roll of 48 as of August 2024.[16]
Both schools are coeducational.
Sport
The Onerahi Central Cricket Club celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2006, highlighted by a re-run of their first game against Whangārei Boys' High School with best-of selections.[19]
