Opua
Encyclopedia
Opua is a locality in the Bay of Islands
, in the sub-tropical Northland Region of New Zealand
. It is notable as the first port for overseas yachts arriving in the country after crossing the Pacific Ocean
. In the original 1870s plans for the town, it was named Newport.
The population of Opua West and Opua East combined was 612 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 60 from 2001.
of 7 and a roll of 105. The school was established in 1886. It has an open and easy-going policy of enrolling the children of overseas families mooring in the Bay for weeks or months at a time – making it a highly international school for a small community.
, a branch line
railway sometimes considered part of the North Auckland Line, formerly served the town. The first railway link, from Opua to Kawakawa
, opened on 7 April 1884. When the North Auckland Line was completed in 1925, a thrice weekly passenger express train called the Northland Express
operated directly to Opua from Auckland
. In November 1956, this was replaced by a railcar
service run by RM class
88 seaters
, but this service terminated at the other northern terminus, Okaihau
on the Okaihau Branch
. Opua passengers thus had to use mixed train
s that carried freight as well as passengers; these trains ceased on 18 June 1976 when the line became freight-only. As Opua's use as a commercial port declined, so did the freight traffic on the railway, and it was last used in 1985. The line was then leased to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway
, who operated tourist services between Opua and Kawakawa until 2001, when the Land Transport Safety Authority withdrew the line's operating licence. Part of the line in Opua is now on private land, and restoration is proceeding, with the vintage railway trust formed in 2006 about halfway towards that goal at the beginning of 2010.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area in the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei, it is close to the northern tip of the country....
, in the sub-tropical Northland Region of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is notable as the first port for overseas yachts arriving in the country after crossing the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. In the original 1870s plans for the town, it was named Newport.
The population of Opua West and Opua East combined was 612 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 60 from 2001.
Port of Entry
Opua is New Zealand's northernmost port of entry for overseas vessels, and a Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) Place of First Arrival. It is a popular destination for cruising yachts owing to its sheltered, deep water anchorage, and numerous facilities for cruisers, including the 250-berth Opua Marina, Ashby's Boatyard and Opua Cruising Club.Education
The local primary school, Opua School, is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile ratingSocio-Economic Decile
Decile, Socio-Economic Decile or Socio-Economic Decile Band is a widely used measure in education in New Zealand used to target funding and support to more needy schools....
of 7 and a roll of 105. The school was established in 1886. It has an open and easy-going policy of enrolling the children of overseas families mooring in the Bay for weeks or months at a time – making it a highly international school for a small community.
Railway
The Opua BranchOpua Branch
The Opua Branch or Otiria-Opua Industrial Line, partially still operational as the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway, is a former section of the North Auckland Line in the Northland Region of New Zealand, between Otiria and the Bay of Islands township of Opua. The first section was constructed as a...
, a branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
railway sometimes considered part of the North Auckland Line, formerly served the town. The first railway link, from Opua to Kawakawa
Kawakawa, New Zealand
Kawakawa is a small town in the Northland Region of northern New Zealand. It had a population of 1347 at the 2006 census, down from 1401 in 2001. Kawakawa developed as a service town when coal was found in the area in 1861, but there is no longer coal mining here...
, opened on 7 April 1884. When the North Auckland Line was completed in 1925, a thrice weekly passenger express train called the Northland Express
Northland Express
The Northland Express, also known as the Opua Express, was an express passenger train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between 1925 and 1956. It ran from Auckland via Whangarei to Opua in the Bay of Islands.-Operation:...
operated directly to Opua from Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. In November 1956, this was replaced by a railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
service run by RM class
NZR RM class
The RM class is the classification used by the New Zealand Railways Department and its successors given to most railcars and railbuses that have operated on New Zealand's national rail network. As NZR and its successors has operated many diverse types of railcars, alternate names have been given...
88 seaters
NZR RM class (88 seater)
The NZR RM class 88-seaters were a class of railcar used in New Zealand, known unofficially as 'articulateds', 'twinsets', 'Drewrys' and 'Fiats'. They were purchased to replace steam-hauled provincial passenger trains and mixed trains...
, but this service terminated at the other northern terminus, Okaihau
Okaihau
Okaihau is a small town in the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island, just north of Kaikohe. State Highway 1 passes through the town. The 2006 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings recorded Okaihau's population as 717, an increase of 30 people since the 2001 census.- Transport...
on the Okaihau Branch
Okaihau Branch
The Okaihau Branch, sometimes known as the Kaikohe Branch and rarely the Rangiahua Branch, was a branch line railway that joined the North Auckland Line of the national rail network of New Zealand at Otiria. It was the most northerly line in New Zealand and was intended to run all the way to Kaitaia...
. Opua passengers thus had to use mixed train
Mixed train
A mixed train is a train that hauls both passenger and freight cars or wagons. In the early days of railways they were quite common, but by the 20th century they were largely confined to branch lines with little traffic. As the trains provided passengers with very slow service, mixed trains have...
s that carried freight as well as passengers; these trains ceased on 18 June 1976 when the line became freight-only. As Opua's use as a commercial port declined, so did the freight traffic on the railway, and it was last used in 1985. The line was then leased to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway
The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust is a heritage railway in Kawakawa, in Northland in New Zealand. The railway operates on part of the former Opua Branch railway.-History:...
, who operated tourist services between Opua and Kawakawa until 2001, when the Land Transport Safety Authority withdrew the line's operating licence. Part of the line in Opua is now on private land, and restoration is proceeding, with the vintage railway trust formed in 2006 about halfway towards that goal at the beginning of 2010.