Onekaka

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Onekaka

| native_name = {{native name|mi|Onekakā}}

| settlement_type = locality

| image_skyline = Onekaka Wharf 93.jpg

| image_caption = Remnants of Onekaka Wharf

| image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|40.7650|S|172.7075|E}}|zoom=11}}

| coordinates = {{coord|40|45|54|S|172|42|27|E|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = New Zealand

| subdivision_type1 = Territorial authority

| subdivision_name1 = Tasman

| subdivision_type2 = Ward

| subdivision_name2 = Golden Bay Ward

| seat_type = Electorates

| seat = West Coast-Tasman
Te Tai Tonga

| timezone1 = NZST

| utc_offset1 = +12

| timezone1_DST = NZDT

| utc_offset1_DST = +13

| postal_code_type = Postcode

| postal_code = 7182

| area_code = 03

}}

Onekaka ({{langx|mi|Onekakā}}) is a rural district on the coast of Golden Bay, New Zealand.{{cite web |url=https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/townships/onekaka/ |title=Onekaka |publisher=Tasman District Council |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207041841/https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/townships/onekaka/ |url-status=live }}

The name Onekaka derives from the Māori language Onekakā, meaning red-hot or burning sand.{{cite web |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/climate/page-2 |title=Climate – Regional climates |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |first1=Brett |last1=Mullan |first2=Andrew |last2=Tait |first3=Craig |last3=Thompson |date=12 June 2006 |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114081134/https://teara.govt.nz/en/climate/page-2 |url-status=live }}

Onekaka has a population of around 250. State Highway 60 runs through the district. Dairy farming is a major activity, occupying a large proportion of the land area. A significant number of artists and craftspeople live in the area. The Onekaka Hall Recreation Reserve is on the state highway opposite the Onekaka Iron Works Road and contains a community hall, stage and tennis court.{{cite web |url=https://places.nz/7189 |title=Onekaka Hall Recreation Reserve |date= |work=Places New Zealand |publisher= |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207043928/https://places.nz/7189 |url-status=live }} The Mussel Inn, a popular Golden Bay pub and live music venue, is a short distance north from the main settlement along the highway.{{cite news |last1=Hindmarsh |first1=Nina |title=The Mussel Inn achieves 'climate positive' status by offsetting emissions |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/123512102/the-mussel-inn-achieves-climate-positive-status-by-offsetting-emissions |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=Stuff |date=27 November 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111205030/https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/123512102/the-mussel-inn-achieves-climate-positive-status-by-offsetting-emissions |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Ridout |first1=Amy |title=Golden Bay businesses' 'nervous anticipation' as orange summer starts |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127135972/golden-bay-businesses-nervous-anticipation-as-orange-summer-starts |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=Stuff |date=3 December 2021 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093140/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127135972/golden-bay-businesses-nervous-anticipation-as-orange-summer-starts |url-status=live }}

A large ironworks was in operation in Onekaka by 1924, with a tramline that connected it to a wharf. It produced pig iron and pipes from limonite, which was mined there, and the operation employed up to 150 men. A small hydroelectric plant was built in 1929 to provide electricity for the pipe manufacturing. The works could not compete with iron produced overseas and closed in 1935. From 1937 to 1944, the hydroelectric plant produced power for Golden Bay. The plant was restarted by hydro enthusiasts in 2003 and produces {{convert|3.5|GWh}} annually for the national grid.{{cite web |url=https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/onekak%C4%81-ironworks/ |title=Onekakā Ironworks |first= |last= |date= |publisher=Engineering New Zealand |access-date=7 December 2019}}

A remnant of Onekaka Wharf and tramline remains on Washbourn Road and is a listed historic place.{{cite web |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/5126 |title=Onekaka Wharf and remnant of tramline |publisher=Heritage New Zealand |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=7 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207041829/https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/5126 |url-status=live }} The wharf was a recurring theme in the art of prominent New Zealand painter Doris Lusk and one of these paintings has inspired Charles Brasch to write a poem.{{cite web |title=Wharf at Onekaka by Charles Brasch |url=https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/note/2020/04/onekaka-wharf-by-charles-brasch |publisher=Christchurch Art Gallery |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111205030/https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/note/2020/04/onekaka-wharf-by-charles-brasch |url-status=live }} The wharf also features in a 1965 painting of Onekaka by Leo Bensemann.{{cite web |url=https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/behind-the-scenes/2011/08/burning-sands-of-onekaka |title=Burning sands of Onekaka |date=4 August 2011 |first=Peter |last=Vangioni |publisher=Christchurch Art Gallery |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114081125/https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/behind-the-scenes/2011/08/burning-sands-of-onekaka |url-status=live }}