Opua, Northland Map

About Opua, Northland

Opua is a locality in the Northland Region of New Zealand. It has a population of approximately 1,280. It sits at an elevation of around 20 m above sea level. It lies approximately 50 km north-northwest of Whangarei, the regional capital. Opua is located at 35.3167°S, 174.1167°E. It observes New Zealand Time (NZST/NZDT). Statistics New Zealand classifies the area as a small urban area.

Opua rests at the mouth of a sheltered waterway, where the land curves inward to embrace the tide. It lies 49.8 km north-north-west of Whangarei (from Whangarei: bearing 338°T), and is situated 10.6 km north-east of Moerewa. The air here carries a perpetual dampness, a subtle scent of salt and the rich, dark earth of the surrounding hills. Native bush, a vibrant tapestry of greens, clings to slopes that descend towards the water's edge, their branches often dripping with moisture, especially after the frequent coastal showers. In the distance, the Omataroa Ridge forms a hazy, blue-grey backdrop, a silent sentinel to the coastal plains. The Kawakawa River, a restless artery, flows nearby, its currents dictating the ebb and flow of life along its banks.

This haven has long been a point of passage and sustenance, its history entwined with the sea and the bounty it offers. For generations, the waters of the Veronica Channel have been a highway, a place where boats of all kinds, from small fishing vessels to larger yachts, find shelter. The local economy, once heavily reliant on the timber from the dense Opua Forest, now hums with the steady rhythm of tourism and marine services, catering to the steady stream of travellers drawn to the Bay of Islands. Evidence of older ways can be glimpsed in the contours of the land, hinting at the Paringaringa Pa that once stood sentinel, a reminder of the enduring connection between people and this particular stretch of coast.

About This Opua Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Opua, Northland, New Zealand — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: -35.31667, 174.11667. Live weather conditions with current observations and a 7-day forecast are powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time New Zealand and world news feeds keep the page current, while an editorial description provides background on Opua.

Opua sits within the Northland Region. Location data is drawn from the GeoNames geographical database and verified by coordinates, ensuring the correct Opua is identified even where the name is shared across multiple New Zealand localities.