Onaero

Onaero is a settlement in northern Taranaki, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 3 close to the shore of the North Taranaki Bight, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) east of Waitara. Onaero was the site of the No. 2 Company Redoubt, a British military installation created during the Second Taranaki War by soldiers from the Tikorangi Redoubt in 1865, however it was abandoned several months later.

Onaero
Onaero Beach
Coordinates: 39°00′S 174°21′E
Country	New Zealand
Region	Taranaki Region
Territorial authority	New Plymouth District
Ward	North General Ward Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori Ward
Community	Clifton Community
Electorates	Taranaki-King Country Te Tai Hauāuru (Māori)
Government
• Territorial Authority	New Plymouth District Council
• Regional council	Taranaki Regional Council
Area
• Total	0.15 km2 (0.06 sq mi)
Population  (June 2024)
• Total	70
• Density	470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)

Demographics

Onaero Beach is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.15 km² (0.058 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 70 as of June 2024, with a population density of 467 people per km². It is part of the wider Tikorangi statistical area, which covers 167.79 km² (64.78 sq mi).

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	75	—
2013	78	+0.56%
2018	75	−0.78%
Source:

Onaero had a population of 75 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 3 people (−3.8%) since the 2013 census, and unchanged since the 2006 census. There were 39 households, comprising 39 males and 36 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 57.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 6 people (8.0%) aged under 15 years, 6 (8.0%) aged 15 to 29, 39 (52.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 21 (28.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 88.0% European/Pākehā, 16.0% Māori, and 4.0% Pacific peoples. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.0% had no religion, and 36.0% were Christian.

Of those at least 15 years old, 18 (26.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 6 (8.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 12 people (17.4%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 33 (47.8%) people were employed full-time, and 15 (21.7%) were part-time.

Further reading

General historical works

• Whilst strictly not an historical work (in the sense of being a published book/monograph), the papers of Dick Purdie Jonas (held at "Puke Ariki". Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. in New Plymouth) provide a wealth of historical, archaeological, and anthropological information about this region. See "Jonas, Dick Purdie (ARC2002-166)". Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2008.

Environment

• Bristow, Margaret (1978). Onaero-Mohikatino (i.e. Mohakatino) survey (Report). Stratford, [N.Z.]: Taranaki Catchment Commission.
• Jardine, Edward Handforth (1981). Water and land use: part I, Tikorangi-Motunui district: part II, Onaero Catchment (Report). Stratford, [N.Z.]: Taranaki Catchment Commission.

Geology

• Hayward, Bruce W. (1981). Biostratigraphy of Onaero-1 onshore well (Report). Lower Hutt, [N.Z.]: New Zealand Geological Survey, Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Maori

• See "ARC2002-166 (papers of) Jonas, Dick Purdie". Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2008.

Maps

• For a 1969 map of the scenic reserves within north Taranaki (including the Onaero River, whose estuary forms the setting for the community and its beach resort) see "ARC2005-436 Scenic Reserves". Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2008. . This is held at "Puke Ariki". Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. in New Plymouth.