Opononi offers beachside living in the heart of the Hokianga Harbour in the north of the New Zealand’s North Island. Easy-going Opononi and nearby Omapere are places to live the beach life, hear the stories of Kupe, and zoom up and down the giant dunes and harbour of the Hokianga.

Opononi became famous in the mid 1950s because of a tame dolphin. Opo, who used to let children ride on his back, was national news.

A white sand beach stretches all the way to the Opononi Wharf. Catch a water taxi to the giant sand dunes on the other side of the harbour here. Dune surfing on boogie boards is a thrill that leaves you sandy but extremely satisfied.

From kayaking to jet-skiing, Opononi and (twin settlement) Omapere also offer a range of exciting water activities.

In the heart of the twin settlement, you’ll find Manea Footprints of Kupe, a Māori cultural centre that tells the story of great ancestor Kupe through a 4D sensory experience.