Opononi and its twin settlement Omapere provide a slice of beachside living in the heart of the Hokianga Harbour in the North of the North Island.

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. Here you can catch a water taxi to the giant sand dunes on the other side of the harbour.

Dune surfing on boogie boards is a thrill that leaves you sandy but extremely satisfied. From kayaking to jet-skiing, Omapere and Opononi also offers 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.

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.