Onekaka (Māori: Onekakā) is a rural district on the coast of Golden Bay, New Zealand.^[1]

The name Onekaka derives from the Māori language Onekakā, meaning red-hot or burning sand.^[2]

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.^[3] The Mussel Inn, a popular Golden Bay pub and live music venue, is a short distance north from the main settlement along the highway.^[4][5]

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 3.5 gigawatt-hours (13 TJ) annually for the national grid.^[6]

A remnant of Onekaka Wharf and tramline remains on Washbourn Road and is a listed historic place.^[7] 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.^[8] The wharf also features in a 1965 painting of Onekaka by Leo Bensemann.^[9]

Onekaka is in an SA1 statistical area which covers 12.61 km² (4.87 sq mi)^[10] and includes the area between Ōtere River mouth and Pariwhakaoho River mouth. The SA1 area is part of the larger Golden Bay / Mohua statistical area.^[11]

The statistical area had a population of 144 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−4.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 12 people (9.1%) since the 2006 census.^[13] There were 69 households,^[14] comprising 63 males and 81 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.78 males per female. The median age was 53.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 12 people (8.3%) aged under 15 years, 15 (10.4%) aged 15 to 29, 90 (62.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 27 (18.8%) aged 65 or older.^[13]

Ethnicities were 95.8% European/Pākehā, 2.1% Māori, 2.1% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.^[13]

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 75.0% had no religion, 10.4% were Christian and 2.1% had other religions.^[15]

Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (22.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 15 (11.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $22,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 9 people (6.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally.^[15] The employment status of those at least 15 was that 54 (40.9%) people were employed full-time, 30 (22.7%) were part-time, and 3 (2.3%) were unemployed.^[12][16]

• Richard Washbourn – naval officer^[17]