Opua

Opua is a place in the Bay of Islands in the Far North District of Northland Region in the North Island of New Zealand.

It is the first port for overseas yachts that arrive after crossing the Pacific in New Zealand. In the original city plans of 1870 the place was called " Newport ."

Opua Opua West and East had the Census 2006, together 612 inhabitants, an increase of 60 since 2001.

Education

The Opua School is a co-educational primary school for the 1st to 8th grade with a decile rating of 7 and 89 students in 2009. The school was founded in 1886. She has adjusted to the inclusion of children in the past for a few weeks or months yachts in the port and therefore has a very international for such a small community character.

Railway

The Opua Branch, a branch line, which is sometimes also considered part of the North Auckland Line, took care of the place. The first railroad to Kawakawa, was inaugurated on 7 April 1884. When the North Auckland Line was completed in 1925, ran three times a week, a passenger, the Northland Express directly from Auckland to Opua. In November 1956 this was replaced by a railcar NZR RM class with 88 seats. However, this ended in Okaihau on the Okaihau Branch. Travelers to Opua therefore had to use mixed trains of freight and passenger cars. These were also set on June 18, 1976, when the track was completely converted to freight.

As Opuas waned importance as a trading port, and the cargo volume decreased, so that the track was used in 1985 for the last time. It was then leased to the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway which ran until 201 tourist trains between Opua and Kawakawa. Then, the Land Transport Safety Authority withdrew the operating license back. Part of the route in Opua is now private property and there are ongoing negotiations with the goal to the end of 2009 to take the trains again.