Ongaonga (town)
Ongaonga is a small town located in Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. It is located 20 kilometres west of Waipawa and a similar distance from Waipukurau.
The main street of Ongaonga (Bridge St., named after the Henry Hamilton Bridge) has several historic buildings. The general store and tearooms was opened in 1899 and still provides the local community and visitors with groceries, refreshments, postal services and petrol.[1]
The village is named after the native stinging nettle Urtica ferox or Ongaonga. It contains the Ongaonga Primary School and also the Ongaonga Play Center adjoined to the town hall.[2] Ongaonga is renowned for its collection of historic buildings all built at a similar time by the Coles Brothers Builders and Joiners. The historic Coles Brothers factory is a prominent feature on the main street.
Businesses in the town include the General store and tea rooms, the Sandford Arms Tavern and the Ongaonga Golf Course which is located one kilometre south-west of the town.
History
The village was started in 1872 when Henry Hamilton Bridge (owner of Fairfeild farm) cut sections off his land. In 1874 the first house was built.[3]
References
- ↑ "Ongaonga general store, 2009 – Hawke’s Bay places – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". Teara.govt.nz. 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2013-10-28.
- ↑ "OngaOnga School | Central Hawkes Bay | New Zealand". Ongaonga.school.nz. Retrieved 2013-10-28.
- ↑ Rangeview Memories of Ongaonga by Malcolm Ross, 2012 (book)
Coordinates: 39°54′50″S 176°25′12″E / 39.914°S 176.420°E