Ohura, largely abandoned town State Highway 4, Central North Island, NZ

Ohura’s main street is attractive with planted trees and still mowed the central median. There is civic pride in the town of just over 100 people. Originally an area of Maori settlements with walking tracks between the Taranaki coast and Taumarunui using the Ohura River valley as a main access was the beginning of human settlement. Te Rukirangi Marae and Papakainga meeting house is located in Ohura. Coal brought more than 5,000 people to the area and Ohura flourished with schools, churches, a railway station and a bustling main street.

The state owned mines closed in the early 1970’s and the town’s fortunes plummeted. Then the railway line ceased. A New Zealand ghost town where people have walked away from the main street leaving lives and possession behind. Enterprise has not died as the mobile coffee cart attests.

Check out our article about forgotten towns.

TIP: Ohura to State Highway 43 route
Ohura to Tangarakau, to junction State Highway 43 (Forgotten Highway) to Whangamomona.