Last updated October 2026
Ōmiha is a quiet rural settlement on the southwest coast of Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, also widely known as Rocky Bay. Spread across two small valleys facing the sheltered waters of Ōmiha Bay and Whakanewha Bay, it offers a slower island pace away from the busier western villages.
The settlement grew from a 1920s farm subdivision and retains a residential, bush-edged character with boat access, historic boat sheds and close links to Whakanewha Regional Park.
Visitors and residents reach it by ferry to Matiatia followed by bus or car along O’Brien Road. It sits within the Waiheke Local Board area and remains a peaceful base for exploring southern Waiheke.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 540, down 4% since 2018
- Land area
- 0.74 km² (74 ha)
- Location
- 26.6 km east of central Auckland
- Council
- Auckland Council
- Ward or local board
- Waitematā and Gulf ward; Waiheke Local Board
- Getting there
- Passenger ferry from downtown Auckland to Matiatia Wharf (about 35–40 minutes), then Auckland Transport bus route 502 (Matiatia to Rocky Bay / Ōmiha) or drive via Ocean View Road, Onetangi Road and O’Brien Road. School bus services also run to and from Rocky Bay.
- Main shopping
- Very limited local retail; day-to-day shopping is in nearby Onetangi, Ostend or Oneroa.
- Schools
- No schools within Ōmiha itself. School buses serve Waiheke Primary School, Te Huruhi Primary School and Waiheke High School.
- Nearby landmarks
- Whakanewha Regional Park (Gordons Road), Ōmiha Bay / Rocky Bay with boat ramp and historic boat sheds, Mary Wilson Reserve area, and the wider southern coastline toward Te Whau.
Who Lives in Ōmiha
About 540 residents in 240 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
About Ōmiha
Ōmiha (official orthography confirmed with macron) is a compact rural settlement on the southwest side of Waiheke Island. It occupies two small valleys that open onto Ōmiha Bay and the larger Rocky Bay / Whakanewha Bay shoreline.
The setting is residential and low-key, with houses tucked among bush and farmland remnants, narrow local roads and direct access to sheltered coastal water.
The settlement began when the O’Brien brothers subdivided part of their farm between 1922 and 1927 and marketed sections as the Omiha Beach Estate. The name Ōmiha appears on early survey plans and Māori Land Court records linked to the Kauakarau Block.
Ngāti Paoa have supported retention of the Māori name; one explanation links it to an old whare associated with a local person named Miha (or “belonging to Miha”).
Locals have long also used the name Rocky Bay for the locality and bay, and both names appear on signs and maps. A 2017 proposal to change the official locality name to Rocky Bay was not adopted; the macronised form Ōmiha was confirmed as official.
Today Ōmiha functions as a quiet residential pocket rather than a commercial centre. Facilities are modest: a boat ramp at Ōmiha Bay, historic boat sheds along Pohutukawa Avenue that are a well-known photographic landmark, picnic and toilet facilities near the bay, and a small playground area.
The settlement sits close to Whakanewha Regional Park, which protects regenerating forest, wetland and a long sheltered beach. An argillite outcrop of geological interest is recorded in the area. The overall feel is of a small island community oriented toward the water and bush rather than shops or nightlife.
Because it lies further east and south than the main ferry-side villages, Ōmiha sees fewer day-trippers. That makes it appealing for people seeking a calmer base while still being able to reach Matiatia, Oneroa and the island’s vineyards and beaches by bus or car.
Getting Around
Access starts with the regular passenger ferry service between Auckland’s downtown terminal and Matiatia Wharf on western Waiheke. From Matiatia, Auckland Transport bus route 502 runs to Rocky Bay / Ōmiha, with stops including McMillan Road. Driving is straightforward via the main island roads that connect through Onetangi and then south on O’Brien Road.
Local roads within the settlement (Valley Road, McMillan Road, Wairua Road, Pohutukawa Avenue and others) are often narrow, some unsealed, and carry low speed limits. School bus routes specifically serve Rocky Bay for travel to Waiheke Primary School, Te Huruhi Primary School and Waiheke High School. There is no train or ferry terminal in Ōmiha itself.
Getting Outdoors
The standout outdoor asset is Whakanewha Regional Park at 75 Gordons Road, Ōmiha. The park covers a large area of southern Waiheke coastline and includes mature and regenerating native forest (taraire, pūriri, kahikatea and other species), a significant wetland that supports bittern, banded rail and fernbird, walking tracks, picnic sites and a long sheltered beach at Rocky Bay / Whakanewha Bay.
Poukaraka Flats Campground within the park is Auckland Council’s bookable vehicle-based and tent camping area on the island. Dogs and other pets are prohibited at bookable sites (registered aid dogs excepted).
Ōmiha Bay itself offers a concrete boat ramp, moorings, sandy/shelly shore, shade, a simple playground element and basic picnic facilities. The historic boat sheds nearby are a distinctive coastal feature. The wider southern coast provides quieter swimming and walking options than the northern beaches.
History and Heritage
The land has a long history of Tāmaki Māori occupation, with shell middens and a pā site recorded in the Whakanewha area. European farming followed, including the O’Brien family’s sheep farm. Subdivision of the Omiha Beach Estate in the mid-1920s created the residential settlement that exists today.
Whakanewha land was later acquired for regional park purposes and the park was formally opened after restoration and track development.
The dual naming of the locality (Ōmiha and Rocky Bay) reflects both the original subdivision marketing and long-standing local usage; community and iwi input helped keep the Māori name official. The boat sheds and bay remain tangible links to the area’s working waterfront past.
Near Ōmiha
Just outside Ōmiha, within 10 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia: Ōmiha: Concise overview of the settlement, name history, location and census context on Waiheke Island.
Auckland Council: Whakanewha Regional Park: Official park details, location at Gordons Road Ōmiha, camping and picnic booking information, and visitor rules.
Auckland Council: Waiheke Local Board: Local governance information for Waiheke Island and the inner Hauraki Gulf islands, including plans and contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ōmiha?
Ōmiha is a rural settlement on the southwest coast of Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, roughly six kilometres southeast of Oneroa and facing Rocky Bay / Whakanewha Bay.
Is Ōmiha the same as Rocky Bay?
Yes. Rocky Bay is the widely used local name for the same locality and the bay; Ōmiha is the official name. Both appear on signs and maps.
How do I get to Ōmiha from Auckland?
Take a passenger ferry from downtown Auckland to Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke, then catch bus 502 toward Rocky Bay or drive via the main island roads and O’Brien Road.
Are there shops in Ōmiha?
Retail is very limited. Most people shop in Onetangi, Ostend or Oneroa for groceries and services.
What is there to do outdoors near Ōmiha?
Whakanewha Regional Park offers beach swimming, walking tracks, picnic areas and camping. Ōmiha Bay has a boat ramp, moorings and simple picnic facilities, plus the historic boat sheds.
Can I take a dog to Whakanewha Regional Park?
Dogs and other pets are prohibited at Auckland Council regional park bookable sites and accommodation, with an exception for registered aid dogs (advise staff when booking).
Are there schools in Ōmiha?
There are no schools inside the settlement. Children travel by school bus to Waiheke Primary School, Te Huruhi Primary School and Waiheke High School.
What does the name Ōmiha mean?
Ngāti Paoa have supported keeping the name. Explanations include a link to an old whare associated with a person named Miha, or “belonging to Miha”. The macronised spelling is the official form.
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Explore Auckland only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Ōmiha is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.