Margaret Peacock writes… This unassuming building at number 115-117 The Strand, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, was once the hub of Onetangi. It was built as a general store and dance floor a
little over 100 years ago. Its section stretched into the sandhills (and later onto the road once The Strand was built in the early 1930s as a Depression Relief project). The shop had been built near the base of the hill because the sand dunes, which were covered in lupins and other dune plants, extended most of the way back to the hill. There was as yet no Strand.

Onetangi can now boast a fledgeling community fruit forest after members of the Onetangi Residents’ Association turned out in force to plant trees donated by the Waiheke Local Board. A total of 22 trees – including citrus, stone and pip fruit – were planted on reserve land adjoining Onetangi Community Hall.