Pukekohe and Tuakau are located north of Onewhero, across the Waikato River; The name Onewhero translates from Maori as "Red Earth", which describes the soil colour typical in the Franklin region.

The Onewhero Society of Performing Arts runs a local performing arts theatre, and the local rugby club hosts community events and community board meetings.

[4] The Onewhero Golf Club is located in nearby Pukekawa.

[6] North of Onewhero, Harker Reserve[7] has 12 m (39 ft) (or 20m)[8] high Te Wai Heke O Maoa, or Vivian Falls, and a 3 km (1.9 mi) bush walkway.

[10] The waterfall goes over the edge of South Auckland volcanic field's Onewhero maar crater, falling onto Miocene aged Carter Siltstone.

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a smaller boundary, covering 205.40 km2 (79.31 sq mi).

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 56.4% had no religion, 30.5% were Christian, 1.7% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% were Hindu, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.