Another early European settler, Joshua Strange Williams, abbreviated his property as "Opawa Farm".

This transformed it into an upscale residential area with a population largely consisting of factory workers and businesspeople.

Opawa and its neighbouring suburb of Hillsborough were also formerly home to multiple brickmaking and clay related-industries.

Though the suburb is predominantly residential at present time, and lies mostly within a U-shaped bend of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.

Its population largely consists of European New Zealanders, and contains numerous landmarks known for their connection with the early settlers in the area.

Notable individuals associated with the suburb include politician William Pember Reeves, wartime women's labour administrator Noeline Baker, and Anthony Wilding, one of New Zealand's most successful tennis players.

[7] The anglicised name, 'Opawa', was first known to be used by early European settler Joshua Strange Williams to address his property.

Māori lived in the marshy regions of Opawa and used its surrounding swamplands, creeks and the river as an abundant food source of duck (pārera), lamprey (kanakana) and eels (tuna).

[13][14] In 1927, a local resident of Opawa "Mr. Rees", discovered a skull and some bones, which are believed to be those of a Māori person.

A piece of pounamu (greenstone) was also discovered at the site near the Poho-Areare settlement, beside the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.

William Willock, an early settler in the Canterbury Region who arrived to Lyttelton Harbour on the Randolph in 1850.

[20] St. Martins, Hillsborough, and Murray Ansyley Hill were originally parts of Opawa, before the districts began to acquire an importance of being their own.

[24] Various names represented the area (such as Opawako and Opawaha) until 1862, when an early European settler, Joshua Strange Williams, addressed his 50 acres (20 ha) property as "Opawa Farm" to the Lyttelton Times.

[24] A number of opulent houses were initially built on large sections and was considered a desirable suburb at the time because of its location surrounded by the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River, which attracted many to settle here.

Its surroundings largely consisted of marshlands and swamplands which were heavily connected to the ecosystem of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.

[33][34] At present time, State Highway 76 (Brougham Street) and the Main South Line traverses through the suburb.

Other suburbs nearby include, Murray Aynsley Hill, Huntsbury, St. Martins, Waltham, Hillsborough, and Linwood.

[36] Notable instances of significant flooding in the area occurred in August 1941, April 1962, and January 1980.

[37] In 1986, the Woolston Cut began to allow flood waters to bypass a long loop of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.

[42] Opawa contains several landmarks and locations of historical interest, known for their connection with the early European settlers in the area: Opawa was first part of the no longer existing Heathcote County Council, and was later incorporated in to the Greater-Christchurch city area in October 1916.

Its neighbouring suburb of Woolston remained a self-governing borough until amalgamation with the city in November 1921.

[60] As of 2024[update], the current member of parliament (MP) is Duncan Webb of the Labour Party.

Morno drowned in Waikuku Beach in 1932 and his parents later bought this site and gifted it to the city in honour of his life.

[75][76] Hansen Park, a recreational area in the suburb, frequently hosts rugby, cricket, and athletics events.