The salty tang of the sea air. The cry of a distant gull. Welcome to Schnapper Point.
Schnapper Point a small but significant suburb in Auckland’s North Shore. Its name a testament to the abundant snapper once found in the waters of Lucas Creek. This creek forms the western boundary of Schnapper Point. It’s a waterway steeped in history. Not just the history of plentiful fish. But also a rich Maori past.
For centuries before European arrival. Schnapper Point’s location at the head of Lucas Creek was important. It was a vital transportation node for the Tu0101maki Mu0101ori. They used the creek and an ancient path. This path connected Lucas Creek to the Okura River and Long Bay. It served as a portage for waka. They hauled their canoes overland between the waterways. Archaeological sites along the creek’s banks. These sites bear silent witness to their presence.
European settlement brought change. Kauri logging depleted the forests. Kauri gum digging then became the primary industry. A gum digging hut stood at Schnapper Point in the mid-19th century. It served itinerant diggers. They sought the valuable resin. This was sold at a nearby store. This store also at Schnapper Point was established around the late 1840s. The area remained largely rural until the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959.
The suburb of Schnapper Rock wasn’t officially recognized until 2007. The name was chosen by property developers. However it’s a name with roots. It connects to the area’s rich fishing history. It is also linked to North Shore Memorial Park. This cemetery opened in 1974 and sits on a considerable piece of land.
Today Schnapper Point is a vibrant residential area. Its history echoes in the name. The name lingers in the salty air. It lives in the stories whispered by Lucas Creek. It reminds us of those who came before. Those who fished and traded. Those who navigated the waters. Those who left their mark on this special piece of land. Schnapper Point. A place where past and present meet. A place you can feel the history of.