Considering a place where farmland once stretched as far as the eye could see. That place is Somerville. Today, Somerville is an eastern suburb of Auckland. But its roots run deep into the area’s agricultural past.
Let’s explore Somerville’s story. It is a journey from rural landscapes to a thriving community. Before the 1990s, this area was largely rural. Houses started appearing in the 90s.
The story of Somerville begins long before European settlement. The area is part of the rohe of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. They descended from the Tainui migratory waka crew. Around 1300, they arrived here. The Mangemangeroa Valley was important to them. They knew it for the spiny dogfish. Ngāi Tai cultivated the land. They also protected it with the Tūwakamana Pā at Cockle Bay.
In 1836, a significant land deal occurred. English Missionary William Thomas Fairburn brokered a sale. It involved Tāmaki Māori chiefs. The sale covered much of South Auckland, East Auckland, and the Pōhutukawa Coast. The intention was to end hostilities. However, it’s not clear if the chiefs fully understood the agreement. Māori continued their way of life.
Howick was established in 1847. It served as a defensive outpost for Auckland. Fencibles, retired British Army soldiers, and their families settled here. Early settlers hunted in the local creeks. Fencible soldier John Nicholas bought land on Somerville Road in 1851.
The Somerville family arrived in 1863. Archibald Somerville purchased 103 acres from Thomas Brady. They named their farm Paparoa. It was the district’s name. They built a two-storied homestead. It stood at the intersection of Howick, Whitford, and East Tāmaki roads.
Locals called the Whitford Road bridge “Cowbridge” in the 19th century. A large cow skeleton lay near it from 1860 to 1900. The Somerville family originally grew wheat and oats. By 1931, they shifted to dairy and sheep farming. The family farmed here until 1988. Then, they sold the farm for redevelopment. In 1986, the Somerville family cowshed was moved to Howick Historical Village.
The first showroom for the new Somerville Estate opened in 1990. In 1994, Manukau City Council bought 22 hectares of the Somerville farm. They developed it into Mangemangeroa Reserve. It opened in 2000. Kit Wong developed Meadowlands in the early 1990s. He wanted to create a commercial and restaurant space. It would serve the Chinese New Zealander community.
Residential housing increased in the mid-1990s. Somerville Intermediate School opened in 1997.
Today, Somerville is a vibrant suburb. It blends its rich history with modern living. The Cascades Path offers an 8-kilometer cycling and walking track. It links to Lloyd Elsmore Park. Mangemangeroa Reserve protects nature. A walking track follows the coastline to Shelly Park.
Somerville’s journey reflects Auckland’s growth. It also honors the past. The suburb stands as a testament. It recognizes the people who shaped it. From the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki to the Somerville family, their stories are woven into the fabric of this community.