Blockhouse Bay

What whispers does the wind carry across Blockhouse Bay? Blockhouse Bay. A name that echoes with history, nestled on the Manukau Harbour’s edge. Right here, where land meets water, Māori once hauled their waka between harbors, a portage known as Te Tōanga Waka. This strategic pathway predates European arrival, highlighting the area’s significance. Blockhouse Bay wasn’t always known by this name. It was once Avondale South, and even earlier, part of Waikomiti. The current name, officially adopted in 1948, comes from a defensive structure built during the New Zealand Wars. In 1860, fear gripped Auckland. The Taranaki land war raged, and anxieties of its northward spread led to the construction of a blockhouse overlooking Te Whau Bay. The strategic location offered clear views of the Manukau Heads, a potential attack route. It also stood near the Whau Portage, favored by northern Māori tribes. This blockhouse, manned by British regiments, stood as a silent sentinel, never witnessing conflict. Later rented out, it succumbed to fire and demolition, its trenches fading into memory. Blockhouse Bay transformed. From a quiet beachside retreat in the early 1900s, it blossomed into a popular holiday destination in the 1920s. Families traversed rough roads to savor the summer by the sea. During the 1930s depression, workers shaped the beachfront, leaving behind enduring stone walls and pathways. Today, Blockhouse Bay remains a vibrant community, a blend of past and present. It’s a place where the echoes of Māori portages and colonial anxieties intertwine with the laughter of children playing in Terry Street Park.