Drawn to the coast and nestled close to Titirangi village lies Parau. It is a locality of West Auckland in the Auckland Region. Under the local governance of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board, Parau offers a unique blend of coastal charm and historical significance. Let’s explore its story.
Parau is a small community. Huia Road forms its main artery. Branching off are Rauhuia Crescent and two quiet cul-de-sacs. Staley Road and Shirley Road complete its residential footprint. A safe clean beach called Armour Bay graces its shores. Here, locals enjoy tennis and swimming in the Manukau Harbour. The harbour gently laps against the beach.
The landscape around Parau is equally captivating. Pōhutukawa and rata trees dominate the sheltered coastal fringe forest. As you venture to higher elevations, a warm lowland pūriri forest emerges. This lush greenery creates a picturesque backdrop for the community.
Parau’s history stretches back to the 1740s. A battle took place here between Te Taoū hapū of Ngāti Whātua and Kiwi Tāmaki of Waiohua. The battle site now lies beneath the Lower Nihotupu Reservoir.
In the mid-19th century, deforestation swept through the area. Kauri timber was the sought-after prize. Later, Duff and Marshall Laing, sons of George Laing, settled at Laingholm. They shaped the area’s development. The Armour family farmed the western shores of Big Muddy Creek. Jermyn Symonds owned the eastern shores. The farming settlement became known as Brooklyn in the late 19th century.
Duff Laing continued dairy farming in the early 20th century. The Flemish-Belgian De Brabandere family ran a sheep and dairy farm. The post office name changed to Parau in the late 1910s. Construction of the Upper Nihotupu Dam in the mid-1910s spurred growth. Parau became a settlement for workers’ families. Barges transported materials for the dam via Big Muddy Creek. A tramway then carried them to the dam site.
The dam finished in 1923. Parau transitioned into a popular destination. Holidaymakers and retirees flocked to the area as many workers’ families departed. The Big Muddy Creek and Huia valleys underwent reforestation. Native bush reclaimed the land, sparking a movement for a nature reserve. In 1940, the Auckland Centennial Memorial Park opened. It later expanded to become the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park.
A second dam, the Lower Nihotupu Dam, was built between the 1940s and 1960s. This dam flooded much of the flat land where the Laing farm had been.
Parau continues to be a desirable place to settle. As of June 2024, the estimated population was 510. With its coastal charm, rich history, and natural beauty, Parau offers a unique slice of West Auckland life. Its story is one of resilience, adaptation, and a deep connection to the land and sea.
Parau stands as a reminder of simpler times. A place where community thrives amidst the beauty of nature.