Okokino. That was the original Māori name for what we now know as Mellons Bay. It means “bad gusts of winds”. The name served as a warning for waka navigating the coast. We are standing in Mellons Bay, a suburb of East Auckland. It sits south of Eastern Beach and north of Howick.
Mellons Bay began its European settlement in 1847. This was when the Howick fencible settlement was established. Retired British Army soldiers were given land. They were expected to defend Auckland from attacks.
But Mellons Bay wasn’t always called that by the European settlers. The bay got its current name from William Mellon. He was an Irishman who settled here around 1856. Imagine him arriving here. What did he think of this place that would later bear his name?
Take a look around. Mellons Bay features two ridges. They join together with a wide, steep gully. This gully faces east. The bay itself looks out towards the Tāmaki Strait. Beyond that is Waiheke Island.
In 2016, a seawall was built at Mellons Bay. This was to combat erosion. Coastal living has its challenges. Protecting the land is important.
Mellons Bay covers 1.68 square kilometers. In June 2024, the estimated population was 4,080. That’s a population density of 2,429 people per square kilometer.
The suburb has seen steady growth. In 2023, the census recorded 3,990 residents. This was a slight decrease from 2018. But overall, there has been an increase since 2013.
Mellons Bay is a diverse community. In the 2023 census, 65.6% of residents identified as European. A significant percentage identified as Asian. This makes up 33.3%.
A large percentage of Mellons Bay residents have higher education. Over 38% of people have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median income here is higher than the national average.
Uxbridge Art Gallery is a key feature of Mellons Bay. It has been operating since 1981. It enriches the cultural life of the area.
Mellons Bay School is a coeducational primary school. It serves years 1 through 8. As of November 2024, it had a roll of 499 students. This shows that Mellons Bay is a popular place for families.
From its early days as Okokino, a place of warning winds. To its current status as a thriving suburb. Mellons Bay has a rich history. It is a blend of Māori heritage and European settlement. The name Mellons Bay reminds us of the individual who left his mark here.