Picture this. A sprawling business park. This is Highbrook Auckland. Not just any business park. Highbrook has a story woven into its very foundations. A story that goes far beyond spreadsheets and boardrooms.
Highbrook’s past stretches back centuries. Long before the sleek modern buildings. The land was part of the rohe of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. These people descend from the Tainui waka. They arrived around 1300. They settled along the Tāmaki River. They cultivated the land. Ururoa a traditional settlement within Highbrook was a place where fish were dried. This practice continued even into the late 1820s.
Then came the 1960s. Sir Woolf Fisher founder of Fisher & Paykel acquired the land. It became the Ra Ora Stud. Racehorses were bred and trained there. The Fisher family’s legacy is still visible. The historic Fisher House is now part of Highbrook Crossing. You can see historic photos of the thoroughbreds. You might even see pictures of the royals who visited.
The land wasn’t always a business hub. It was a significant transport route. Local iwi used it to move goods between Waitematā and Manukau Harbours. This was before the Great South Road was built in 1863. The Tāmaki River was heavily used. Some say up to 2000 waka used the river regularly.
In 1998 the Fisher family decided on commercial development. Business zoning was approved in 2001. Highbrook Development Ltd began building. The Highbrook motorway interchange was completed in 2007. It improved access to the area.
Today Highbrook is a thriving hub of activity. It combines business and leisure. There are parklands. There are walking and cycling tracks. There are cafes and restaurants. Goodman Property Trust manages the business park. They operate a CCTV system improving safety and security.
Highbrook is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to a rich history. It’s a blend of past and present. It’s a place where business thrives. It’s a place where people connect. It’s a place you should explore. It’s truly a remarkable place.