Wonder what makes Avondale tick? This suburb of Auckland boasts a history as rich and diverse as its current population.
Avondale’s story begins long before European settlers arrived. Tangata whenua knew this area as Te Whau. That’s also the name for the river marking Avondale’s western edge. Te Auaunga or Oakley Creek defines its eastern border.
These waterways hosted seasonal camps and papakainga villages. Imagine the bustling life along these shores. Now, let’s jump ahead to European settlement.
The eastern shores of the Whau River were known as Te Whau until the 1880s. John Sheddon Adam was the first European settler here in 1843. A wooden bridge spanned the Whau River by 1845.
However, larger-scale settlement waited until the late 1850s. The completion of Great North Road triggered growth. John Bollard played a key role. He arrived in 1861 and named the area Avondale. He remembered Avondale Forest in County Wicklow, Ireland. Bollard became a community leader and Member of Parliament.
Avondale expanded rapidly. Churches, stores and a public hall appeared by 1867. The North Auckland Line railway arrived in 1880. It connected Avondale to Auckland and beyond. This boosted the area’s growth.
William Hunt seized the opportunity. He opened a brickworks near the railway. It produced clay goods until 1969. Other industries thrived here. Think tanneries, mills and market gardens. Rosebank Peninsula became known for its produce. Hayward Wright developed the Hayward kiwifruit here.
June 5 1882 marked a milestone. Te Whau officially became the Avondale District. The Avondale Jockey Club formed in 1888. Races began at the Avondale Racecourse.
The racecourse served other purposes too. In 1912, it was a military training camp. Soldiers prepared for World War I here. In 1913, it briefly became an airfield. During the 1918 influenza pandemic, it served as a temporary hospital.
From the mid-1920s, Avondale transitioned to a suburb. The Avondale Borough Council considered a large loan for infrastructure. Instead, residents voted to join Auckland City. They hoped the city could better fund projects. Avondale Borough became part of Auckland City in 1927.
Avondale’s town hall was built in 1924. After the merger, it became the Hollywood Cinema. In 1963, LynnMall opened in New Lynn. This affected Avondale’s shops.
Since the 2010s, Avondale has seen redevelopment. New housing and businesses are arriving. The Whau River walkway is planned to improve connections.
And let’s not forget the Avondale spider. This harmless Australian huntsman spider arrived in the 1920s. It was first found around Avondale. Now, it’s a local symbol.
Today, Avondale is a vibrant suburb. It has schools, sports facilities, libraries and places of worship. Avondale’s journey reflects Auckland’s growth. From Maori settlements to a modern suburb. Avondale continues to evolve.