Originating from the mid-1880s, Belmont’s story is more than just its charming streets and scenic views. The name Belmont translates to “Beautiful Mountain” in French. But where did this beautiful name come from?
The most likely explanation traces back to Reverend Roberts. He owned property on Roberts Avenue. His land included a racing stable, which he named after Belmont Park racing track in New York. This racing connection gave the suburb its distinctive name. Alternatively, some believe Belmont got its name from Belmont Heim. This was the home of the Bull family.
Belmont is an isthmus. It sits on the Devonport Peninsula of the North Shore. The suburb nestles between Shoal Bay and the Rangitoto Channel of the Hauraki Gulf. Hauraki borders it to the north. Bayswater sits to the southwest. Narrow Neck lies to the southeast. Saint Leonards Beach is just north of this charming suburb.
Centuries ago, Maori settlement began here around the 13th or 14th centuries. The Devonport-Takapuna area became an early settlement. It was known to be settled by the Tāmaki Māori ancestor Peretū. Two traditional names link to Belmont. Wai-o-Roka is the small tidal inlet of Shoal Bay. It separates Belmont from Hauraki. Takawhenua means “The Fall of the Land.” This area lies along the cliffs of the northern shores.
In April 1841, the Crown purchased the Belmont area. This was part of the Mahurangi Block. European farmers arrived in the late 1840s. By 1859, a brickworks was operating on the Shoal Bay coast. By the 1860s, Belmont became a key spot for kauri gum diggers. They could uncover valuable resources there.
By the late 1880s, Takapuna blossomed as a tourist destination. Grand summer residences popped up. One such residence was Earnscliffe. This Victorian manor was built in 1882 for journalist Charles Robert Williamson.
In 1910, a private tramway started. It carried passengers from Milford to the Bayswater ferry. This boosted suburban growth in Takapuna and Belmont. However, competition made the tramway unpopular. It closed in 1927.
Belmont has several notable places. St Margaret’s Church opened in May 1910. Belmont Primary School began in 1912. It first operated from St Margaret’s church hall. A dedicated school building opened in 1913. Takapuna Grammar School opened its Belmont campus in 1927. During the 1950s, the government built housing for Devonport Naval Base staff. Belmont Intermediate School was built in 1952. St Luke’s Catholic church followed in 1960. In 1992, the Rose Centre performing arts theatre was founded. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei developed Oneoneroa in the early 2020s. It is a housing development on the coast of Shoal Bay.
Today, Belmont continues to evolve. It balances respect for its past with progress toward the future. Its history is etched into its landscapes and street names. It is a beautiful place to explore and live.