Lieutenant Hugh Alexander Forrest a young man from Wellington gave his life in the First World War. His sacrifice is commemorated in the name of Forrest Hill. This Auckland suburb stands as a testament to his bravery.
Forrest Hill wasn’t always a bustling suburb. It began developing in the 1960s and 70s. This was after the completion of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Northern Motorway’s terminus at Tristram Avenue made Forrest Hill attractive. Families sought convenient affordable homes.
Today over 5000 people call Forrest Hill home. A diverse community with Europeans making up roughly half the population. The best streets are on the hill’s crest. Grenada Avenue Catalina Crescent and Longwood Drive are particularly sought after. Many original homes are being renovated. Some stunning examples of 1970s architecture remain.
Forrest Hill boasts excellent transport links. Two Northern Busway stations are nearby. Sunnynook and Smales Farm offer convenient access. There are also bus services along Sunnynook Road Forrest Hill Road and other main roads. The motorway is easily accessible via Tristram Avenue.
Education is a strong focus in Forrest Hill. Four high schools serve the area. Westlake Boys and Westlake Girls High Schools are well-known. Carmel College and Rosmini College offer Catholic education. These four are the only single-sex high schools on the North Shore. This draws many families to the area. The schools are Decile 9 reflecting the affluence of the surrounding areas. Forrest Hill Primary and Sunnynook Primary provide primary education. Takapuna Normal and Wairau Intermediate schools also cater to the community’s needs.
Beyond schools Forrest Hill has numerous sporting and recreational clubs. Forrest Hill AFC provides soccer. Tennis Northern offers tennis. The Pupuke Golf Club provides a stunning course overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. Badminton North Harbour is another active club.
Forrest Hill also has convenient shopping. Major shopping centres are nearby in Milford Mairangi Bay Sunnynook and Glenfield. Four smaller neighbourhood shopping centres offer local convenience. These are in Raines Avenue at the top of Forrest Hill Road in Grenada Avenue and in William Souter Street.
Medical facilities are readily available. These include the nearby North Shore Hospital. Specialist centres provide services. The Vein and Laser Group offers varicose vein treatment and other procedures. Forrest Hill Physiotherapy offers rehabilitation services. Hands On Rehabilitation specializes in hand and upper limb injuries. The Forrest Hill Family Medical Centre provides family doctor services. North Shore Hearing offers hearing solutions. Pasifika Integrated Healthcare promotes health and wellbeing. Even Parklane Retirement Village offers a convenient location for seniors. This high-quality village is close to a major shopping centre. It is situated within a high quality residential suburb. It has 99 villas across over five hectares.
Forrest Hill a suburb born from sacrifice and grown into a thriving community. It’s a blend of history convenience and a strong sense of community. It is a beautiful place to live and visit.