Goodwood Heights

Gazing upon Goodwood Heights, one might wonder about its intriguing name. Goodwood Heights, a suburb nestled in Auckland, New Zealand, boasts a history as rich as the volcanic soil it stands upon. The area, located about 20 kilometers southeast of Auckland’s CBD, was once a part of Manukau City before the great Auckland council merger in 2010. Goodwood Heights holds a fascinating blend of historical significance and modern development. Did you know that in 1863, during the tumultuous Invasion of the Waikato, a military camp called St John’s Redoubt was established right here in Goodwood Heights? Built to protect vital supply lines along Great South Road, the redoubt luckily never saw battle. The troops withdrew the following year, and the site eventually became a historic reserve in 1960. Goodwood Heights wasn’t always a bustling suburb. The first signs of suburban life emerged in 1952 when farmer Cameron Matthews began selling plots of land along Redoubt Road. Development continued in the 1970s with the Smyth family subdividing their property and Manukau City Council’s ambitious Manurewa East project, which laid the groundwork for several suburbs, including Goodwood Heights. The exact origin of the name “Goodwood Heights” remains a mystery, but its first recorded use was for a subdivision built adjacent to Totara Park in the late 1970s. Goodwood Heights and its neighbor, Totara Heights, were unique in their early development, preserving significantly more native bush than other South Auckland subdivisions. As you explore Goodwood Heights today, you’ll find streets named after ornamental trees and even aircraft manufacturers. This unique touch is a nod to the suburb’s location under the flight path of Auckland Airport. In 1988, Everglade Primary School opened its doors, further solidifying Goodwood Heights as a vibrant community. More recently, in 2020, construction began on the Auckland New Zealand Temple, the second temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand, adding another layer of cultural significance to Goodwood Heights. Today, Goodwood Heights is a multicultural community of approximately 4,700 residents. It’s home to Aronia Park, with its vibrant rainbow playground, and the St Johns Redoubt Historic Reserve, recently given the Māori name Tū-ngā-waka, meaning “Standing Canoes”, to commemorate those lost during the New Zealand Wars. Goodwood Heights. A place where history whispers through the leaves of ancient trees and the roar of jet engines overhead. A place where modern life thrives amidst the echoes of the past.