Have you heard the tale of a name born not from grand landscapes but from heartfelt memories? That’s the story of Highbury. We are standing in the heart of Birkenhead, Auckland. Highbury wasn’t always shops and bustling streets. It started as a family’s cherished residence.
Let’s step back to early colonial Birkenhead. Thomas Forgham built a home here. His son-in-law, William Francis Hammond, an English immigrant, named it Highbury. This name wasn’t plucked from local soil. It was a tribute. Hammond named it after his parents’ townhouse in Highgate, London. It was a way to bring a piece of home to this new land.
The area we now know as Highbury refers to the older shopping centre. This is the junction of Birkenhead Avenue and Mokoia Road. Over time, Highbury evolved. It mirrored the growth of Birkenhead itself.
Birkenhead’s story stretches back to the 14th century. Tāmaki Māori settled here. Te Kawerau ā Maki built Te Matarae ō Mana. This fortified pā overlooked a vital shark fishery. European settlement began in the 1840s. By the late 19th century, Birkenhead was famous for its strawberries.
In 1884, the Chelsea Sugar Refinery arrived. It became a major employer. Birkenhead boomed. It became one of Auckland’s first boroughs in 1888. The Auckland Harbour Bridge opened in 1959. Birkenhead transformed from semi-rural to suburban. It became a city in 1978.
Highbury saw its own changes. In the 1920s, Highbury became more commercial and residential. It even housed the Birkenhead Borough Chambers. The opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959 caused a decline. Despite population growth, stores struggled. The Highbury Bypass was built in the mid-1970s. It linked Mokoia Road to Onewa Road.
A major revitalization was needed. Plans for a supermarket began in the mid-1980s. The creation of North Shore City in 1989 delayed progress. In 1990, Countdown agreed to be the anchor store. The Strawberry Fields Shopping Centre was planned.
Finally, on May 8, 1995, Highpoint Shopping Centre opened. It had a tower with views of the Waitematā and Auckland City. There were 28 shops and a food court. The mall revitalized Highbury.
The mall expanded in 1997. It was renamed Birkenhead Shopping Centre. In the mid-2000s, it became Highbury Shopping Centre. Today, Highbury Shopping Centre includes 600 carparks. It hosts 25 retailers.
Highbury stands as a testament to change. It evolved from a family home to a bustling commercial center. Its name carries a connection to a faraway place. The story of Highbury reflects the story of Birkenhead itself. A blend of history, community, and constant evolution.