Beachlands, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Beachlands is an outer suburb of Auckland City
, New Zealand
. It is located on the "Pohutakawa Coast" and in close proximity to Maraetai
. The two areas have a combined population of around 4422 (2001 Census).
While connected to Auckland's waste water reticulation, all the properties collect their own rain water. Some properties have tapped into the underlying aquifers fed from the adjacent Maraetai-Brookby range of hills. No potable rivers are utilised for potable water locally.
It is a half hour drive to the Manukau City Centre by car, or the same time to the Auckland City Centre by ferry. By road, central Auckland (Sky Tower) is less than 40km from central Beachlands. Many English migrants and increasing numbers of South Africans have moved into the area in recent years. Houses in old Beachlands often come with a quarter of an acre of land. The housing ranges from cliff top mansions to rambling and somewhat run down Bach
es. The newer areas of Pine Harbour, Spinnaker Bay and Pony Park contain modern houses, generally with smaller gardens than in old Beachlands. District plan minimum size is 700 square metres for a section (piece of land), although some subdivisions were approved during a brief period which saw some in-fill housing (more sections in a given area).
The village has a fast expanding decile 10 school. There is also a kindergarten and several play centres. There are no colleges for students aged 13-18 in the area but there are free buses providing access to schools such as Howick College
and Botany Downs Secondary College
as well as special character schools such as Elim Christian College
, Sancta Maria College
, Saint Kentigern College
and Star of the Sea primary school.
The fully serviced marina at Pine Harbour includes a ferry service to central Auckland with thirteen departures per day in each direction on Mondays to Fridays. A limited service also operates to Waiheke at weekends during holiday periods.
Natural attractions in the immediate area include Sunkist Bay Beach, Shelly Beach and Snapper Rock. The Domain is the small park in the centre of Beachlands on the corner of Beachlands Road, Sunkist Bay Road and Karaka Road. Offshore, Motukaraka Island (also known as Flat Top Island or Flat Island) is located near the entrance to Pine Harbour Marina and is accessible at low tide. It is a short walk from the shore.
Te Puru Sports Centre, located in Te Puru Park between Beachlands and Maraetai, is the base for the Te Puru Keas (junior cubs), Cubs and Scouts. A gym, tennis, sports fields and a large indoor arena provide a cultural centre that unites Beachlands and neighbouring Maraetai into 'the Pohutakawa Coast' community. The Te Puru Centre was initiated by local effort and fundraising and completed with a generous 50% grant from former Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis.
A walkway/cycleway runs between Maraetai and Beachlands following the coast through Omana and Te Puru.
Auckland City
Auckland City was the city and local authority covering the Auckland isthmus and most of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, in the North Island of New Zealand. On 1 November 2010 it was amalgamated into the wider Auckland Region under the authority of the new Auckland Council...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is located on the "Pohutakawa Coast" and in close proximity to Maraetai
Maraetai
Maraetai is one of the towns which make up Manukau city and is the easternmost suburb of greater Auckland in New Zealand.The closest town Beachlands lies approximately 4km to the West. Its name is Māori meaning "marae by the sea"...
. The two areas have a combined population of around 4422 (2001 Census).
While connected to Auckland's waste water reticulation, all the properties collect their own rain water. Some properties have tapped into the underlying aquifers fed from the adjacent Maraetai-Brookby range of hills. No potable rivers are utilised for potable water locally.
It is a half hour drive to the Manukau City Centre by car, or the same time to the Auckland City Centre by ferry. By road, central Auckland (Sky Tower) is less than 40km from central Beachlands. Many English migrants and increasing numbers of South Africans have moved into the area in recent years. Houses in old Beachlands often come with a quarter of an acre of land. The housing ranges from cliff top mansions to rambling and somewhat run down Bach
Bach (New Zealand)
A bach is a small, often very modest holiday home or beach house. Alternatively called a crib, they are an iconic part of New Zealand history and culture, especially in the middle of the 20th century, where they symbolized the beach holiday lifestyle that was becoming more accessible to the...
es. The newer areas of Pine Harbour, Spinnaker Bay and Pony Park contain modern houses, generally with smaller gardens than in old Beachlands. District plan minimum size is 700 square metres for a section (piece of land), although some subdivisions were approved during a brief period which saw some in-fill housing (more sections in a given area).
The village has a fast expanding decile 10 school. There is also a kindergarten and several play centres. There are no colleges for students aged 13-18 in the area but there are free buses providing access to schools such as Howick College
Howick College
Howick College is a co-educational secondary school in New Zealand situated in the Auckland suburb of Howick. -House system:There are six houses in Howick College, each house is then subdivided into 11 tutor groups....
and Botany Downs Secondary College
Botany Downs Secondary College
Botany Downs Secondary College is a coeducational secondary school in Howick, Auckland, New Zealand. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees...
as well as special character schools such as Elim Christian College
Elim Christian College
Elim Christian College is a state-integrated, co-educational, day school located in Botany Downs, a suburb of Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand....
, Sancta Maria College
Sancta Maria College, New Zealand
Sancta Maria College is a co-ed Catholic School in Auckland, New Zealand. It is named after the schooner on which Bishop Pompallier travelled around New Zealand.-The name:...
, Saint Kentigern College
Saint Kentigern College
Saint Kentigern College is a private, co-educational Presbyterian secondary school in the Pakuranga suburb of Manukau City in the Auckland region of New Zealand, beside the estuary of the Tamaki Estuary...
and Star of the Sea primary school.
The fully serviced marina at Pine Harbour includes a ferry service to central Auckland with thirteen departures per day in each direction on Mondays to Fridays. A limited service also operates to Waiheke at weekends during holiday periods.
Natural attractions in the immediate area include Sunkist Bay Beach, Shelly Beach and Snapper Rock. The Domain is the small park in the centre of Beachlands on the corner of Beachlands Road, Sunkist Bay Road and Karaka Road. Offshore, Motukaraka Island (also known as Flat Top Island or Flat Island) is located near the entrance to Pine Harbour Marina and is accessible at low tide. It is a short walk from the shore.
Te Puru Sports Centre, located in Te Puru Park between Beachlands and Maraetai, is the base for the Te Puru Keas (junior cubs), Cubs and Scouts. A gym, tennis, sports fields and a large indoor arena provide a cultural centre that unites Beachlands and neighbouring Maraetai into 'the Pohutakawa Coast' community. The Te Puru Centre was initiated by local effort and fundraising and completed with a generous 50% grant from former Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis.
A walkway/cycleway runs between Maraetai and Beachlands following the coast through Omana and Te Puru.