Greenlane is a suburb

Suburb

The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...

 of Auckland, 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...

.

The Greenlane shops are the main shopping centre for the suburb of Epsom and are situated at the intersection of Manukau Road and Green Lane West. On the Northern side of Green Lane are located the Alexandra Raceway and the Epsom Showgrounds, on the southern side is Greenlane Hospital, Cornwall Park

John Logan Campbell

Sir John Logan Campbell was a prominent New Zealand public figure. He was the son of Doctor John Campbell and his wife Catherine. He was described by his contemporaries as "the father of Auckland".- Early life:...

, and One Tree Hill Domain

One Tree Hill, New Zealand

One Tree Hill is a 182 metre volcanic peak located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is an important memorial place for both Māori and other New Zealanders...

.

The Greenlane shops developed during the 20th century servicing the needs of the local community as well as the visitors to the Raceway, Showgrounds, Hospital, and parks. There was also a Tramway terminal located here from 1902 until 1956. The make up of the local businesses have changed over the years; currently Greenlane is a centre for the antiques trade as well as being the location of a good selection of restaurants and bars. The 1920s Lido Cinema still operates, one of the few stand alone suburban cinemas to do so. The area is served by good State secondary schools including Auckland Grammar School

Auckland Grammar School

Auckland Grammar School is a state secondary school for years 9 to 13 boys in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,483 in 2008, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Tibbs' House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand...

, Epsom Girls Grammar School  and St Peter's College

St Peter's College, Auckland

St Peter's College is a Catholic college for year 7 to 13 boys . The school, located in Auckland, is one of the largest Catholic schools in New Zealand and is an integrated school under an integration agreement entered into by the Catholic Bishop of Auckland and the Government of New Zealand in...

.

The Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland

Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland

The Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland is a diplomatic missions of the People's Republic of China at 588 Great South Road in the Greenlane suburb of Auckland City, New Zealand.The consulate serves cities in the Auckland Region, Waikato Region, and the Northland...

 is located at 588 Great South Road in Greenlane.

The suburb itself is one word (Greenlane), whereas the road is two (Green Lane).

History

From the 1840s until the 1890s Greenlane was noted for its rich pasture land which supported both dairy herds and grain crops. Initially large country houses and farms dotted the landscape but from the 1890s onwards suburban development spread southwards from Newmarket across the fields of Epsom. Since the early 1990s there has been a considerable amount of "infill" housing with clutches of townhouses altering the streetscapes in some parts of Greenlane.

The broad, flat pastureland here at the intersection of Greenlane and Manukau Roads was used for sporting events from the 1850s onwards but the Alexandra Raceway and Epsom Showgrounds were only formally established around 1900. The Alexandra Raceway was named after the then Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra), and specialises in Trotting. The Epsom Showgrounds have been the site of many trade exhibitions and agricultural shows, especially the Annual Royal Easter Show

Royal Easter Show

Royal Easter Show may refer to:* Sydney Royal Easter Show* Auckland Royal Easter Show...

.

The Greenlane Hospital is a complex of several buildings dating from as early as the 1870s to the present day. One of the buildings was donated by Edward Costley, an Auckland businessman who bequeathed money for many charitable works. The National Women's Hospital dates from the late 1950s and was an icon of modernity in its day.

Greenlane falls across two Parliamentary electorates for Parliamentary representation, Epsom

Epsom, New Zealand

Epsom is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It is located in the centre of the Auckland isthmus between Mount Eden and One Tree Hill, south of Newmarket, and five km south of the city centre.-Notable features:...

 and Maungakiekie. It also falls across two council wards for Auckland City Council representation, Hobson

Hobson

Hobson may refer to:People with the surname Hobson:*Hobson In places:* Hobson, County Durham, a village in England* Hobson, Montana, United States* Hobson, Texas, United States...

 and Maungakiekie Ward for council representation. The MP for Greenlane (Epsom) is Rodney Hide

Rodney Hide

Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of...

 from ACT New Zealand, and Mark Gosche

Mark Gosche

Mark James Gosche is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. He was born in Auckland to Samoan parents, and has been active in New Zealand's Pacific Islander community.-Member of Parliament:...

 from Labour for Greenlane (Maungakiekie). Its local council representatives are from Citizens and Ratepayers Now

Citizens and Ratepayers Now

Citizens & Ratepayers is an established right-leaning local body ticket in Auckland, New Zealand. The Citizens and Ratepayers Association was formed in 1937 with a view to control the Auckland City Council and prevent the left-leaning Labour Party from control...

 for Hobson Ward, and Labour

New Zealand Labour Party

The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....

 , Citizens and Ratepayers Now

Citizens and Ratepayers Now

Citizens & Ratepayers is an established right-leaning local body ticket in Auckland, New Zealand. The Citizens and Ratepayers Association was formed in 1937 with a view to control the Auckland City Council and prevent the left-leaning Labour Party from control...

, and Independent for Maungakiekie Ward.