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135-605: Ports of Auckland Limited ( POAL ), the successor to the Auckland Harbour Board , is the Auckland Council -owned company administering Auckland's commercial freight and cruise ship harbour facilities. As the company operates all of the associated facilities in the Greater Auckland area (excluding the ferry terminals and local marinas for recreational yachting ), this article is about both

270-415: A Productivity Commission report calling for greater flexibility in the ports industry, and the need to compete with its nearest rival, Port of Tauranga . The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) later became involved, warning that Ports of Auckland could be declared the world's first ' port of convenience '. Port workers in other parts of

405-423: A Royal Commission on Auckland Governance to report on what restructuring should be done. The report was released on 27 March 2009 and the government subsequently announced that a "super city" would be set up to include the full metropolitan area under an Auckland Council with a single mayor and 20–30 local boards, by the time of the local body elections in 2010, though it also changed some key recommendations of

540-647: A Mana . During the early 1820s, most Māori of the North Shore fled for the Waikato or Northland due to the threat of war parties during the Musket Wars . Te Mātārae ō Mana and Rongohau were raided and destroyed in a night raid around the year 1823. When Tāmaki Māori returned in greater numbers to the Auckland Region, Te Mātārae ō Mana and Rongohau were occupied again, until

675-568: A chairperson appointed by the mayor and a subset of the governing body members. The following council took office during October 2022: Auckland Council has substantive CCOs and a number of smaller ones. Eke Panuku Development Auckland resulted from a merging of Auckland Council Property Ltd and Waterfront Auckland on 1 September 2015. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited resulted from a merging of Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) on 1 December 2020. Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL)

810-476: A commitment to be Zero Emission by 2040 and recently signed a contract with Dutch company Damen Shipyards to buy the world's first full-size, fully electric port tug. The new tug, a Damen RSD-E Tug 2513 to be delivered in 2021, will have a 70 tonne bollard pull, the same as the port's strongest diesel tug Hauraki, also built by Damen. There is a second smaller port at Onehunga on the Manukau Harbour, on

945-460: A farm and manor near Duck Creek in the 1850s, but struggled to establish a farm. The poor soil led to starvation, and the servants needing to share food with the de Jersey Grut family members, and cattle would often wander off into the bush. The de Jersey Grut family left in 1865, and had their house shipped to Orewa . Henry James Hawkins, established a fruit orchard in the Birkenhead area in

1080-454: A further dispute emerged. As set out in the third bill establishing the future Auckland Council, major functions (such as transport, water services and Auckland waterfront development) were to be devolved into council-controlled organisations (CCOs) controlled by unelected boards, operating at "arm's length" from Council. This separation, as argued by backers of the move, had become necessary due to "local politicians [having] failed to deliver

1215-487: A mostly centre-left council, with Len Brown as mayor. Brown was re-elected in October 2013 , again with a largely supportive council. The 2016 mayoral election was won by Labour MP Phil Goff , who had a landslide victory over his nearest rivals, Victoria Crone and future Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick . Goff won re-election in the 2019 mayoral election and chose not to run in the 2022 mayoral election , which

1350-549: A new supermarket at Highbury, to counteract commercial decline. In 1989, Highbury became a part of North Shore City , and the new city council began planning the Strawberry Fields Shopping Centre from 1990, with Countdown as an anchor store. On 8 May 1995, the shopping centre formally opened, now named Highpoint Shopping Centre. In 1997 after expansions, the mall was renamed Birkenhead Shopping Centre, and later renamed to Highbury Shopping Centre in

1485-476: A number of ways, and "could not stand". They also noted that saddling the super city with this system would be the most serious handicap, and a recipe for a "frustrated and disappointed citizenry". Several editorialists went even further and accused the ACT party, and especially Rodney Hide, of preparing Auckland's assets for a sell-off, and of setting up the structure to allow it even before Aucklanders got to vote on

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1620-447: A population density of 2,372 people per km . Before the 2023 census, Birkenhead had a larger boundary, covering 4.63 km (1.79 sq mi). Using that boundary, Birkenhead had a population of 10,536 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 894 people (9.3%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 1,230 people (13.2%) since the 2006 census . There were 3,780 households, comprising 5,022 males and 5,514 females, giving

1755-589: A port-of-convenience on 9 March. A protest march down Auckland's Queen Street was staged on 10 March, with turnout estimated between 2,000 and 5,000. In response, the Port issued a full-page letter in The Sunday Star-Times , arguing that the port workers earned on average $ 91,000 for a 26-hour working week. These figures have been disputed by the Maritime Union of New Zealand, which accused

1890-478: A post office in 1884. The new wharf allowed orchardists in Birkenhead to better transport produce to the Auckland market, further helped by larger orchardists building their own jetties on Oruamo or Hellyers Creek in the north. In 1886, the Birkenhead and Northcote Fruitgrowing Association was formed. By the 1880s, itinerant gum diggers roamed Birkenhead, searching for kauri gum . Birkenhead residents loathed

2025-522: A quay along Customs Street and a breakwater at Point Britomart . After the Auckland Harbour Board was established in 1871 by the council, further wharves were added and massive reclamation works were undertaken, eventually making Freemans Bay and Mechanics Bay lose their natural shoreline, while Commercial Bay (today the site of much of the Auckland CBD and the Auckland waterfront) was totally lost to history. The newly reclaimed land allowed

2160-483: A salary for a local board member of around $ 37,100 was insufficient for what amounted to a full-time position. Numerous residents of and (to some degree) the councils of the Franklin and Rodney Districts opposed their inclusion in the new supercity, and instead campaigned for retention of their councils, or inclusion with other, more rural-focused councils in the north (such as merging the areas north of Puhoi with

2295-583: A series of articles and editorials in March 2010 criticising the proposed move, which was described as "The lockout of Auckland", arguing that elected councillors would have little control over the day-to-day decisions, and potentially even over massive changes such as Auckland's waterfront development or the city's transport focus. The main Herald editorials noted that the CCO concept introduced "undemocratic elements" in

2430-479: A sex ratio of 0.91 males per female, with 1,836 people (17.4%) aged under 15 years, 2,037 (19.3%) aged 15 to 29, 5,010 (47.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,653 (15.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 75.7% European/ Pākehā , 6.7% Māori , 2.9% Pacific peoples , 20.0% Asian , and 3.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 39.0, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer

2565-476: A survey of industry leaders. According to an economic impact assessment, 173,000 jobs in the Auckland Region rely on trade through the ports and the ports affect a third of the local economy. Ports of Auckland is 100% held by the Auckland Council . Annual dividends to Auckland Regional Holdings and its predecessors in the 15 years to 2006 totalled NZ$ 500 million. Auckland's trade, by virtue of being

2700-545: A teenaged hacker . Although it was not the first hacking incident to be reported in New Zealand, it was one of the first to feature in a major TV news story. In 1988 the Auckland Harbour Board and operations of the port were corporatised and handed over to a newly formed company, Ports of Auckland, by Act of Parliament. The change in management increased productivity, but also led to substantial cuts in

2835-403: A waterfront village, apartments and shops in a style similar to Wynyard Quarter . The sale did not go through and in 2016 it was announced that the port would be sold to NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), which wanted to build an interchange for a $ 1.8 billion east–west motorway link on the land. It was claimed that NZTA had not yet finalised its plans for the interchange and any land remaining after it

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2970-532: A year. On 30 June 2020, Ports of Auckland deployed a graphical planning solution. In August 2020 a falling container killed worker Pala'amo Kalati. A crane was lifting two containers, when a third container was accidentally lifted, and fell on Kalati. On 1 December 2023, Ports of Auckland was ordered to pay $ 561,000, along with $ 90,000 to Maritime New Zealand . There were also deaths in April 2022. On 7 May 2024, Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown abandoned plans to sell

3105-721: Is a large container and international trade port on the Waitematā Harbour, lying on the central and eastern Auckland waterfront (north of and adjacent to the Auckland CBD ). The 55 hectares (140 acres) of wharves and storage areas (mostly for containers, cars and other large shipments) are almost exclusively situated on reclaimed land , mostly in the former Commercial Bay and Official Bay , and in Mechanics Bay . Wharves (from west to east) are: Three new large container cranes arrived in 2018 from Chinese firm Zhenhua Port Machinery Co. for NZ$ 20 million each, now installed at

3240-512: Is a suburb located within Birkenhead, which refers to the older shopping centre at the junction of Birkenhead Avenue and Mokoia Road. The name Highbury was the name of Thomas Forgham's family residence, that was constructed in early colonial Birkenhead. The name of the house was chosen by English immigrant William Francis Hammond, Forgham's son-in-law, in memory of Highbury, Hammond's parents' townhouse in Highgate , London. The highest point in

3375-639: Is a suburb of Auckland , in northern New Zealand . It is located on the North Shore of the Waitematā Harbour , 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northwest of the Auckland City Centre . The area has been settled by Tāmaki Māori since at least the 14th century, and is the location of Te Matarae ō Mana , a fortified pā for Te Kawerau ā Maki that overlooked an important seasonal shark fishery. European settlement in Birkenhead began in late

3510-553: Is primarily uplifted Waitemata Group sandstone, that was deposited on the sea floor during the Early Miocene , between 22 and 16 million years ago. Prior to human settlement, the inland North Shore was a mixed podocarp-broadleaf forest dominated by kauri . Pōhutukawa trees dominated the coastal margins of Birkenhead. Some kauri remnant forest remains in areas around Birkenhead, including Kauri Park, Le Roys Bush , Kauri Point Domain, Kauri Glen and Eskdale Reserve. Highbury

3645-568: Is the local government council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority that has the responsibilities, duties and powers of a regional council and so is a unitary authority , according to the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, which established the council. The governing body consists of a mayor and 20 councillors, elected from 13 wards. There are also 149 members of 21 local boards who make decisions on matters local to their communities. It

3780-519: Is the largest council in Oceania , with a $ 3 billion annual budget, $ 29 billion of ratepayer equity, and 9,870 full-time staff as of 30 June 2016. The council began operating on 1 November 2010, combining the functions of the previous regional council and the region's seven city and district councils into one "super council" or "super city". The council was established by a number of Acts of Parliament, and an Auckland Transition Agency, also created by

3915-557: The 1918 flu pandemic . Highbury developed more commercial and residential housing in the 1920s, and was the location of the Birkenhead Borough Chambers. From 1959, the stores of Highbury began declining due to the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge , despite an explosion of population growth in the surrounding suburbs. A small state housing area was constructed at Hammond Place, and in

4050-690: The Ancient Order of Foresters built a hall on Hinemoa Street in Birkenhead. In the following year, theatre company manager Henry John Hayward , who lived at Birkenhead, began showing films at Foresters Hall in 1912. Birkenhead became the second suburb of Auckland to have a cinema, and by the 1920s the Foresters Hall had become a major attraction for people across Auckland to attend dances and film showings. By 1913, Birkenhead had grown to have 12 stores (compared to 42 in Devonport), including

4185-659: The Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Employers & Manufacturers Association. Supporters included the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development, a right-wing think tank. The introduction of Auckland Transport , the CCO for transport functions (with more than half the city's future rate spend), was discouraged even by the government's own Treasury and Department of Internal Affairs, as well as other departments. The main proponents of

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4320-470: The Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959, becoming a city in 1978. In 1989, Birkenhead City was amalgamated with North Shore City . The name Birkenhead first appears in relation to a land survey conducted by Charles Heaphy in the summer of 1862 and 1863. The origin is unknown, but it possibly stems from the geographical similarities the area has to Birkenhead in North West England , which is on

4455-484: The Kaipara District area) or the south. There was a perception that these rural areas would receive very little benefit in terms of infrastructure for their rates' money, and that they would be swallowed up by an Auckland that has different interests and character than their communities. Politicians such as Rodney Hide answered that inclusion is necessary to allow a regional approach to the wider interests of

4590-587: The Northern Busway as well as significant rail and public transport investments were realised through the Auckland Regional Transport Authority , much of it supported by retaining Ports of Auckland in public hands (after the deregulation of the Auckland Harbour Board ) to fund the improvements with the dividends. Until 2010, the Auckland Region had seven "City/District" authorities, plus one "Regional" authority. In

4725-518: The council-controlled organisation Eke Panuku Development Auckland also developed a framework plan to redevelop Auckland's waterfront. In late 2011, Ports of Auckland became engaged in an industrial dispute with workers represented by the Maritime Union of New Zealand , after negotiations broke down over the expiry of the existing collective contract, and plans by the port to contract out its services to casual workers. The company board cited

4860-584: The (now) largest city of an island colony nation, has to a large degree always depended on its harbours. Starting from the original wharves in Commercial Bay in the 1840s, and expanding via the land reclamation schemes that transformed the whole of the Auckland waterfront throughout the 19th and 20th centuries (and still continue today, especially at Fergusson Wharf), the port became the largest of New Zealand (and has been since at least 1924, incidentally

4995-479: The 1840s, and by the late 19th century the area became renowned for strawberry crops. In 1884, the Chelsea Sugar Refinery was constructed in Birkenhead, becoming a major source of income for Birkenhead. The increased population growth led to Birkenhead becoming one of the first boroughs of Auckland in 1888. Birkenhead transitioned from a semi-rural community to suburban Auckland after the opening of

5130-521: The 1850s. Despite the poor clay soil, Hawkins became a famed horticulturalist, winning prizes for crops such as apples, plums, peas, gooseberries, strawberries. Fruit became a major industry for Birkenhead from the 1860s, notably apples, pears, and two varieties of strawberry, Marguerite and Duke of Edinburgh, which flourished well in clay soils. Birkenhead was subdivided and promoted as a township from 1863, alongside other settlements such as Allandale and Balmain (neither of which eventuated). Residents of

5265-413: The 1910s, after becoming unprofitable. By the turn of the century, Birkenhead had developed into three centres: suburban Birkenhead, rural Birkdale and Chelsea, adjacent to the refinery. The factory provided steady work for the community, employing a third of the workforce of Birkenhead, and allowing farmers and orchardists stability in years with poorer crops. The ferry service brought new residents to

5400-482: The 1913 Hellaby's butchery, the first building with a tiled ceiling constructed in Australasia. An increased population led to plans for a new school to open in 1914 on a portion of Edward Skeate's Highbury estate, but plans for a school were delayed until 1919, due to the outbreak of World War I . 261 men and boys from Birkenhead served in the war. This greatly affected the community, which was further impacted by

5535-871: The 1940s. In 1938 on the eve of World War II , the New Zealand Government established the Kauri Point Armament Depot at Birkenhead. 332 soldiers and one nurse from Birkenhead enlisted, of whom 29 died. Chelsea Sugar Refinery workers were protected from enlistment, and many residents serves as a part of the Home Guard . While never employed, the Home Guard dug anti-tank tranches on the Glenfield ridge, and practiced warfare at Eskdale Reserve. Many women of Birkenhead took up jobs traditionally held by men, including working at

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5670-589: The 1970s, helped in part by the development of Wairau Valley as an industrial park. From the 1970s, Samoan New Zealander and Urban Māori communities developed around Birkenhead, many of whom worked at Wairau Valley and the Sugar Refinery. After the population exceeded 20,000 people, Birkenhead Borough became the City of Birkenhead in 1978. In the mid-1980s, the Borough Council planned to develop

5805-541: The Auckland Council consists of the mayor, deputy mayor, and 19 other members. The members of the governing body are elected from thirteen wards across the Council area using the first-past-the-post system every three years at the same time as the mayor. Decision-making for the governing body's areas of oversight is done by committees, a few of which consist of the whole governing body, and most of which consist of

5940-795: The Auckland Regional Policy Statement, four regional plans and seven district plans of Auckland's legacy councils following amalgamation. The AUP was prepared through a streamlined plan making process established by the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Act 2013. The AUP was publicly notified in September 2013 and received over 13,000 submissions and further submissions. The submissions were heard by an Independent Hearings Panel, chaired by Environment Court Judge D A Kirkpatrick, which provided its recommendations to Auckland Council in July 2016. The AUP

6075-551: The CCO responsible for non-transport investment assets, manages Council investments worth $ 2.54 billion, including a 22.4% stake in Auckland Airport worth $ 1.13 billion, as well as a 100% share of Ports of Auckland Limited worth $ 1.08 billion, and Auckland Film Studios, worth $ 8 million (values at May 2014). The council owns and manages 28 regional parks around the region. Most of the parks were inherited from Auckland Regional Council . Auckland Council rates combine

6210-501: The CCO system, Prime Minister John Key , Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Transport Minister Steven Joyce , remained adamant about the introduction (and the appropriateness) of the system. Others, like the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development called the claim that the mayor and council would have no ability to hold the CCOs accountable "farcial nonsense". The New Zealand Herald , Auckland's largest newspaper, ran

6345-585: The Council's money was spent on "Art services and galleries, events, museums, parks, recreation facilities and the zoo", while 22% was spent on "transport management". Further big elements were "Planning and regulation" at 14.5% and "Community services, libraries, emergency management and cemeteries" at 11.5%. As of 2016, 38% of rates were spent on "transport", 27% on "parks, community and lifestyle", 16% on "environmental management and regulation", 8% on "Auckland development", 6% on "Economic and cultural development" and 5% on "governance and support". Some aspects of

6480-599: The New Zealand Government independently. Brown also claimed that exiting the LGNZ would save the Auckland Council NZ$ 64,000 a year, helping to reduce its debt. The Auckland Council's decision to leave LGNZ was criticised as detrimental to Auckland ratepayers and cooperation with other local councils by fellow councillors Richard Hills , Andy Baker , Julie Fairey , and LGNZ President Stuart Crosby . The mayor has significant executive powers, their own staff and

6615-675: The North Shore. The establishment of Chelsea Sugar Refinery led to a population explosion in Birkenhead and the surrounding areas, and led to Birkenhead developing into a suburban township. In the mid-1880s, a factory village was constructed adjacent for workers at the factory. Mr Judd, the first customs officer, successfully convinced the Colonial Sugar Refining Company to call both the factory and adjacent company village Chelsea , after his hometown in England. On 12 April 1888, with only 330 ratepayers living in

6750-543: The North end of Fergusson Container Terminal. The new cranes are the largest in New Zealand, weighing 2,100 tonnes each. Standing 114 m (374 ft) high with a 70 m (230 ft) boom length, they are capable of lifting four 20-foot (6.1 m) containers at once. They were bought to provide the necessary lifting capacity and reach for Post-Panamax ships. Each crane has enough solar panels on them to power an average New Zealand home. Ports of Auckland Limited has made

6885-508: The Port of having casualisation plans all along, and twisting its own figures in order to discredit the union. Auckland Mayor Len Brown refused to take sides in the dispute, garnering criticism from supporters, but offered to mediate in the dispute. In December 2012, the Port was fined NZD $ 40,000 by the Employment Relations Authority for deliberately employing strikebreakers during the dispute. In late 2013, it

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7020-528: The Ports of Auckland on a long-term lease. Brown, Ports of Auckland chief executive Roger Gray and Maritime Union secretary Grant Williams signed an agreement for the Auckland Council to retain port lands, assets and operations. In addition the Ports agreed to return Captain Cook Wharf and Marsden Wharf to the Auckland Council, and to give the public greater access to Bledisloe Wharf. The Auckland Council and

7155-482: The Royal Commission. Some recommendations of the Royal Commission, which have not been adopted or implemented: The council was set up by three pieces of legislation, the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009, the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 and the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010. The initial Council elections in October 2010 returned

7290-592: The Second World War collapsed the nascent tourist trade, the US entering the war in 1941 led to it basing a part of its fleet operations in Auckland, necessitating further expansion of the harbour facilities. In 1943 alone, 104 warships and 284 transports visited Auckland. During this time, 24/7 operations began. After the war, the expansion continued, with the Import and Freyberg Wharves opening in 1961, as well as

7425-501: The Waitematā Harbour stopped being major transport nodes, and instead, areas with views of the Waitematā Harbour rose in importance for suburban housing. From 1960, the Birkenhead Borough Council encouraged construction of low-cost suburban houses in the borough, and a small state housing area was constructed at Hammond Place (near Highbury Pass). Birkenhead's population and commercial centre rapidly developed in

7560-614: The Waterfront and Queen Street , turning Nelson and Hobson Street from wide one-way roads into two-way roads with more trees and urban amenity, and a waterfront walk- and cycleway. The Council owns approximately $ 34 billion of assets (2010), including over 100,000 hectares of open space, parks and reserves, as well as the large transport assets administered by the Auckland Transport CCO (see that article for more detail). Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL),

7695-619: The ability to appoint the chairpersons of the council's committees. Some columnists stated in 2010 that the post was the second most powerful public position in New Zealand, after the prime minister . However, when the Minister for the Rugby World Cup, Murray McCully , took control of the Rugby World Cup fan area on the Auckland waterfront in 2011 without first notifying mayor Len Brown , columnist John Armstrong declared

7830-545: The ancestor Manaoterangi, who was the rangatira of the pā in the mid-18th century, and was likely constructed in the 17th century. The pā was of strategic importance due to its commanding view of the Waitematā Harbour , and its proximity to a renowned tauranga mango , a shark fishery which brought seasonal visitors from across Tāmaki Makurau and the Hauraki Gulf in the summer, including important rangatira such as Kiwi Tāmaki and later Tarahawaiki. Manaoterangi

7965-404: The area and promoting Birkenhead subdivisions and estates at auctions, and constructing a bridge across Little Shoal Bay , better connecting the community to Northcote. Lake Road, connecting Northcote and Birkenhead, was significantly improved in the 1870s, helping development in Birkenhead. This was aided further by the Auckland Harbour Board constructed a wharf in 1882, which was followed by

8100-431: The area who commuted to Auckland for work, although fewer than neighbouring Devonport ; only three stores were located in Birkenhead in 1901. The Birkenhead ferry developed a café atmosphere for the commuters, which included string instrument players, and a smokers cabin, where man of Birkenhead discussed politics. Workers at the factory complained of poor conditions, such as 58-hour work weeks, and unsafe conditions in

8235-494: The area, the Borough of Birkenhead was established as one of the earliest boroughs of Auckland. Birkenhead was one of the largest boroughs of New Zealand in area size, and tensions existed between the township at Highbury and more rural Birkdale . Highbury residents wanted more funding to be put aside for urban projects such as improved footpaths, frustrating rural Birkdale residents, who needed better rural roads, especially during

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8370-481: The case of Auckland Transport, that with most of the expertise, staff and planning ability being held in the "semi-autonomous" CCO, the council would not have the central planning and policy role as claimed by the proponents of the system, but would instead have to share (or compete for) this role with Auckland Transport. It also argued that the Royal Commission suggested a strong council and subservient CCOs, not vice versa. Birkenhead, New Zealand Birkenhead

8505-479: The census's question about religious affiliation, 53.4% had no religion, 33.6% were Christian , 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs , 1.8% were Hindu , 1.2% were Muslim , 1.9% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 3,495 (40.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 753 (8.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 2,487 people (28.6%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15

8640-688: The central government. Both the means by which the council was established, and its structure came under repeated criticism from a broad spectrum during the establishment period. The Auckland Council took over the functions of the Auckland Regional Council and the region's seven city and district councils: Auckland City Council , Manukau City Council , Waitakere City Council , North Shore City Council , Papakura District Council , Rodney District Council and most of Franklin District Council . The Auckland Regional Council

8775-565: The city of Auckland. In 1884 the Birkenhead Road District split from the North Shore Highway District. On 12 April 1888, with only 330 ratepayers the Birkenhead Road District became the Borough of Birkenhead, one of the earliest boroughs of Auckland. The borough had a mayor and a local council, and was able to make more decisions on how to invest in the area. After 90 years due to major growth in

8910-473: The construction of a railway wharf and new dockyard facilities. New facilities were also built on the other side of the harbour, at Devonport , with the 'Calliope Dock' being the largest drydock in the southern hemisphere in 1888. By the early 20th century, commercial and passenger traffic was already very busy, with large passenger liners from Europe and the United States arriving regularly. Though

9045-519: The country briefly downed tools in support of the striking Auckland workers, before being ordered to get back to work. On 7 March 2012, the Port announced that all striking dock workers would be made redundant. This prompted a strong response from the striking port workers, the Maritime Union of New Zealand , and its global affiliates in the ITF, ILWU and Maritime Union of Australia . The ITF's president, Paddy Crumlin, subsequently declared Ports of Auckland

9180-548: The creation of the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Princess Wharf. During the late 1960s, the massive, deep-draught Fergusson Wharf was established to serve the beginning container trade. While finished in 1971, it took until 1973 for the first container vessel to arrive, though the general container trend was not to avoid the port. In 1985, the Harbour Board's computer system was broken into by

9315-556: The current company and the ports of Auckland themselves. Ports of Auckland Limited operates seaports on the Waitematā Harbour and the Manukau Harbour , and four freight hubs (inland ports), in South Auckland , Palmerston North , Mount Maunganui and the Waikato . The company employs the equivalent of 600 full-time staff and is in operation at all hours to allow for quick turnaround of cargo. The Port of Auckland

9450-554: The directly employed workforce. In October 1993 20% of the shares were floated to the public on the New Zealand sharemarket when the Waikato Regional Council sold its stake. On 1 April 2005 Auckland Regional Holdings, part of the former Auckland Regional Council , which held the remaining 80% of shares in the company, made a takeover offer at $ 8 a share. This gave the company a value of $ 848 million. The bid

9585-457: The draft Auckland Plan envisaged a more contained growth (combatting sprawl by having 75% of population growth occur in existing settlement areas), while National is more favourable of relaxing constraints on new greenfields development. Auckland Council later changed the plan to allow 30–40% of growth in greenfield areas and satellite towns. Auckland Unitary Plan (Operative in part) The Auckland Unitary Plan (Operative in part ) (AUP) guides

9720-448: The early 1840s. The shark fishery remained an important location for many decades onwards. In 1844, when Tāmaki Māori held the feast of Remuera, sharks were caught for the event at this fishery, and considerable numbers of Māori fishing boats fished the area as late as the 1860s. Outside of Te Mātārae ō Mana and Rongohau , other known locations of significance to Tāmaki Māori around Birkenhead include Maunganui or Mangonui

9855-477: The early 19th century, the eastern headlands the Upper Waitematā Harbour , including along Oruamo or Hellyers Creek were some of the most densely settled areas of the North Shore by Tāmaki Māori. Oruamo or Hellyers Creek was an important transportation node for the North Shore area. In the latter 18th and early 19th centuries, members of Te Taoū/Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei resided seasonally at Te Mātārae

9990-516: The early Tāmaki Māori people of the North Shore identified as Ngā Oho . Boat Rock ( Te Nihokiore , "The Rat's Tooth") in the Waitematā Harbour southwest of Birkenhead was a location of great significance to Tāmaki Māori. The rock was the location where Te Arawa chief Kahumatamomoe placed a mauri stone (a stone of religious significance), naming the Waitematā ("The Waters of the Stone") after

10125-413: The fact that a previous integration of the many much smaller Borough Councils did not bring the promised advantages either, and reduced local participation in politics, with editorialists pointing out that the (supposedly mainly Wellingtonian ) proponents of the 'super city' have carefully not made any promises of savings in light of past rises in rates and utilities bills. In 2007, the government set up

10260-499: The following year, the firm moved to a factory on Nelson Street in the Auckland City Centre, growing to become Thompson & Hills, one of the largest canning factories and jam producers in New Zealand in the early 20th century. Growers struggled with poor apple and pear crops due to codling moths , so by 1900 turned to growing nectarines and plums. Commercial fruitgrowing increasingly disappeared from Birkenhead by

10395-627: The future Council per person) and regarding the small number of Councillors for all of Auckland (with fewer Councillors per head than Aucklanders have MPs representing them in Parliament), and the institution of two-member wards (meaning that contenders would have to field much larger and more costly election campaigns). Editorialist Brian Rudman accused the Local Government Commission of attempted gerrymandering in its draft proposal for one particular ward. In early 2010

10530-648: The gum diggers, who would often destroy roads, orchards and farms in order to locate kauri gum. In response, the Waitemata County Council lobbied the Crown to allow the country more direct control over the gum digging industry. In 1881, the Australasian Colonial Sugar Refining Company chose Birkenhead for the site of a new sugar refining factory, after founder Edward Knox visited Auckland. The refinery

10665-409: The head of the Ōrewa River . Maraeariki's daughter Kahu succeeded him, and she is the namesake of the North Shore, Te Whenua Roa o Kahu ("The Greater Lands of Kahu"). Many of the iwi of the North Shore, including Ngāti Manuhiri , Ngāti Maraeariki, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Poataniwha, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Whātua , can trace their lineage to Kahu. The poor clay soils of the inland forest of

10800-414: The hindered development. Most Māori settlements of the Birkenhead area focused on fishing and harvesting food from the forests. The focal point of Te Kawerau ā Maki on the North Shore was Te Mātārae ō Mana ("The Brow of Mana"), a headland pā at Kauri Point in modern-day Chatswood , and Rongohau ("Wind Shelter"), the kāinga below the cliffs at Kendall Bay. Te Mātārae ō Mana was named after

10935-458: The largest one-day turnover came in February 2007, when Statendam and Sapphire Princess were due in Auckland to exchange around 8,000 people at the terminal, the equivalent of 19 Boeing 747 jumbo jets. In 2013, Auckland won a major cruise ship industry award, being named Best Turnaround Destination (best location to start or end a cruise at) by Britain's Cruise Insight magazine based on

11070-400: The late 2000s, New Zealand's central government and parts of Auckland's society felt that this large number of Councils, and the lack of strong regional government (with the Auckland Regional Council only having limited powers) were hindering Auckland's progress, and that a form of stronger regional government, or an amalgamation under one local council , would be beneficial. Others pointed to

11205-556: The liquor industry was marked by failure to object to anti-union behaviour and strong advertising of alcohol to the youth market. McCarten argued McKay was to be paid three times the salary of the Prime Minister, had no local government or non-profit experience and was selected by an unelected transition authority. Mayoral candidates John Banks and Len Brown were positive about McKay's appointment. Brown, who went on to become mayor, said McKay's business and restructuring experience

11340-500: The major tasks of its first years, will prepare a "spatial plan" to guide Auckland's growth. This plan will cover matters such as the limits of residential development and the zoning and densities of the suburbs and areas, and will assess how elements like transport and land use are to be linked. It is intended to be one of the main documents out of which a unified District Plan will eventually grow. Some critics have noted that this spatial plan will need years to develop and CCOs would fill

11475-506: The matter – all under the guise of a "manufactured crisis". Others, while criticising the lack of democratic oversight, dismissed concerns about asset sales, noting that amalgamation was likely to result in surplus real estate. The Sunday Star-Times noted in an editorial that "we'll merely end up trading in political dysfunction for a quasi-commercial dysfunction forced on us by the National-led government." It also criticised, in

11610-569: The mauri stone. The warrior Maki migrated from the Kāwhia Harbour to his ancestral home in the Auckland Region , likely sometime in the 17th century. Maki conquered and unified many the Tāmaki Māori tribes as Te Kawerau ā Maki , including those of the North Shore. After Maki's death, his sons settled different areas of his lands, creating new hapū . His younger son Maraeariki settled the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast , who based himself at

11745-533: The mid-1970s the Highbury Bypass was constructed, linking Mokoia Road to Onewa Road, without the need to drive through Highbury. In December 1926, electricity was first installed in Birkenhead, and in January 1934 water infrastructure was greatly improved. Having used water piped from Lake Pupuke until this time, the pipe pumped water from Western Springs to Birkenhead under the Waitematā Harbour, and

11880-511: The mid-2000s. By the 2000s, Birkenhead Town Centre had developed a restaurant culture. In November 2010, the suburb was included into the North Shore ward, one of the thirteen administrative divisions of the newly-formed Auckland Council . Under the council, Birkenhead is part of the Kaipātiki Local Board Area . Birkenhead covers 4.52 km (1.75 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 10,720 as of June 2024, with

12015-680: The mid-20th century, Birkenhead became a city on 15 March 1978, with a population of 20,000 people. In 1989, Birkenhead was merged into the North Shore City . North Shore City was amalgamated into Auckland Council in November 2010. Within the Auckland Council, Birkenhead is a part of the Kaipātiki local government area governed by the Kaipātiki Local Board . It is a part of the North Shore ward , which elects two councillors to

12150-550: The movement of 60% of New Zealand's imports and 40% of its exports (both by value, 2006), respectively 50% of the North Island's container trade, and 37% of all New Zealand's container trade (2007). It moves 4 million tonnes of 'breakbulk' cargo per year (2006), as well as around 773,160 twenty-foot equivalent containers units per year (2007). Another major import are used cars, with approximately 250,000 landed per year. The cars are mainly relatively new Japanese models, due to

12285-410: The myth finished. The mayor is directly elected by voters living in the Auckland Council area every three years by postal ballot using the first-past-the-post voting system. Len Brown was elected mayor in October 2010, and re-elected for a second term in 2013. Phil Goff won the 2016 election and was re-elected as mayor in 2019. In 2022, Wayne Brown was elected mayor. The governing body of

12420-653: The offices and golden syrup room at Chelsea Sugar Refinery, and working at the Kauri Point Armament Depot. The arrival of American troops in Auckland helped Birkenhead flowers, due to the increased need for fresh food and flowers. In the 1950s, Birkenhead was a semi-rural area of Auckland, with only the areas close to the Birkenhead Wharf having a suburban atmosphere. In 1959, the Auckland Harbour Bridge opened, which rapidly brought Birkenhead closer to Auckland. The North Shore wharves of

12555-430: The opinion of The New Zealand Herald , ignored concerns about the "powerlessness" of the local boards. Hide argued that "local boards will engage like never before" and "represent their local communities and make decisions on local issues, activities and facilities". A further concern was that candidates for local boards would have to campaign without knowing the scope of the local board's financial resources, and that

12690-740: The opposite shore of the River Mersey to Liverpool . Similar locations can be found in Adelaide and Sydney in Australia. A common story explaining the origins of the suburb's name involves land developer Samuel Cochrane choosing the name in memory of his hometown, but this story appears to be apocryphal, as Cochrane was a Londoner and did not have ties to Liverpool. The first mentions in press of Birkenhead were real estate advertisements placed by Samuel Cochrane in June 1863. The Birkenhead area

12825-420: The planning work in the first year of the council is planning for the Auckland CBD (now called 'City Centre') and the Auckland waterfront . Including the under construction City Rail Link , these two transformations are costed at approximately $ 5.5 billion over 20 years. Projects proposed in the draft plans include partial or full pedestrianisation of a number of city centre streets, light rail possibilities for

12960-537: The plans for a more accessible Auckland waterfront . In 2007, with a big increase in shipping traffic being projected (due to the Maersk shipping line choosing Auckland as a hub for the Fonterra export traffic), POAL considered a merger with Port of Tauranga , which did not come to pass. In the same year, volumes at the port rose 12.6% while profits, after deducting one-time items and property investments unrelated to

13095-455: The policy vacuum in the meantime. Apart from conflicting with Council's plans, this might also pit CCOs against each other. After the first round of plan development and public consultation, the draft plan was launched mid-2011. Commentators noted that one of the strongest discrepancies between Auckland Council's vision for Auckland and that of the John Key -led Wellington government was that

13230-457: The port operation, remained similar to 2006 (then NZ$ 55.9 million). In its 2008 plan, POAL proposed to extend the Fergusson and Bledisloe terminals into one large area mainly intended for container handling. The change is to increase the port's capacity by 250%, and allow ships with up to 7,000 containers to use its facilities, where the current limit is about 4,000. The extension would include

13365-418: The port, mostly disembarking for short stopover trips into Auckland or the surrounding region. Each of the ships is estimated to add about NZ$ 1 million to the regional economy. For 2007/2008, the total was forecast at 73 ship visits, another strong increase. So far, the largest ship to visit was Queen Mary 2 , which had to be diverted to Jellicoe Wharf in the freight part of the port due to its size. However,

13500-418: The purchase of even larger cranes, topping out at 94m, while containers on the wharf may be stacked as high as six-storey buildings. In 2009, POAL noted that while container business in the past year had increased and profits in that sector had grown due to productivity gains and more consolidation of the industry towards larger ports like Auckland, there was a significant reduction in car import business due to

13635-570: The rates of the various amalgamated local councils and the Auckland Regional Council rates. For the 2011–2012 year, ratepayers are being charged the same rate as before the amalgamation, plus a 3.94% increase, with Council noting that they had achieved a much lower rates increase than originally foreseen. Rates made up 53% of the Council's income in 2011, with the remainder being "grants, subsidies, development and financial contributions, user charges and fees". As of 2011, 24% of

13770-541: The recession, which reduced the company's profits by 26% to $ 12.6m for the last half year to 31 December 2008. From early 2010, Ports of Auckland has operated a new inland port / rail siding in Wiri to connect road freight to the port facilities via freight trains. The new facility allows Ports of Auckland to reduce the number of trucks that have to travel through the Auckland Central area by up to 100,000 trips

13905-584: The refinery. In 1910, the Wragge Institute and Museum and Waiata Tropical Gardens were established in Awanui Street. Run by British meteorologist and spiritualist Clement Lindley Wragge and his Anglo-Indian de facto partner Louisa "Edris" Emmeline Horne, the gardens featured a wide range of exotic edible plants and palm trees, becoming a well-known tourist spot. The centre promoted the planting of palm trees around Auckland. In 1911,

14040-476: The region, and that tangible benefits would ensue for all of Auckland's communities. Also, that changing the boundaries in 2010 would have a domino effect on the restructuring of the ward system for the future Auckland councillors. In turn, the opponents of inclusion argued that big-city developers preferred the inclusion of the rural areas in the Auckland Council boundaries to make development and new subdivision of rural land easier. Several editorialists criticised

14175-616: The reorganisation were contentious, such as whether all of the Auckland Region should be integrated into the super city, and whether the new structure allowed sufficient local democracy. Critics argued that there was little space for "local" democracy in the new "local government" setup for Auckland, with the proposed "local boards" having little power, such as having no funding or staff of their own, and being forbidden from undertaking numerous government roles, especially where those roles might clash with regional functions such as transport or utilities. Local Government Minister Rodney Hide , in

14310-453: The results expected of them." The Government's plan to outsource the majority of the council's functions was decried by numerous people (including the main mayoral contenders, Len Brown, and to a lesser degree, John Banks) and groups across the political and societal spectrum – from the Auckland Regional Council and many community boards, to Local Government New Zealand , and organisations considered to be National Party -friendly such as

14445-580: The same year the Port of Onehunga was opened). The initial establishment of the harbour facilities in Commercial Bay and Official Bay suffered from the tidal mudflats that made establishing good wharves difficult. After control of the Waitematā Harbour passed to the Auckland Provincial Council in 1853, the Council did much work on improving the facilities, which included constructing the first Queen Street Wharf, building

14580-433: The ships are legally required to use pilotage , managed by the Ports of Auckland's Harbour Control. The four inland ports operated by Ports of Auckland function as rail exchanges between the seaport and the national road and rail freight networks. Visited by around 1,600 commercial vessels a year, Auckland is New Zealand's largest commercial port, handling more than NZ$ 20 billion of goods per year. Ports of Auckland handles

14715-476: The size and composition of wards for the election of Auckland Council councillors. The criticism ranged from the wards being too big (and thus throwing together communities with few common interests), to some ward boundary lines being drawn against the local understanding of what constituted their community. More serious criticism was centred around the fact that urban wards contained significantly more people than some rural wards (and thus received less influence in

14850-467: The southern side of the Auckland isthmus . While it is much closer to the industrial areas of South Auckland , the access via the shallow entrance of Manukau Harbour, and the smaller facilities, make it much less significant than the main port, and it is used mostly for coastal shipping within New Zealand, such as for bringing in cement from Westport . The port, despite being 100 nautical miles closer to Sydney and 200 nautical miles closer to Wellington ,

14985-531: The strawberry harvesting season. In 1885, the Zion Hill Methodist Church was constructed, becoming a major focal point for social life in Birkenhead. The church visually dominated Birkenhead due to its position on the hill, and was a strong voice for the temperance movement , lobbying against hotels from being established in Birkenhead. The church and Chelsea Sugar Refinery were the two largest influences on life for Birkenhead residents at

15120-470: The suburb is the hill in eastern Eskdale Reserve, which reaches a height of 98 metres (322 ft) above sea-level in the neighbouring suburb of Hillcrest . Māori settlement of the Auckland Region began around the 13th or 14th centuries. The North Shore was settled by Tāmaki Māori , including people descended from the Tainui migratory canoe and ancestors of figures such as Taikehu and Peretū. Many of

15255-428: The turn of the 20th century. By the 1890s, Birkenhead became so well-known for strawberry farms that daytrippers and picknickers would travel to Birkenhead for the growing season. Growers were increasingly frustrated with the high cost of transporting fruit, and many began establishing canning and jam production operations. One of these operations was Thompson's, which began as a home operation in Birkenhead in 1898. By

15390-687: The use of Auckland's natural and physical resources under the Resource Management Act 1991 . The AUP is a combined resource management plan which includes a regional policy statement, regional coastal plan, regional plan and district plan. The AUP's district plan provisions apply throughout Auckland, except for the Hauraki Gulf Islands which is instead subject to the Auckland Council District Plan - Hauraki Gulf Islands Section. The AUP replaced

15525-601: The very strict technical requirements of the Japanese road authorities. Due to the country's very strict biosecurity regulations, formerly administered by the MAF and now by its successor agency MPI , cars (and many other goods) have to pass through a decontamination facility, which strongly increases turnover times. In the 2005/2006 season, POAL catered for 48 cruise ship visits (at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Princes Wharf ), with more than 100,000 passengers passing through

15660-404: The village survived through subsistence farming, and profited from bountiful seasonal strawberry crops. In 1879, William Francis Hammond bought 30 acres (12 ha) at Birkenhead Point, establishing Raven Hill estate, followed by Charles E. Button who established a second grand house at Birkenhead Point in 1883. Hammond, the son of a London auctioneer, was a keen promoter of Birkenhead, surveying

15795-649: The wash house, where employers would be dismissed if they stopped working due to heat exhaustion. In 1901, the Sugar Workers Union was formed, pushing for safer conditions and a reduction to a 48-hour work week. In 1905, the Chelsea workers village was condemned. Following this, Chelsea factory management established the HAWE (Housing Assistance for Wage Earners) Scheme in 1910, where workers were provided with low-interest loans to construct or buy houses close to

15930-558: Was a "good fit", and would help improve economic performance as well as build links with businesses. McKay's contract ended in December 2013. Stephen Town became chief executive on 15 January 2014. In early February 2020, Town announced he would not see out his term until December 2020, moving to the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology in early July. It is intended that the Auckland Council, as one of

16065-483: Was a close relative of Tuperiri of the Te Taoū / Ngāti Whātua ragatira Tuperiri, and was married to Waikahuia, the sister of Waiohua paramount chief Kiwi Tāmaki . Because of this, the pā and Mana's people were spared during the conflicts between Te Taoū and Waiohua in the mid-18th century, and at the end of his life, Manaoterangi entrusted his people to Tuperiri and the iwi that grew to become Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei . By

16200-572: Was a part of the Mahurangi Block, an area purchased by the Crown on 13 April 1841. Land speculators purchased much of the isolated forests of Birkenhead in 1843, and the first permanent settlers arrived in 1849. Major Collings Ann de Jersey Grut emigrated to New Zealand in the 1850s from the Channel Islands , alongside her husband Major Collings de Jersey Grut and brother Charles D'Auvergne. The de Jersey Grut family established

16335-504: Was built would be sold to Panuku. Chelsea Wharf, in Birkenhead on the North Shore , not part of the current POAL facilities, serves the Chelsea Sugar Refinery , which has operated since 1884. The 9 hectares (22 acres) of the land were leased from POAL, but purchased by Chelsea in 1997. Ships with unrefined sugar (mostly from Australia) arrive at the wharf every six weeks, and as they generally exceed 500  gross tonnage  (GT),

16470-408: Was chosen due to Auckland's relative proximity to the sugarcane plantations of Fiji , and south-eastern Birkenhead was chosen as it was one of the few deep water anchorages of the Waitematā Harbour, and due to its proximity to the fresh water Duck Creek. The factory opened in 1884, and by 1888 had greatly increased production. The factory continues to be the largest single site industrial facility on

16605-492: Was disestablished in 2019 as part of the 10-year budget 2018–2028. Michael Redman , formerly mayor, then chief executive of Hamilton City Council, was chief executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development from November 2010 to October 2011. In March 2010, Doug McKay was announced as the inaugural chief executive officer of the council by the Auckland Transition Agency. The 54-year-old

16740-510: Was disestablished, its share holdings and functions were transferred to the council [2] Now being the third largest container terminal in Australasia , as well as New Zealand's busiest port, little remains in terms of the original facilities. Even so, Ports of Auckland is still expanding and changing at a quick pace, with further reclamation worked planned to shift harbour operations further east, in connection with future needs as well as

16875-556: Was formed in 1989, replacing the Auckland Regional Authority. One of the mainstays of its work was expanding the parks network, and it brought into the Auckland Council 26 regional parks with more than 40,000 hectares, including many restored natural habitats and sanctuaries developed in co-operation with the Department of Conservation and volunteers. A variety of often public transport-focused projects like

17010-483: Was halted due to the invasion of the Waikato in 1863, and while the port continued to be used for passengers and cargo, it became disused over time due to the construction of more reliable road and rail links to Wellington . Modern ships became too large to use the port, and negotiations were under way in 2015 by Auckland Council to sell it to the council entity Panuku Development Auckland, which wanted to turn it into

17145-490: Was made operative in part in November 2016 with some outstanding appeals. As of July 2024, over 100 plan changes to the AUP have been publicly notified. The first Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP), the longer-term financial budget of the city, will not be produced until July 2012. Until that time, longer-term finances will be decided by the council, guided by the existing LTCCPs of the subsumed bodies. Another big focus of

17280-429: Was never able to be developed to the same extent as the Waitematā Harbour ports, due to the extensive sand bars at the mouth of the Manukau Harbour. The port flourished in the 1850s and early 1860s as a link to the Manukau Harbour and Waikato regions, where Tāmaki Māori and Waikato tribes would sell and barter resources such as peaches, melons, fish and potatoes, to be on-sold for the settlement of Auckland. This trade

17415-437: Was reported that the dispute remained unresolved. However, a new collective settlement was finally reached in February 2015. Ports of Auckland hold its annual open weekend, called SeePort, on Auckland Anniversary Weekends to showcase the public its ports and the history of Auckland's shipping industry and Auckland's maritime heritage. Auckland Council Auckland Council ( Māori : Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau )

17550-409: Was selected ahead of 27 other candidates, including several existing council chief executives. He had no experience in local government, but was described as having strong Auckland ties, and 30 years' corporate experience. He was to receive a salary of $ 675,000 and an incentive bonus of $ 67,500. Left-wing political organiser Matt McCarten criticised his appointment, arguing McKay's previous tenure in

17685-405: Was successful, and the port is now 100% owned by the Auckland Council , successor of the Auckland Regional Council and other local authorities. From 2012 to 2019, Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL), the council-controlled organisation responsible for non-transport investment assets, managed the 100% share of Ports of Auckland Limited. In 2019, as part of the 10-year budget 2018-2028, ACIL

17820-485: Was that 4,755 (54.7%) people were employed full-time, 1,281 (14.7%) were part-time, and 216 (2.5%) were unemployed. The first local government in the area was the North Shore Highway District, which began operating in 1868 and administered roading and similar projects across the North Shore. From 1876, Birkenhead was also a part of the Takapuna Riding of Waitemata County ; a large rural county north and west of

17955-736: Was the longest pipe of its kind when installed. Farms in Birkenhead offered increasingly poor harvests through the 1920s, due to the soil being overworked. Farmers turned away from strawberries, growing crops such as pumpkins and tomatoes instead. By the 1930s during the Great Depression , many farms had become unprofitable. During these times, the Birkenhead Borough operated an unemployment loan scheme for residents, and relief workers worked on infrastructure projects including drain digging, clearing scrubland and improving roads. The last commercial strawberry fields were removed in

18090-511: Was the name of a pā located inland on the Kauri Point ridge, and Ngutuwera , an inland pā where people would stay seasonally, to snare kākā in the wooded vallies of Tāwhiwhikareao . The traditional names for the bays of the area include Wararoa ( Chelsea ), Onetaunga (Onetaunga and Soldiers Bay), Wa Iti o Toroa (Island Bay), Kaiwhanake (Charcoal Bay) and Opaketai (the bay north of Charcoal Bay). Birkenhead

18225-435: Was won by Wayne Brown . On 23 March 2023, the Auckland Council voted by a margin of ten to ten to leave Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), the national representative body for local councils in New Zealand. Mayor Brown used his casting vote to break the deadlock during the Council's vote. Brown claimed that members of the body got drunk regularly during conference meetings and that the Auckland Council could negotiate with

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