Papakura

Papakura
Aerial view of Papakura and the Auckland Southern Motorway
Aerial view of Papakura and the Auckland Southern Motorway
Map
Coordinates: 37°3′45″S 174°56′31″E / 37.06250°S 174.94194°E / -37.06250; 174.94194
CountryNew Zealand
CityAuckland
Local authorityAuckland Council
Electoral wardManurewa-Papakura ward
Local boardPapakura Local Board
Established1846
Area
 • Land1,291 ha (3,190 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total31,750
Train stationsPapakura railway station
HospitalsCounties Manukau District Health Board
Wattle Downs Takanini Ardmore
Pahurehure
Papakura
Red Hill
Rosehill Drury Ōpaheke

Papakura is a suburb of South Auckland, in northern New Zealand. It is located on the shores of the Pahurehure Inlet, approximately 32 kilometres (20 mi) south of the Auckland City Centre. It is under the authority of the Auckland Council.

The area was settled by Tāmaki Māori in the 13th or 14th centuries, who utilised the resources of the Hunua Ranges and Manukau Harbour. A defensive was constructed on Pukekiwiriki, and the surrounding area developed into gardens. By the latter 18th century, the tribal identities of Te Ākitai Waiohua, Ngāti Tamaoho and Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua began developing, among Waiohua descendant iwi of the Manukau Harbour, who lived seasonally in the Papakura area.

The first permanent European residents moved to Papakura in 1846. The town developed significantly during the construction of the Great South Road, and was a military outpost during the Invasion of the Waikato. During the latter 19th century, Papakura became a centre for the kauri gum trade, logging and later dairy farming. In 1938, the town had grown enough to become the Borough of Papakura, independent from the surrounding Manukau County.

From the 1950s, Papakura and the surrounding areas urbanised, in part due to the construction of the Auckland Southern Motorway. By 1987, Papakura had become a part of the greater urban sprawl of Auckland. In 1975, Papakura became a city, but lost this status in 1989 due to local government reforms.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.