Pakuranga is a modern Auckland suburb between the Pakuranga Creek and Tamaki River. As such it links the older inner eastern suburbs with the historic Fencible settlement of Howick, via the Panmure Bridge or the newer Waipuna Bridge.

But Pakuranga has a lot more to offer than simply being a lunch stop on the way to Howick, the eastern beaches and the rural fringes.

The suburb was developed in the 1950s and 1960s and as a result it now boasts some fine examples of the American-style architecture of that period. It is also home to New Zealand’s second oldest shopping mall, now known as Pakuranga Plaza. Built in 1965 the mall has undergone several transformations since then and is now a busy, modern shopping precinct with over 70 shops and stores. It is still very much a community hub. (Take note of the unusual “book” design of the Pakuranga Library, on the edge of the shopping mall).  Construction has recently begun to accommodate a dedicated bus route to improve the trafficflow at this important intersection.  Te Tuhi, one of New Zealand’s foremost contemporary art galleries, is located opposite the Library.

Pakuranga has some popular walkways.  It is also home to Lloyd Elsmore Park which hosts a variety of sports clubs as well as an excellent public indoor swimming pool and leisure centre with spa, steam room, sauna, gym and group fitness classes, plus the new addition of an outdoor kids splash area.  The park is often the venue for a number of large outdoor events and home to the Howick Historical Village.

Pakuranga is a large primarily suburban area with some worthwhile places to explore.

Howick Historical Village

Howick Historical Village is a re-creation of a New Zealand colonial village using houses and cottages saved from the surrounding Auckland suburb of Howick.

The buildings have been lovingly restored and give an excellent idea of the early settlement of the area. The Village is located in the beautiful Lloyd Elsmore Park. There is a café and gift shop on site.

It’s a popular place for families and groups to visit. Regularly held “Live Days” show the Village as a Living Museum, with costumed villagers going about their day to day lives as the Fencibles would have in the 19th Century. These Live Days include traditional games and crafts, as well as demonstrations by the 65th Regiment Soldiers. www.historicalvillage.org.nz

Lloyd Elsmore Park

Lloyd Elsmore Park covers 69 hectares of land in the heart of the suburb. It is home to rugby (Bell Park) , athletics, badminton, netball, hockey, cricket and bowls (venue for the 1990 Commonwealth Games bowls). There is an excellent indoor swimming pool and leisure centre with spa, steam room, sauna, gym and group fitness classes. The park is a popular venue for various outdoor events and is also home to the extremely well presented Howick Historical Village, which is well worth a visit.

The south of the park touches the Pakuranga Golf Club, on the Botany border.  This championship 18 hole par 72, 6013m course is suitable for golfers of all abilities. 

Pakuranga Coastal Rotary Walkway

Pakuranga Coastal Rotary Walkway is an 11 km route from Panmure Bridge to Halfmoon Bay Marina. It is a scenic and high quality walk and cycleway.

It can be accessed from many varying points along the route. The walkway is suitable for all – except for some steep stairs near the Halfmoon Bay Marina end of the walkway – near Clyside Drive.

The track is mostly wide and paved – winding its way alongside the Tamaki River. You can stop and take a break on one of the many seats along the walkway. There is the Snakes and Ladders playground near the Bramley Drive entrance which provides youngsters with some fun activities.

The path offers great views up and down the Tamaki River. The walk is well sign-posted and information panels provide historical information about the area. Nearer Halfmoon Bay the walkway uses a number of existing roads that are connected by small pathways, and although the route is sign posted but in this area through the houses the path is not always clear.  An alternative route when you reach the Wakaaranga Creek Reserve is to continue walking along Prince Regent Drive towards the Marina, turning left into Pigeon Mountain Road directly to the Halfmoon Bay Marina where you will find with a good selection of eating establishments, and ferries to Auckland City and Waiheke. There is also a bus station located adjacent to the Ferry Terminals.

The walking route is also great for prams/buggies and dog walkers (on leash only)

For a comprehensive experience enjoy Howick Village’s history by downloading Howick’s Heritage Mobile App and take the Tamaki RIver Tour  :  https://stqry.app/projects/970

greataucklandwalks.com/coastal-pakuranga-rotary-walkway

Te Tuhi

Te Tuhi, located adjacent to the Pakuranga Plaza, is one of New Zealand's foremost contemporary art spaces, and a leader in experimental practice. It was founded in the early 1960s by a group of forward-thinking creative women, and has built its reputation by providing a showcase of new artworks by a diverse selection of artists.

Te Tuhi, located adjacent to the Pakuranga Plaza, is one of New Zealand's foremost contemporary art spaces, and a leader in experimental practice. It was founded in the early 1960s by a group of forward-thinking creative women, and has built its reputation by providing a showcase of new artworks by a diverse selection of artists.

Te Tuhi works with many nationally and internationally established artists, and artworks commissioned by Te Tuhi have been nominated for national and international art awards or acquired for significant collections and exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. http://www.tetuhi.org.nz/

Pakuranga Plaza is located at a busy junction over the Tamaki River, and welcomes you to Auckland's Eastern Suburbs.

Pakuranga Plaza is currently in a new development phase, with adjacent major road improvements for better bus service and traffic flow to and from the region.  It's shopping and eating estblishments are also changing during  this time.  

A main bus terminal is located at the Plaza. An entrance to the Pakuranga Coastal Rotary Walkway can be found across Pakuranga Highway from Pakuranga Plaza.  Do take care and cross at the traffic lights.  www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakuranga

Not to be missed is the Saturday evening Pakuranga Night Market, located in the undercover parking area along Reeves Road opposite Te Tui.  Its is well represented with 70-80 food stalls, arts and crafts, jewellery, clothing, fresh produce and entertainment – a true reflection of Auckland’s cultural diversity.

The Cascade Walkway on the south side of Lloyd Elsmore Park is 7.5km of shared paths between Meadowlands Drive and Lloyd Elsmore Park.  This is popular route for locals as part of their fitness regime and, with various spots to join it, can be a short or long walk or cycle and is suitable for all the family. Dogs kept under control are welcome along the walkway but are not permitted on sport fields or near children’s playgrounds. 

Ohuiarangi (Pigeon Mountain) is a 55 metre high volcanic cone at Half Moon Bay. The cone forms the last part of volcanic activity that lasted many years. An earlier explosive eruption, created the prominent tuff ring that is still clearly visible extending in an arc south of Sunderlands Road. Two much smaller craters were formed to the north west of the main cone. It was first quarried for roading metal by Fencible soldiers from the 1847 Fencibles settlement at Howick. Quarrying continued for many years but has now ceased.  This is a popular public reserve and good views of the area are visible from the top.

Pakuranga is traditionally home to the Ngai Tai Iwi (Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki). During the attacks by Ngapuhi in the Musket wars of 1820 most of the population were killed, taken prisoner or fled south to the Waikato.

In early European times, Pakuranga was settled as a dairy farming area and  remained largely rural until the 1950s, when a modern bridge was built across the Tamaki estuary – replacing the high steel bridge that had been there since the 1860s.

Increasing levels of car ownership meant Pakuranga developed as a dormitory suburb of Auckland during the 1950s and 1960s, with residents commuting to Auckland or the southern suburbs for work. Thousands of suburban homes were built and in 1965 the Fletcher Construction Company developed Pakuranga Town Centre (The Pakuranga Plaza).

In 1981 Lloyd Elsmore Park was officially opened and in April of that year school children  and  parents  crowded  the  park’s athletics arena to welcome soon to be married Prince Charles.