A-Z of NZ Locations, New Zealand

A-Z of NZ Locations – Manukau Harbour

Suzanne

In my series of A-Z of NZ Locations, I will take you for a meander around areas that are unique gems, some yet to be polished though worth a visit for either historical reasons, nature, culinary delights or for the sheer vistas.

I am sort of cheating with this location as an M, though I have zoomed into Manukau Harbour; there’s only a tiny part that I want to introduce you all to, and it starts with an A. In this part of wider Auckland, we enjoyed parking up on quite a few occasions with our motorhome, which is now sold and going back nearly 10 years. Though have returned as a day visitor.

Its name is Ambury Regional Park and Farm.

Sunset by the Manukau Harbour

Close to Mangere Bridge Village, nestled on the foreshores of Manukau Harbour, with Mangere Mountain as the backdrop, Ambury Park is steeped in volcanic history, and its intertidal mudflats form a birdwatcher’s wetland paradise. 

Reef Heron

The beautiful harbour views were a treat, though it was the wildlife and the park farm that intrigued us. It is a treasure to enjoy, and sometimes, while camping, it’s easy to forget that there is a bustling, noisy city of Manukau and wider Auckland not far away.

The foreshore and part of a shortish walk around the park

History

Ambury Regional Park is named after Stephen Ambury, an English Immigrant who farmed in this area. Ambury Farm has seen many changes throughout its history, dating back to early European settlers. Stephen and Joseph Ambury arrived at what used to be known as Point Farm and started a dairy farm in the early 1800s. Not only did they supply milk to the people of Auckland by delivering door to door with a horse and cart, they produced the first shipment of butter to leave New Zealand for the United Kingdom. 

The Otuataua Stonefields

The Otuataua Stonefields and the surrounding areas have been occupied and cultivated since the earliest days of settlement in the region. A recent carbon age estimate for shell midden from an archaeological site on nearby Puketutu Island dates to the 12th century; this is currently one of the earliest dates for human occupation in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Mangere Village Church and Bridge

1874 – Mangere Presburyian Church.  In late “timber Gothic”, this quaint church is the medium rather than high roof pitch.

Viewing the Historic Buildings located in Manukau City, by Manukau City Council, 1980, illustrated by Andrew Hall, the church was constructed for $440 on a site donated by Mr. Robert Wallace. Prominent church members gave their names to roads in the locality. W. F. Massey was a former Prime Minister, and the Rev Mr. Kirkbride led his flock from this church for a period.

Ambury Park images from various visits.

Happy as a pig in mud – Ambury Farm – this farm was a wonderful distraction when we cared for a young nephew and niece in our motorhome for a few nights while their parents organised the family’s house lot to be shipped to Australia. It doesn’t seem that long ago; it was over 10 years ago. The family is still in Australia.
Colin and Conner were ever so hopeful that visitors would ignore the “Do not feed” sign.
Another time, another sunset, and here you can see the twisting rock of one of the ancient lava flows from Mt Mangere revealed at low tide in the Manukau Harbour.
A view when walking along the southside of Ambury Regional Park. The harbour is situated beyond the trees. There are numerous walks, from short to long, around the park.
Looking towards Mangere Mountain and captured from the ever-popular Mangere Bridge. Ambury Regional Park is more to the right of the photo, approximately 2.6 km. As the birds fly not far at all.
Australasian Pied Stilt in flight
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Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

31 thoughts on “A-Z of NZ Locations – Manukau Harbour”

    1. Thanks, Jude. Those memories include parking the motorhome in the middle of a paddock surrounded by sheep. Let’s say dodging sheep pellets was an adventure with a 3 year old who didn’t like them😊

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    1. Thanks, Janis, I always appreciate your comments. We enjoyed our visits and I should’ve put some images of the motorhome up though not as important as seeing highlights of the regional park. Besides the old girl “Purr-Inn” can be seen in other posts.

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  13. It is difficult to get my head round the earliest occupation being the 12 th century. I am used to living near stone age monuments and even have a roman coin that was dug up locally.

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    1. It is what we get used to I suppose. Our short stints living up in the Northern Hemisphere had us quite liking living close by those roman and stone age relics. We are a young nation compared to Europe and the UK.

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