Beachlands, New Zealand

Beachlands is an outer suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, established in the 1920s, where development increased in the 1950s due to its popularity as a beach holiday destination.[1] It is located on the "Pohutukawa Coast" and in close proximity to Maraetai.

For the motor racing circuit in Dunedin, New Zealand, see Beachlands Speedway.
Beachlands
Suburb
Sunkist Bay in Beachlands, New Zealand
CountryNew Zealand
Local authorityAuckland Council
Electoral wardFranklin Ward
Local boardFranklin Local Board
Established1920s
Population
 (2018)
 • Total6,261
Ferry terminal(s)Pine Harbour Marina
(Waitematā Harbour), Waiheke Island
(Tamaki Strait), Howick
Beachlands
 Maraetai
Whitford Clevedon

While connected to Auckland's waste water reticulation, all the properties collect their own rain water. Some properties have tapped into the underlying aquifers fed from the adjacent Maraetai-Brookby range of hills. No potable rivers are utilised for potable water locally.

Many English migrants and increasing numbers of South Africans have moved into the area in recent years. Houses in old Beachlands often come with a quarter of an acre of land. The housing ranges from cliff top mansions to rambling and somewhat run down baches. The newer areas of Pine Harbour, Spinnaker Bay and Pony Park contain modern houses, generally with smaller gardens than in old Beachlands. District plan minimum size is 700 square metres for a section (piece of land), although some subdivisions were approved during a brief period which saw some in-fill housing (more sections in a given area).

The fully serviced marina at Pine Harbour includes a ferry service to central Auckland with 20 departures per day in each direction on Mondays to Fridays. In 2015, the 570-berth Pine Harbour Marina and some 9 hectares of associated land were sold for $22 million.[2]

View from Beachlands overlooking Motukaraka Island and the Hauraki Gulf

Natural attractions in the immediate area include Sunkist Bay Beach, Shelly Beach and Snapper Rock. The Domain is the small park in the centre of Beachlands on the corner of Beachlands Road, Sunkist Bay Road and Karaka Road. Offshore, Motukaraka Island (also known as Flat Top Island or Flat Island) is located near the entrance to Pine Harbour Marina and is accessible at low tide. It is a short walk from the shore.

Te Puru Sports Centre, located in Te Puru Park between Beachlands and Maraetai, is the base for the Te Puru Keas (junior cubs), Cubs, Scouts and Venturers. A gym, tennis, sports fields and a large indoor arena provide a cultural centre that unites Beachlands and neighbouring Maraetai into 'the Pohutukawa Coast' community. The Te Puru Centre was initiated by local effort and fundraising and completed with a 50% grant from former Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis.

A walkway/cycle-way runs between Maraetai and Beachlands following the coast through Omana and Te Puru.

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20063,417—    
20134,566+4.23%
20186,261+6.52%
Source: [3]
Cliffside on the bay near Beachlands

Beachlands, comprising the statistical areas of Sunkist Bay and Te Puru, had a population of 6,261 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,695 people (37.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,844 people (83.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 2,046 households. There were 3,144 males and 3,114 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.01 males per female, with 1,539 people (24.6%) aged under 15 years, 927 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 3,096 (49.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 699 (11.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 91.7% European/Pākehā, 8.6% Māori, 2.6% Pacific peoples, 5.3% Asian, and 2.3% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 27.2%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 55.4% had no religion, 34.7% were Christian, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.4% were Muslim, 0.3% were Buddhist and 2.1% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,224 (25.9%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 540 (11.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,772 (58.7%) people were employed full-time, 741 (15.7%) were part-time, and 120 (2.5%) were unemployed.[3]

Education

Beachlands School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of 646 as of March 2020.[4][5]

There are no colleges for students aged 13–18 in the area but there are free buses providing access to schools such as Howick College and Botany Downs Secondary College as well as special character schools such as Elim Christian College, Sancta Maria College, Saint Kentigern College and Star of the Sea primary school.

References
  1. "Beachlands: Options for Sustainable Development" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
  2. "Pine Harbour Marina sold for $22m". New Zealand Herald Business. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Sunkist Bay (155000) and Te Puru (156400). 2018 Census place summary: Sunkist Bay 2018 Census place summary: Te Puru
  4. "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  5. Education Counts: Beachlands School

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