To celebrate the Auckland Heritage Festival last year, we sent our photographer out and about to capture the changing face of Auckland.
Using photographs from Auckland Library’s Heritage Collection, he framed them up against today’s landscape. Check out the results below!
Queens Wharf 1919 and 2016
It’s easy to forget that in 1919, water was lapping nearly all the way up to Britomart. The ferry building makes for a familiar touch point in the Queens Wharf skyline.
Takapuna Beach 1897 and 2016
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries 7-A4044
The North Shore’s stunning beaches are just as popular with Aucklanders today.
Avondale Racecourse 1899 and 2016
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries 7-A1724
Enjoying a day out at the races has a long tradition, although we might not take the horse and carriage these days.
St Heliers Bay Beach 1923 and 2016
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries 7_A3428.
Crowds still sunbathe on the sands of St Heliers Bay Beach – see if you can spot the amphibious bi-plane!
Glenora Park Takanini 1911 and 2016
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries 2-V8
On 9 February 1911 Vivian Walsh took off from Glenora Park Racecourse, Takanini, at the controls of Manurewa – meaning ‘flying bird’. He rose to a height of about 6m and flew for more than 275m. This was the first observed successful aeroplane flight in New Zealand.
Blockhouse Bay 1961 and 2016
Housing development has come a long way since 1961 when Blockhouse Bay was still mostly empty lots.
Victoria Street West 1917 and 2016
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries W1594
Victoria Street almost a hundred years later has a few more (taller) buildings – including our now iconic Sky Tower.
St Heliers 1911 and 2016
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries 1-W29
Development along St Heliers has stepped up since 1911.
Photography by Jay Farnworth
