Waitematā is made up of vibrant communities, with suburbs full of special character and identity.
Proudly urban, with a fast growing population and host to 29 per cent of the region’s economic activity, Waitematā straddles the city centre, the waterfront, and some of Auckland’s most historic neighbourhoods.
The rich culture is shaped first by Māori, then European, Pacifika, Chinese and more recently migrants from all over the world. Productive relationships with mana whenua and mataawaka have promoted Maori culture and heritage and influenced the development of Waitematā and its sense of place.
Cultural highlights for visitors include Diwali, the Lantern Festival, Matariki and Pasifika.
Waitematā is the first local board area to adopt Smokefree playgrounds, Low Carbon Community and Accessibility initiatives, as well as leading the drive towards both Zero Waste and a Child Friendly City status.
"We are privileged to have one of Auckland’s most engaged and active communities," says Shale Chambers, chair of Waitematā Local Board.
“Board projects are well supported which shows the unified drive to be cycle and pedestrian friendly, for the natural environment to be protected and that there be ample opportunity for arts to reach people in their everyday life.”
In recent years one of the Board’s focuses has been on improving local parks. In 2015 four playgrounds were improved and designed with community input and a wider child age-group focus.
Among them is the century-old Myers Park, which continues to undergo improvements including the construction of a playground which was awarded top honours at the 2015 Resene Total Colour Awards 2015.
Waitematā suburbs: Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Ponsonby, Arch Hill, St Mary’s Bay, Freemans Bay, Newton, Eden Terrace, City Centre, Grafton, Westmere, Newmarket and Parnell.
Educational, cultural and sport facilities:
- Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Auckland Art Gallery
- Auckland Domain
- Silo Park
- Studio One Toi Tū
- Parnell Tennis club (the second oldest tennis club in the world)
- Auckland Domain Bowling Club (the oldest in the southern hemisphere)
- Auckland University
- ASB Tennis Arena
- Vector Arena
- Auckland University of Technology
- The Town Hall
- New Zealand Maritime Museum
Facts and figures:
- In 2013 Waitematā was home to 1.8 per cent of NZ's Population
- 77,136 people were living in the Waitematā Local Board area
- 10.2 per cent of the population was under 15 years
- The medium age was only 30.4 years, compared with New Zealand as a whole which was 38 years
- 86.6 per cent of households in Waitematā Local Board area had internet and 85 per cent had a cell phone
- There was 159,609 paid employees and 25,255 businesses.
Things to see and do:
- Get on your bike and cycle the city, so many new dedicated cycleways that make moving and seeing the city so much easier
- Take a walk through Western Springs and enjoy the wildlife sanctuary that is surrounded by a natural spring-fed lake
- Take a picnic to the Auckland War Memorial Museum as its free to use the Kai Room
- After visiting the Museum stretch your legs walking around The Domain’s Lovers Lane and Winter Gardens
- Take a cruise on the harbour, or learn how to sail on its clear waters
- Stop to smell the roses at Parnell Rose Garden
- Take the kids to the colourful, award-winning playground at Myers Park
- Cool off during the summer season and take swim out to the pontoons at Judges Bay.
Best kept secret: Oystercatchers (torea-pango) artwork by Rachel Walters. Visitors to Upper Queen Street may find themselves passing this piece without realising what it is. It is a very charismatic piece of art and one of the many little ‘art secrets’ that can be found all around Waitematā.
Check out Our Auckland for local up-and-coming events and keep informed with what is happening in the Waitematā Local Board area by following the local board on Facebook.
