Hobsonville is a suburb in West Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand. Historically a rural settlement, Hobsonville has now developed into a suburb of Auckland.[3]
Hobsonville was one of the earliest European settlements in the area and became a large part of the early pottery industry in New Zealand. Hobsonville later served as a Royal New Zealand Air Force base from 1920 to 2001. Following the closure of the air base a plan for a large scale residential development was undertaken by the Housing Ministry.
Photo from 1912 showing Greenhithe (left), Herald Island (front right), and Hobsonville (back right)
Hobsonville's boundaries with the neighbouring Whenuapai and West Harbour are not defined. Early maps of the area show Hobsonville to cover the entire peninsula.[4] The Hobsonville peninsula rises to less than 30m (98ft) above sea level. Most of Hobsonville's soil is allophanic.[5]
History
Pre-European
Archaeological evidence points to periodic and seasonal occupation of the peninsula by Maori between the 17th and early 19th century. No evidence exists to suggest any permanent settlement of the Hobsonville area.[6][7] The poor soil quality around the Wallace and Waiarohia inlets prevented permanent settlement until after European farming techniques were able to improve the soil quality.[8]
Settlement and pottery
Limeburners Bay pottery works in 1905. Clark House can be seen in backgroundPottery moulders working at Clark's pottery works
Hobsonville was named after the first Governor of New Zealand, William Hobson. After landing by sea at the site, Hobson thought it suitable as the seat of Government for New Zealand but later rejected this on the advice of the Surveyor-General of New Zealand, Felton Matthew.[9] Hobsonville was acquired by The Crown in 1853 as part of the Waipareira block. An 1854 hydrographical chart refers to it as being fern land.[10] In 1886 Hobsonville had a post office open.[11] By 1909 it had become a town district within the Waitemata County, but by 1913 it had been dissolved.[12][10]
The first European settler of the area, Rice Owen Clark, bought land in 1854. As the ground was too moist for farming due to the poor permeability of the soil, Clark developed tiles from the clay to drain his property to enable farming. Other settlers paid Clark to make tiles for their properties and Clark moved from agriculture to pottery as this was more lucrative, later establishing a large pottery work at Limeburner's Bay.[6][5][13] Hobsonville was the centre for the heavy clay industry in Auckland between 1863 and 1929, specialising in glazed pottery, such as drain pipes, garden ornaments and household utensils.[13][6] Under Clark's son, Rice Owen Clark II, the pottery works would expand and become the largest in the southern hemisphere through foreshore reclamation and introduction of steam power.[14][15] Attempts to expand the market for ceramics resulted in the construction of Clark House, which was constructed with hollow ceramic blocks. Several other buildings were built with this method—mostly in Hobsonville—but it never became widely adopted and was eventually abandoned.[a][16] Another attempt resulted in one of the earliest buildings to use concrete in the Auckland region: a duplex constructed from lime concrete that used pottery and clinker as an aggregate.[17] The church cemetery also contains graves constructed with ceramics.[3]
Other pottery works in the area include: Joshua Carder's, Carder was a potter from Staffordshire and set up works in late 1863; Robert Holland's, Holland set up at Limeburners Bay in c.1904 but was bought out by Clark 5 years later; and Ockleston's in 1903 at the Waiarohia inlet, Ockleston's was bought around the same time as Holland's by Clark and was the only pottery works not located around the southern part of the Hobsonville peninsula.[18][7]
Much of the land however was not built upon during this time. In 1929, the clayworks closed, as the cost of transporting the dwindling clay resources from the area became too high. During the Great Depression, the West Auckland clay industries amalgamated, and were centralised at New Lynn.[6] These pottery works formed the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Company that later became Ceramco.[14]
Remnants of the pottery works such as old broken pieces of pottery still exist along the shore around Limeburners Bay.[18]
Henry Clark sold 167 acres (68ha) of land in Hobsonville to the New Zealand Permanent Air Force in November 1925. The land sold was farmland and featured a few buildings. By 1929 the base had an office, control hut, boat shed, hangar, jetty and slipway, and several houses for airmen. The Hobsonville airbase also had a pigeon loft as they used carrier pigeons in the aircraft before obtaining wireless equipment later.[11]
1 Technical Training School's hangar, Hobsonville
Hobsonville still has many historical buildings from the 1920s and 1930s relating to the airfield, including officers' residences, barracks, and hangars which were used to house seaplanes and helicopters.[19] In 1937 the New Zealand Permanent Air Force became the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Cochrane Report led to Hobsonville becoming a seaplane station, with Whenuapai and Ohakea taking non-seaplanes. Munitions were stored at Bomb Bay, becoming the area now known as Bomb Point.[7]
From September 1938 a register of potential tradesmen and groundstaff for any necessary expansion of the RNZAF was begun. "The Munich crisis made it appear that war might break out at any time, and the scheme was put into effect immediately.. [t]he expansion of the RNZAF immediately before the war was so rapid that the Technical Training School at Hobsonville could not train sufficient fitters and riggers for the service."[20] This led to population growth at the Hobsonville base and necessitated the development of new housing and facilities.[7]
During the Second World War Hobsonville served as a base for testing aircraft before deployment else where in the Pacific. Following the war Hobsonville was used for technical training by the RNZAF. Seaplanes declined following the Second World War and the last seaplane flight at Hobsonville took place in 1967.[7] The station was administratively joined with the airfield at Whenuapai in 1965 to become RNZAF Base Auckland.[7] Since 2001, the operations based in Hobsonville began to be relocated to other bases and defence force land was marked as surplus and gradually sold off.[7]
Redevelopment
Photo taken on Clark Road showing the difference between October 2017 (left) and May 2022 (right) with the Hobsonville Church barely visible in the right photo
Hobsonville was still rural throughout most of the 20th century. Towards the end of the century and into the early 21st century, Hobsonville became increasingly urbanised.[21] Incommodious housing estates have been developed in recent years but there are still some rural sections left.[3] The start of this growth occurred in 2002, with the sale of the Hobsonville Airfield to Housing New Zealand. Housing New Zealand initially planned to develop the area to have 3,000 homes. This number increased to 4,500 by 2019.[22] The development is known as Hobsonville Point. Led by the Hobsonville Land Company (HLC) a subsidiary of Housing New Zealand, the HLC plans the layout, infrastructure, and amenities whilst private developers build the homes.[23]
Initially plans included some state housing in the development; however, this criticised as an economic mistake by Opposition leader and MP for Helensville (which included Hobsonville at the time) John Key.[b] After the 2008 election, following which Key would serve as Prime Minister, Key removed the state housing requirements and instead introduced a scheme to help first-time home buyers.[24][25]
Demographics
Hobsonville covers 6.42km2 (2.48sqmi)[1] and had an estimated population of 15,370 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 2,394 people per km2.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
2006
1,608
—
2013
1,692
+0.73%
2018
5,046
+24.43%
2023
14,025
+22.68%
The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 5.71 km2. Source: [26]
Hobsonville had a population of 14,025 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 8,979 people (177.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 12,333 people (728.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 6,690 males, 7,296 females and 39 people of other genders in 4,977 dwellings.[27] 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 34.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 3,153 people (22.5%) aged under 15 years, 2,205 (15.7%) aged 15 to 29, 7,134 (50.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,533 (10.9%) aged 65 or older.[26]
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 55.3% European (Pākehā); 5.7% Māori; 3.7% Pasifika; 40.6% Asian; 3.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.0% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 91.1%, Māori language by 0.8%, Samoan by 0.5%, and other languages by 37.1%. No language could be spoken by 3.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 49.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Of those at least 15 years old, 4,017 (36.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 3,753 (34.5%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,920 (17.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $63,500, compared with $41,500 nationally. 2,688 people (24.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 6,918 (63.6%) people were employed full-time, 1,119 (10.3%) were part-time, and 198 (1.8%) were unemployed.[26]
Historically the Hobsonville economy was made up of pottery works and farming.[6] Later during the early 20th century Hobsonville was growing grass seed and oats at commercial scale. After the end of the Second World War most of the farmland became pasture for use in agriculture.[11] Market gardens were also common in the period following the Second World War to the residential developments starting around the 21st century.[5][7]
An area of 0.2km2 on Hobsonville Peninsula is to become a 'Marine Industry Cluster' for shipbuilding. A super yacht builder is already occupying part of the headland, and it is hoped that this will become the nucleus of a local industry to provide up to 3,000 jobs.[32] However, a later article in The New Zealand Herald stated that only 1,000 are expected to be created, though it also notes that in the meantime, three more boat building companies have already taken up residence in former aircraft hangars and old RNZAF buildings. The Marine Industry Association is pushing for the 'Marine Industry Cluster' zone change to safeguard these industries and allow further expansion.[33]
Education
Hobsonville has four schools, three primary and one secondary:
Hobsonville School is a state full primary (Year 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 502 students.[34]
Hobsonville School first opened in 1875 operating out of the Hobsonville Church. In 1895 the school relocated to its current premises.[3]
Hobsonville Point Primary School is a state full primary (Year 0–8) school with a roll of approximately 696 students. Opened in February 2013, it was the first school in New Zealand constructed under a public–private partnership, with the school buildings constructed and managed by a private consortium.
Scott Point School is a state full primary (Year 1–8) school, which opened in temporary buildings in 2021, while the construction of the permanent school was still underway.[35]
Hobsonville Point Secondary School is a state secondary (Year 9–13) school with a roll of approximately 957 students. Opened in February 2014, the school initially served only Year 9, adding years as the 2014 Year 9 cohort moved through. Like its primary counterpart, the school was constructed under a public–private partnership.
All these schools are coeducational. Rolls are as at March 2025.[36]
Transportation
The Hobsonville ferry terminal at Launch Bay
Historically the main form of travel between Hobsonville and the rest of Auckland was via boat at places like Limeburner's Bay, Bruce's Wharf (Launch Bay), and Brickbat Bay.[37] In 1865 there was a weekly ferry service to Riverhead that would sometimes stop at Hobsonville. In 1892 a regular service stopped at Brigham's Creek, Beach Haven, Greenhithe, and Hobsonville. Prior to the ferry service residents had to hire or purchase a boat for transportation.[11][7]
One of the earliest roads was constructed by the Waitemata County Council after June 1883 to provide access to Bruce's Wharf.[7] Motor vehicles arrived in the 1920s but the first main road was of poor quality. It was not metalled but instead made mostly from clinker with broken pottery and shells for binding also used.[15]
A ferry service runs between Launch Bay, Beach Haven, and the Auckland CBD from Hobsonville following the construction of a ferry wharf.[38][39][40] Hobsonville Marina (formerly Westpark Marina) also runs a service to the CBD.[41] The ferry service had over 15,000 passengers in March 2017.[42]
Hobsonville Road was part of State Highway 18 until the construction of the Upper Harbour Motorway.[43][44] The Upper Harbour Motorway, connecting the Greenhithe bridge to the end of the Northwestern Motorway, was completed in August 2011, taking 80% of through traffic away from Hobsonville Road.[45][46]
Notable places
Clark House is a category I listed historic home in Hobsonville. Built by Rice Owen Clark II using a unique design of hollow ceramic blocks, it was later sold and used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for hosting meetings and housing the Aviation Medicine Unit.[16]
Hobsonville Church & Settlers' Cemetery is a category II listed historic Church and cemetery in Hobsonville. Built by John Danby on land donated by Rice Owen Clark the cemetery is the resting place of many of the original settlers and their families.[3]
An old boiler used in pottery production at Limeburners Bay
Limeburners Bay is an important cultural heritage site where much of Hobsonville's pottery was made.[47][6] Most of the pottery works archaeological remains were damaged or destroyed from the 1960s to 1990s.[14] Limeburners Bay Historic Reserve is a small part of the foreshore of Limeburners Bay that has been preserved as a Council reserve.[3][48]
Clarks Lane is a small lane in Hobsonville that is classified as historic heritage area by Auckland Council. The area originally contained 11 buildings to house workers for the pottery works but today only five cottages and one villa remain. The site also contains the former Brigham Creek Church which was relocated to the site due to it being within the path of the SH18 upgrade.[49] The cottages date between 1902 and 1928.[50] As the Upper Harbour Motorway goes between Clarks Lane and the rest of Hobsonville a pedestrian footbridge was constructed over the motorway. The bridge features artwork inspired by the pottery industry in Hobsonville.[51]
The Three Unit House, also known as the Boarding and Engineer's House is a historic building located on Clarks Road that was built with the same hollow ceramic blocks as Clark House. The house was used to house workers for Clark's pottery works.[49][52]
Sunderland Avenue is where junior officers and their families were housed. The homes were built c.1937 in the English Domestic Revival style.[54]
Mill House was built for Doug Mill who operated an aerial surveying business out of Hobsonville.[54]
The Headquarters building is an art deco building with an associated parade ground.[54]
The No 4 Hangar was used to house wasp helicopters. It is now used for ship building.[54]
The married officer houses are 4 houses on Marlborough Crescent. Built between 1925 and 1936 one house was built in the bungalow style and the other three were built in the English Cottage style.[54]
Rozer's House was built by Alex Sinton for the local policeman. The villa later became a restaurant and in 2020 was moved to a property near Hungry Creek in Puhoi when the site was developed for a supermarket.[8][5]
Amenities
The Linear Coastal walkway is a 5km (3.1mi) long track around part of the peninsula.[7][55]
The Hobsonville Marina serves as the local marina for Hobsonville with 592 berths. It was formerly known as Westpark Marina and was created following a 1979 act of parliament for the Waitemata County Council.[41][56] The marina itself has close to 100 people living on 80 of the boats moored there.[57] A controversy around the marina has developed with the owner of the marina's lease wanting to develop part of it as apartments with the support of Auckland Council property development agency Eke Panuku. A submission on the sale of the land to the developer was opposed by 90% of submitters and some lawyers stating the sale would be illegal due to the terms of the 1979 parliament act that established the marina as a public asset.[56]
Notes
↑ The known buildings to use the method are the Warkworth Town Hall, Rodney County Council offices (demolished), the engineers/3 bedroom house, Clark Cottage, and an unknown worker's building at Sinton Road, now demolished.[8][16][6]
↑ John Key argued that including state housing would lower property values in the area.[24][25]
↑ Bloomfield, Gerald Taylor (1973). The Evolution of Local Government Areas in Metropolitan Auckland, 1840-1971. Auckland: [Auckland]: Auckland University Press. p.70. ISBN0-19-647714-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
1 2 Diamond, John T. (1992). "The Brick and Pottery Industry in the Western Districts". In Northcote-Bade, James (ed.). West Auckland Remembers, Volume 2. West Auckland Historical Society. pp.47, 52. ISBN0-473-01587-0.
1 2 3 Clough, Rod; Shakles, Richard (November 2014). Limeburners Bay Residential Development, 18-28 Bannings Way, Hobsonville: Archaeological Monitoring at Site R11/1508 in Fulfilment Of Heritage NZ Authority No. 2012/638 (Report).
1 2 Foster, Russel; Felgate, Matthew (September 2011). Archaeological investigation of the field cottage and Ockleston House, Hobsonville (Report). New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
↑ Yang, Yizhao; Taufen, Anne (17 March 2022). The Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Cities and Landscapes in the Pacific Rim. Abingdon, Oxon New York, NY: Routledge. pp.613–616. ISBN978-1-000-53249-4.
↑ Marchettini, Nadia; Brebbia, C. A.; Pulselli, Riccardo M.; Bastianoni, S. (2014). The Sustainable City IX. Southampton: WIT Press. p.1638. ISBN978-1-78466-024-6.
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Hobsonville
