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.[5]
History
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.[6] After the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Okiato (renamed Russell), was chosen as the capital instead. 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.[7] In 1886 Hobsonville had a post office open.[8] By 1908 it had become a town district within the Waitemata County.[7]
The first European settler of the area, Rice Owen Clark, bought land in 1854. As the ground was too moist for farming Clark began focusing on developing the land for clay production.[9] During the early history of Auckland, large clay and brickworks operated in the area such as in Limeburners Bay and at the Clark's Brickworks, to the south-east of Hobsonville along the shores of the Waitematā Harbour.[4][10] 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.[10][9] Under Clark's son, Rice Owen Clark II, the pottery works would expand and become the largest in the southern hemisphere.[11]
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.[12]
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.[9]
Remnants of the pottery works such as old broken pieces of pottery still exist along the shore around Limeburners Bay.[12]
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.[8]
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.[13]
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."[14]
The first 30 of an order of what was intended as over 100 North American P-51 Mustangs were delivered to New Zealand in August–September 1945. By this time, the Second World War was over, Japan having surrendered following the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Mustangs were deemed to be surplus to requirements and the remainder of the order was cancelled. However, the aircraft already in New Zealand could not be returned. They were duly placed on the RNZAF inventory as NZ2401 to NZ2430, but put into storage at Hobsonville. Later, they were moved to the stores depot at Te Rapa and then onto Ardmore.[15] They were later issued in small numbers to the four regional fighter squadrons of the Territorial Air Force.
The station was administratively joined with the airfield at Whenuapai in 1965 to become RNZAF Base Auckland.[16] Since 2001, the operations based in Hobsonville began to be relocated to other bases.[13]
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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19]
Initially plans included some state housing in the development; however, the setting aside of a good portion of land for state housing was criticised as an economic mistake by Opposition leader and MP for Helensville (which included Hobsonville at the time) John Key, as this would lower land and house values in Hobsonville. After the 2008 election, following which Key would serve as Prime Minister, Key removed the state housing requirements from Hobsonville Point and instead introduced a 'gateway housing' scheme to help first-time home buyers.[20][21]
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: [22]
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.[23] 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.[22]
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.[22]
Historically the Hobsonville economy was made up of pottery works and farming.[9] Later during the early 20th century Hobsonville was growing grass seed and oats at commercial scale. After the end of World War II most of the farmland became pasture for use in agriculture.[8]
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.[4] 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.[28]
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 559 students.[citation needed] 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 1–8) school with a roll of approximately 761 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.[29]
Hobsonville Point Secondary School is a state secondary (Year 9–13) school with a roll of approximately 857 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 November 2024.[30]
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.[31] In 1865 there was a weekly ferry service to Riverhead and a regular service ran from Riverhead to Auckland and would stop at Brigham's Creek, Beach Haven, and Hobsonville. Prior to the ferry service residents had to hire or purchase a boat for transportation.[8]
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.[11]
A ferry service runs between Launch Bay, Beach Haven, and the Auckland CBD from Hobsonville following the construction of a ferry wharf.[32][33][34] Hobsonville Marina (formerly Westpark Marina) also runs a service to the CBD.[35]
Hobsonville Road was originally part of State Highway 18 until the construction of the Upper Harbour Motorway.[36][37] The Upper Harbour Motorway, connecting the Greenhithe bridge to the end of the Northwestern Motorway, was completed in August 2011, thus taking a considerable amount of through traffic away from the main local road. As part of the Western Ring Route the motorway is intended to provide a faster link from the West to the North Auckland region.[38]
Notable places
Clark House is a category I listed historic home in Hobsonville. Built by Rice Owen Clark II it was later sold and used by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.[39]
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.[40][9] Limeburners Bay Historic Reserve is a small part of the foreshore of Limeburners Bay that has been preserved as a Council reserve.[3][41]
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.[42] The cottages date between 1902 and 1928.[43]
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.[42][44]
Sunderland Avenue is where junior officers and their families were housed. The homes were built c.1937 in the English Domestic Revival style.[46]
Mill House was built for Doug Mill who operated an aerial surveying business out of Hobsonville.[46]
The Headquarters building is an art deco building with an associated parade ground.[46]
The No 4 Hangar was used to house wasp helicopters. It is now used for ship building.[46]
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.[46]
Amenities
A public walkway connects much of the shore around Hobsonville.[47]
The Hobsonville Marina serves as the local marina for Hobsonville. It was formerly known as Westpark Marina and was created following a 1979 act of parliament for the Waitemata County Council.[35] The marina itself has close to 100 people living on 80 of the boats moored there.[48]
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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 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
