Campbells Bay

For the beach on the Tāwharanui Peninsula, see Campbells Beach.

Suburb in Auckland, New Zealand

Campbells Bay

Suburb

Coordinates: 36°44′52″S 174°45′32″E﻿ / ﻿36.74778°S 174.75889°E﻿ / -36.74778; 174.75889
Country| New Zealand
City| Auckland
Local authority| Auckland Council
Electoral ward| Albany ward
Local board| Hibiscus and Bays
Area

[1]

• Land| 174 ha (430 acres)
Population

(June 2024)[2]

• Total

| 2,960
Postcode(s)|

0630, 0620[3]

Windsor Park | Mairangi Bay | (Hauraki Gulf)

|
|

Sunnynook |

Campbells Bay

| (Hauraki Gulf)
Glenfield | Forrest Hill | Castor Bay

Campbells Bay is a suburb of the North Shore located in Auckland, New Zealand.[4]

## Geography

[edit]

Eroding Waitemata Group sandstone cliffs at Campbells Bay

Campbells Bay is located in the East Coast Bays of the North Shore, between Mairangi Bay and Castor Bay.[5] The bay to the east shares the same name as the suburb, and looks out towards the Hauraki Gulf and the Coromandel Peninsula.[6] South of Campbells Bay beach is a cliff, known as Red Bluff.[7]

The land is primarily formed from clay and Waitemata sandstone, which can be seen in the cliffs along the coast.[8][9] Prior to human settlement, the inland Campbells Bay area was primarily a northern broadleaf podocarp forest, dominated by kauri, with significant numbers of tōtara, mataī, miro, kauri and kahikatea trees. Pōhutukawa trees were a major feature of the coastline.[10][11]

## History

[edit]

### Māori history

[edit]

Māori settlement of the Auckland Region began around the 13th or 14th centuries.[12][13] The North Shore was settled by Tāmaki Māori, including people descended from the Tainui migratory canoe and ancestors of figures such as Taikehu and Peretū.[14] Many of the Tāmaki Māori people of the North Shore identified as Ngā Oho.[15] While the poor soils around the East Coast Bays hindered dense settlement,[8] traditional resources in the area included fish, shellfish and marine birds.[16] The traditional name for the coast between Murrays Bay and Campbells Bay is Waipapa.[17][18]

The warrior Maki migrated from the Kāwhia Harbour to his ancestral home in the Auckland Region, likely sometime in the 17th century. Maki conquered and unified many the Tāmaki Māori tribes as Te Kawerau ā Maki, including those of the North Shore.[19][20] After Maki's death, his sons settled different areas of his lands, creating new hapū. His younger son Maraeariki settled the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast, who based himself at the head of the Ōrewa River. Maraeariki's daughter Kahu succeeded him, and she is the namesake of the North Shore, Te Whenua Roa o Kahu ("The Greater Lands of Kahu").[21][22] Many of the iwi of the North Shore, including Ngāti Manuhiri, Ngāti Maraeariki, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Poataniwha, Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Whātua, can trace their lineage to Kahu.[22][23]

By the 18th century, the Marutūāhu iwi Ngāti Paoa had expanded their influence to include the islands of the Hauraki Gulf and the North Shore.[24] After periods of conflict, peace had been reached by the 1790s.[25] The earliest contact with Europeans began in the late 18th century, which caused many Tāmaki Māori to die of rewharewha, respiratory diseases.[26] During the early 1820s, most Māori of the North Shore fled for the Waikato or Northland due to the threat of war parties during the Musket Wars. Most people had returned by the late 1820s and 1830s.[13][24][27]

### European settlement

[edit]

A flyer advertising the sale of allotments at the Campbell's Beach Estate, 1908 Aerial view of Campbells Bay in 1959

In 1841, the Crown purchased the Mahurangi and Omaha blocks; an area that spanned from Takapuna to Te Ārai. The purchase involved some iwi with customary interests in the area, such as Ngāti Paoa, other Marutūāhu iwi and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, but not others, such as Te Kawerau ā Maki or Ngāti Rango.[28][29][23][30] The Crown spent until 1873 rectifying this sale, by making further deals with stakeholders.[29][30]

The land at Campbells Bay was first purchased by John Logan Campbell in 1845.[31] In 1850, Scottish immigrant Donald Mackay from Reay came to New Zealand to join his brother Alexander Mackay, who was farming land near Lake Pupuke. Alexander Mackay bought 60 acres of land from Campbell, to develop into a farm worked by his brother Donald.[32][33][34] Around this period, one of the largest kauri gum diggers camps on the North Shore was established in the area.[11] Originally known as Donalds Bay,[32] the bay became known as Johnston's Bay, after the Johnston family from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland set up a dairy farm and grew vegetables in the area.[33] The Johnston family sold their milk to residents in Takapuna and the gum diggers who visited the area.[32] In 1885, 70 hectares of scrubland was gazetted as a nature reserve called the Takapuna Domain (renamed Centennial Park in 1940), which overtime regenerated into native bush.[35][36]

The Johnston family sold the farm to a farmer named Mr. Cave in 1888,[32] around the time that orchards became an important feature of the farm.[37] In 1894, Mr. Cave sold the property to Duncan Campbell, well known for his Auckland shoe store, after which the bay became known as Campbells Bay.[32][38] In 1912, the farm was subdivided, and Campbells Bay became a popular spot for holidayers, due to its relative proximity to the terminus for the Milford to Bayswater tram. Holiday baches were built in the area until World War I stopped the construction of new baches.[32][38] In 1914, a portion of the Takapuna Domain became the Pupuke Golf Club,[39] and from 1920 better roading in the area led to the construction of permanent homes.[32]

In 1938, the Central Methodist Mission established a health camp at Campbells Bay, which by the 1940s became the main health camp for in-need youth in Auckland.[8] In 1940 to celebrate 100 years since the establishment of Auckland, Takapuna Domain was renamed Centennial Park, and extensive planting was done to create a native bush.[36] During World War II, defensive pillboxes were constructed in Centennial Park.[36]

## Local government

[edit]

From 1876 until 1954, the area was administered by the Waitemata County, a large rural county north and west of the city of Auckland.[40] In 1954, the area split from the county, forming the East Coast Bays Borough Council,[40] which became East Coast Bays City in 1975.[41] In 1989, the city was merged into the North Shore City.[41] North Shore City was amalgamated into Auckland Council in November 2010.[42]

Within the Auckland Council, Campbells Bay is a part of the Hibiscus and Bays local government area governed by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. It is a part of the Albany ward, which elects two councillors to the Auckland Council.

## Demographics

[edit]

Campbells Bay covers 1.74 km2 (0.67 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 2,960 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,701 people per km2.

Historical populationYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2006| 2,688| —
2013| 2,835| +0.76%
2018| 2,889| +0.38%
2023| 2,847| −0.29%
Source: [43][44]

Campbells Bay had a population of 2,847 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 42 people (−1.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 12 people (0.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,419 males, 1,422 females and 6 people of other genders in 966 dwellings.[45] 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 42.1 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 540 people (19.0%) aged under 15 years, 489 (17.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,344 (47.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 474 (16.6%) aged 65 or older.[44]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 75.8% European (Pākehā); 6.3% Māori; 0.7% Pasifika; 23.1% Asian; 2.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 94.9%, Māori language by 0.4%, and other languages by 24.3%. No language could be spoken by 1.3% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.1%. The percentage of people born overseas was 39.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 28.5% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.8% Islam, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.1% New Age, 0.6% Jewish, and 0.9% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 61.2%, and 6.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,068 (46.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 918 (39.8%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 324 (14.0%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $54,200, compared with $41,500 nationally. 666 people (28.9%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,146 (49.7%) people were employed full-time, 411 (17.8%) were part-time, and 54 (2.3%) were unemployed.[44]

## Education

[edit]

An aerial shot of Campbells Bay Primary School in the year 2000

Campbells Bay Primary School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of 737 students as of March 2025,[46][47] which opened in August 1925.[48] In 1973, Kristin School was established at the former Methodist Health Camp in Campbells Bay.[49] As the school grew rapidly, a new campus was opened in Albany in 1978.[50]

## Amenities

[edit]

* A popular public walkway connects Campbells Bay to Browns Bay in the north, passing sections of exposed Waitemata sandstone.[9]
* Centennial Park, a 70-hectare park which is the largest area of regenerating native bush in the East Coast Bays area.[35]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 1 January 2025.
2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
3. ^ "Search Result - auckland campbells bay Auckland - New Zealand Postcode".
4. ^ "Place name detail: Campbells Bay". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
5. ^ "Campbells Bay". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
6. ^ "Campbells Bay". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
7. ^ "Red Bluff". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
8. ^ a b c Heritage Consultancy Services (1 July 2011). North Shore Heritage - Thematic Review Report Volume 1 (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. ISBN 978-1-927169-21-6. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
9. ^ a b Janssen, Peter (January 2021), Greater Auckland Walks, New Holland Publishers, p. 43-45, OL 34023249W, Wikidata Q118136068
10. ^ Veart, Dave (2018). The Māori Archaeology of Te Raki Paewhenua/North Shore (Report). Auckland North Community and Development. p. 10\. ISBN 978-0-9941358-4-1.
11. ^ a b Willis 2018, pp. 2.
12. ^ Pishief, Elizabeth; Shirley, Brendan (August 2015). "Waikōwhai Coast Heritage Study" (PDF). Auckland Council. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
13. ^ a b Boffa Miskell. Penlink Cultural & Environmental Design Framework: Penlink Cultural and Environmental Context (PDF) (Report). Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
14. ^ Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki (April 2016). Cultural Values Assessment Report to New Zealand Transport Agency for Northern Corridor Improvements Project (NCI) (PDF) (Report). NZ Transport Agency. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
15. ^ Mossman, Sarah (August 2018). Cultural Values Assessment for America's Cup 36 - Wynyard and Hobson Planning Application (PDF). Te Kawerau Iwi Tribunal Authority (Report). Retrieved 30 June 2023.
16. ^ McKenzie, Fiona (June 2016). Cultural Impact Assessment for the NZ Transport Agency's Northern Corridor Improvements (PDF). Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust (Report). NZ Transport Agency. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
17. ^ Boffa Miskell (August 2018). Strategic Parks Service Assessment (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
18. ^ Willis 2018, pp. 22.
19. ^ "Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area" (PDF). Auckland Council. December 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
20. ^ Murdoch, Graeme (1990). "Nga Tohu o Waitakere: the Maori Place Names of the Waitakere River Valley and its Environs; their Background History and an Explanation of their Meaning". In Northcote-Bade, James (ed.). West Auckland Remembers, Volume 1. West Auckland Historical Society. pp. 13–14\. ISBN 0-473-00983-8.
21. ^ Ngāti Manuhiri; The Crown (21 May 2011). "Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
22. ^ a b Whaanga, Mel (March 2022). "He taonga o te rohe". Restore Hibiscus & Bays. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
23. ^ a b Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki and the Trustees of the Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki Trust and the Crown (7 November 2015). "Deed of settlement schedule documents" (PDF). NZ Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
24. ^ a b New Zealand Government; Ngāti Paoa (20 March 2021). "Ngāti Pāoa and the Trustees of the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust and The Crown Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
25. ^ "Wenderholm Regional Park: Our History" (PDF). Auckland Council. 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
26. ^ McKenzie, Fiona (May 2017). "Cultural Values Assessment for the Warkworth North Structure Plan and Associated Development" (PDF). Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust. Auckland Council. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
27. ^ Ngāti Manuhiri; The Crown (21 May 2011). "Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
28. ^ Rigby, Barry (August 1998). The Crown, Maori and Mahurangi 1840-1881 (PDF) (Report). Waitangi Tribunal. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
29. ^ a b Stone 2001, pp. 188.
30. ^ a b Te Kawerau ā Maki; The Trustees of Te Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust; The Crown (22 February 2014). "Deed of Settlement of Historical Claim" (PDF). Retrieved 4 July 2023.
31. ^ Verran, David (20 April 2010). "Our history, East Coast Bays (Part one)". Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
32. ^ a b c d e f g Cass 1989, pp. 7.
33. ^ a b Willis 2018, pp. 25.
34. ^ Sheehan 2019, pp. 8.
35. ^ a b Verran, David 2010, pp. 157.
36. ^ a b c Lutz, Heike; Chan, Theresa (2011). North Shore heritage – North Shore area studies and scheduled items list: volume 2 parts 6+ (PDF). Heritage Consultancy Services (Report). Auckland Council. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
37. ^ Verran, David 2010, pp. 37.
38. ^ a b Willis 2018, pp. 26.
39. ^ Verran, David 2010, pp. 253.
40. ^ a b Reidy, Jade (2009). "How the West Was Run". In Macdonald, Finlay; Kerr, Ruth (eds.). West: The History of Waitakere. Random House. pp. 238–239\. ISBN 9781869790080.
41. ^ a b Mace, Tania (October 2006). "Browns Bay Heritage Walk" (PDF). North Shore City Council. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
42. ^ Blakeley, Roger (2015). "The planning framework for Auckland 'super city': an insider's view". Policy Quarterly. 11 (4). doi:10.26686/pq.v11i4.4572. ISSN 2324-1101.
43. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Campbells Bay (122200). 2018 Census place summary: Campbells Bay
44. ^ a b c "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Campbells Bay (122200). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
45. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
46. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
47. ^ Education Counts: Campbells Bay Primary School
48. ^ Verran, David 2010, pp. 84.
49. ^ Verran, David 2010, pp. 85.
50. ^ "Our Story". Kristin School. Retrieved 19 December 2021.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Cass, David (1989). ECB – the Years to 1989. East Coast Bays City Council.
* Sheehan, Vanessa (2019). An Almost Complete History of the East Coast Bays.
* Stone, R. C. J. (2001). From Tamaki-makau-rau to Auckland. Auckland University Press. ISBN 1869402596.
* Verran, David (2010). The North Shore: An Illustrated History. North Shore: Random House. ISBN 978-1-86979-312-8. OCLC 650320207. Wikidata Q120520385.
* Willis, Jenny (2018). Early History of East Coast Bays (Second ed.).

## External links

[edit]

* Photographs of Campbells Bay held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.

* v
* t
* e

East Coast Bays, Auckland, New Zealand

Populated places|

* Browns Bay
* Campbells Bay
* Castor Bay*
* Long Bay
* Mairangi Bay
* Murrays Bay
* Northcross
* Ōkura
* Redvale
* Rothesay Bay
* Torbay
* Waiake

Geographic features|

* Karepiro Bay
* Ōkura River
* Pōhutukawa Bay

Facilities and attractions|

* Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve
* Long Bay Regional Park
* Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre

Government|

* Auckland Council
* Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
* Albany Ward
* North Shore City Council (defunct)
* Rodney District Council (defunct)
* East Coast Bays electorate

Organisations|

* East Coast Bays AFC
* East Coast Bays Barracudas
* The Corelli International Academic School of the Arts (defunct)
* Long Bay College

*Castor Bay is located outside of the East Coast Bays subdivision of Hibiscus and Bays

Campbells Bay at Wikipedia's sister projects:

* Media from Commons
* Data from Wikidata

*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate
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