Conifer Grove

Suburb in Auckland, New Zealand

Conifer Grove

Suburb

A coastal boardwalk along the Pahurehure Inlet at Conifer Grove

Coordinates: 37°03′00″S 174°54′40″E﻿ / ﻿37.0501°S 174.9112°E﻿ / -37.0501; 174.9112
Country| New Zealand
City| Auckland
Local authority| Auckland Council
Electoral ward| Manurewa-Papakura ward
Local board| Papakura Local Board
Established| 1960
Area

[1]

• Land| 225 ha (556 acres)
Population

(June 2024)[2]

• Total

| 6,040

Wattle Downs | Manurewa | Takanini

|
|

(Pahurehure Inlet) |

Conifer Grove

| Takanini
(Pahurehure Inlet) | (Pahurehure Inlet) | Papakura

Conifer Grove is a suburb of Auckland, in northern New Zealand. Located on the eastern shores of the Pahurehure Inlet, on the Manukau Harbour, under authority of the Auckland Council. Established in 1974 at the former site of a farm, the suburb makes up the western side of the Takanini urban area and is in the Manurewa-Papakura ward of Auckland. It includes the Waiata Shores subdivision developed by Fletcher Living in 2018, at the site of the former Manukau Golf Course.

## Geography

[edit]

Conifer Grove is located on a peninsula of land adjacent to the Pahurehure Inlet, bordered by the Great South Road to the east.[3] The name was chosen to reflect the environmental focus of the area, as approximately 1/5th of the area was set aside as nature reserves when the suburb was being established.[4]

Most of the streets are cul-de-sacs. Due to the suburbs design pattern, there was only one way in and out of the more recent area of Conifer Grove until 2021, when Brylee Drive was linked to Gosper Road of the adjacent Waiata Shores development. The Walter Strevens Drive roundabout also has a security camera which records vehicle movement in and out of the area.[5] The suburb is known for its tree-lined streets,[6] bay views, and until 2018 its border with the Manukau Golf Course.[7]

## History

[edit]

Aerial view of the Streven family farm in 1962, prior to the development of Conifer Grove

During much of the early 20th century, the area was the location of the Streven family farm.[4] The farm, previously Manukau Golf Course, is now the Waiata Shores subdivision. The names Walter Strevens Drive and Walter Strevens reserve come from the name of the patriarch of that family at the time it was sold - Walter John Strevens.[citation needed] In January 1974, 1,000 acres (400 ha) of the farm was developed into suburban housing,[4] developed as an upmarket "environmental subdivision".[8] Fraser Thomas were commissioned to design the subdivision and to manage its construction. Fraser Thomas were awarded Certificates of Merit by both the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.[9]

In 1981, Conifer Grove School was opened,[10] followed by the Conifer Grove shopping centre in 1985.[11]

In 2018, the first houses of Fletcher Living's Waiata Shores housing development at the former site of the Manukau Golf Course were made available to purchase.[12]

## Demographics

[edit]

Conifer Grove covers 2.25 km2 (0.87 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 6,040 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 2,684 people per km2.

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

|
|

2006| 4,572| —
2013| 4,620| +0.15%
2018| 4,713| +0.40%
2023| 5,907| +4.62%
Source: [13][14]

Conifer Grove had a population of 5,907 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,194 people (25.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,287 people (27.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,925 males, 2,970 females and 12 people of other genders in 1,947 dwellings.[15] 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,176 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,104 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 2,847 (48.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 780 (13.2%) aged 65 or older.[14]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 47.7% European (Pākehā); 18.7% Māori; 16.4% Pasifika; 31.9% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 91.4%, Māori language by 3.7%, Samoan by 5.3%, and other languages by 25.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 35.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.[14]

Religious affiliations were 34.3% Christian, 7.3% Hindu, 1.9% Islam, 1.5% Māori religious beliefs, 1.8% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 9.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 38.1%, and 5.4% of people did not answer the census question.[14]

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,248 (26.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,217 (46.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,269 (26.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $49,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 639 people (13.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,715 (57.4%) people were employed full-time, 462 (9.8%) were part-time, and 153 (3.2%) were unemployed.[14]

Individual statistical areas  Name | Area
(km2) | Population | Density
(per km2) | Dwellings | Median age | Median
income

|
|
|
|
|
|

Conifer Grove West | 1.59 | 3,606 | 2,268 | 1,161 | 38.1 years | $56,000[16]
Conifer Grove East | 0.65 | 2,301 | 3,540 | 786 | 32.4 years | $40,400[17]
New Zealand |  |  |  |  | 38.1 years | $41,500

## Facilities

[edit]

The older Conifer Grove precinct has a small shopping centre, however in the newly established Waiata Shores centre, it includes a Countdown supermarket and in the future will include more retail and office space.[citation needed]

There are various parks/reserves such as Brylee Drive Reserve with two tennis courts and playground. This links to a board walk which goes around the waters/mangroves edge, which is enjoyed by many of the residents. This walk has been extended to connect the boardwalk through to Walter Strevens Drive reserve.[18]

St. Aidan's Presbyterian Church was the first church constructed in the suburb in 1989.[19]

## Education

[edit]

Conifer Grove School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of 495 as of March 2025.[20][21] It is zoned primarily for Rosehill College.

## Local government

[edit]

Conifer Grove was originally a part of the Manurewa Ward of Manukau City when the suburb was first established in the 1970s.[4] In the local government reforms of 1989, the suburb was shifted from Manukau City to Papakura District.[4] In November 2010, all cities and districts of the Auckland Region were amalgamated into a single body, governed by the Auckland Council.[22] Conifer Grove is a part of the Papakura local board area. The residents of Conifer Grove elect a local board, and two councillors from the Manurewa-Papakura ward to sit on the Auckland Council.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 3 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 15 February 2025.
2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
3. ^ "Place name detail: Conifer Grove". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
4. ^ a b c d e Ringer, Bruce (2021). Naming Manurewa: Place and Street Names in Manurewa, Weymouth and Wiri. Manurewa Historical Society. p. 36\. ISBN 978-0-473-59363-6.
5. ^ "Walter Strevens 91 drive walking & cycling ramp link – feedback analysis report 2018" (PDF). Auckland Transport. March 2018. p. 9.
6. ^ Easther, Elisabeth (11 August 2012). "My Auckland: Conifer Grove". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
7. ^ Gibson, Anne (1 April 2015). "$175m South Auckland retirement village planned". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
8. ^ "January 1974". Manukau's Journey. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_4812. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
9. ^ Conifer Grove Archived 9 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine (from the Fraser Thomas website. Accessed 2008-03-16.)
10. ^ "3 February 1981". Manukau's Journey. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_5339. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
11. ^ "9 March 1985". Manukau's Journey. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_5625. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
12. ^ "3 December 2018". Manukau's Journey. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_8016. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
13. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Conifer Grove West (161800) and Conifer Grove East (161900).
14. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Conifer Grove (52160). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
15. ^ "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.
16. ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Conifer Grove West. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
17. ^ "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer. Conifer Grove East. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
18. ^ Janssen, Peter (January 2021), Greater Auckland Walks, New Holland Publishers, p. 176, OL 34023249W, Wikidata Q118136068
19. ^ "18 June 1989". Manukau's Journey. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. MJ_5860. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
20. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
21. ^ Education Counts: Conifer Grove School
22. ^ 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.

## External links

[edit]

* Conifer Grove School Website
* Photographs of Conifer Grove held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.

* v
* t
* e

Papakura Local Board Area, Auckland, New Zealand

Populated places|

* Alfriston
* Conifer Grove
* Drury
* Hingaia
* Keri Hill
* Ōpaheke
* Pahurehure
* Papakura
* Rosehill
* Red Hill
* Takanini

Geographic features|

* Manukau Harbour
* Kōpuahingahinga Island
* Pahurehure Inlet
* Pararēkau Island
* Papakura Stream
* Pukekiwiriki (Red Hill)

Facilities and attractions|

* Auckland Southern Motorway
* Southern Path
* Papakura Military Camp
* Papakura Museum
* Sir Edmund Hillary Library
* Southern Line
* Takaanini
* Tironui (defunct)
* Papakura
* Opaheke (defunct)
* Drury (defunct / under construction)
* Takanini Gurdwara

Government|

* Auckland Council
* Papakura Local Board
* Manurewa-Papakura ward
* Mayor of Papakura
* Papakura City (defunct)
* Papakura District (defunct)
* Papakura District Council (defunct)

Organisations|

* Kelvin Road School
* Papakura City FC
* Papakura High School
* Papakura Normal School
* Papakura RFC
* Papakura Sea Eagles
* Rosehill College
* Rosehill Intermediate

*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate
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*[t]: Discuss this template
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