Past, present and future are all represented within this diverse ward. From early Maori occupation and European settler roots to a new multicultural community, the greater Howick Ward has a great deal to offer visitors.
The old suburb of Howick, from which the new ward takes its name, is a truly historic precinct with much to see and do for visitors of all persuasions. What’s more, most of it is free!
Information
* Howick Information Service, in the heart of Howick Village has information on all the local attractions. Open weekdays 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-12noon.
Art Galleries
* Uxbridge – Howick’s Art & Culture Centre, Uxbridge Rd, Howick, for exhibitions, classes, cafe and art gallery.
* Howick Art Group – Green Gables Gallery, Cook St, Howick, (next to All Saints Church). Open Friday-Sunday, 10am-3pm.
* Monterey Art Gallery – Contemporary New Zealand art. 5 Cook St, Howick.
* A Piece of Work – 96 Picton St, Howick. Open Thursday-Tuesday, 9am-3pm.
* Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, Pakuranga – a nationally significant regional art gallery. 13 Reeves Rd, Pakuranga.
Attractions
* Safe and sandy beaches for swimming, sailing and water sports.
* All Saints Church (second oldest church in NZ and oldest building in the Manukau area). Cnr of Selwyn Rd and Cook St, Howick.
* Howick Historical Village – an extensive collection of 30 original buildings dating from the time of early Howick settlement by the Fencibles (Irish regiment). Admission charge.
* Musick Point, Bucklands Beach peninsula – Ngai Tai Pa at Te Waiarohia (Musick Point) or East Head as the first European settlers called it, was a Maori stronghold in the 1820s. Its European name is in honour of pioneer aviator, Captain Edwin C Musick. Extensive views of the Waitemata Harbour, Tamaki Strait, and Hauraki Gulf.
* Polish Heritage Trust Museum – Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm. Established by one of the original Polish refugees who arrived in NZ.
* ‘Classy Crafts’ Market – Inside All Saints Church Hall, 30 Cook St, Howick. Every first and third Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm.
* Howick Village Markets for fresh food, plants and original gifts. Every Saturday 8am-12.30pm. Picton St, Howick Village.
* Night Markets – stalls, ethnic food, entertainment. From 5.30pm until midnight: Pakuranga – every Saturday night, located in the covered carpark under The Warehouse, Reeves Rd; Botany – every Wednesday night, located under Hoyts, Botany Town Centre.
Exploring on foot
* An extensive network of walkways are ideal for nature lovers to explore the whole area and see native birds and flora (See routes marked on map).
* Barry Curtis Park – a 94 hectare park in Flat Bush, one of the biggest parks in New Zealand with walkways, playgrounds, skateparks and great venue for special events.
* Lloyd Elsmore Park and community swimming pool, Cascades Rd, Pakuranga (also access from Bells Rd). Principally a sporting venue and leisure park with skateboard bowl.
* Murphy’s Bush – explore one of the last and most extensive areas of lowland native Kahikatea forest remaining in the Auckland region. Tracks and picnic area.
Shopping
* Howick Village for an intimate, boutique shopping experience, great cafes and its own radio station 88.1FM.
* Botany Town Centre – one of the largest shopping complexes in NZ with library and amenties. Radio station 107.1FM.
* Pakuranga Plaza – a shopping mall with a wide variety of shops, food court and library.
* Highland Park (Pakuranga Rd), Meadowlands (cnr Chapel Rd and Meadowlands Dr), Botany Junction (cnr Ormiston Rd & Te Irirangi Dr) and Bishop’s Gate Business Centre (cnr Bishop Dunn Pl & Te Iririangi Dr) are smaller convenience shopping complexes.
Maori Culture
* Umupuia Marae – the ancestral home of the Ngai Tai people who are the Mana Whenua of the area. The marae falls outside the Howick Ward and is in the Pohutukawa Coast loop.
* Te Tahawai Marae. Edgewater College grounds, Edgewater Dr, Pakuranga. Larger Maori meeting house and marae.
* Garden of Memories, Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Maori whare set in the gardens bequeathed by Emilia Maud Nixon to commemorate Howick’s pioneer days.
Asian Culture
* Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, cnr Stancombe and Chapel Rds, Flat Bush. Guided tours held daily, except Mondays. Exhibition space and vegetarian cafe.
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