Massey Ward Parks and Open Space Information
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Massey Brochure
Click for more info |
Paremuka Lakeside |
History
Location map &
brochure
Popular
parks
Facilities key
Playgrounds
Walkways
Parks
homepage
History
 With West Auckland's early growth centred around
Henderson much of Massey's early settlement was dominated by
logging and farming. In the 1850's
William Swanson
began logging in the Swanson area with farmers coming into
the picture in Hobsonville. With the logging came the gum
diggers and as the trees were felled men scoured the land
for Kauri gum before it began to be farmed. Gum digging was
profitable for forty years in the region before advances in
technology intervened. The most noteworthy gum-digger camp,
run by Don Buck was located near the intersection of Don
Buck and Swanson roads.
Brick and ceramics manufacturing began in Hobsonville in
the 1860's followed by the expansion into Whenuapai and
Henderson when technology and rail networks advanced. Most
of the brickyards had closed or moved by the early 1900's.
Farming became Massey's primary business as other
industries wavered. These farms began to evolve and by the
turn of the century were dominated by market gardens and
vineyards, many of which have become part of the area's
unique identity.
Though roads and drainage were well developed during the
first half of the twentieth century it was not until the
construction of the North Western motorway in the 1950's
when population growth in Massey and surrounding areas
became sustained. By the 1970's Massey's population had
reached 1200 and continued to grow, reaching 6500 by 1981.
Neighbouring areas, Ranui and West Harbour soon became the
Waitakere's fastest growing suburbs.
Early European heritage sites still linger on in Massey
ward, many of them homes which remain in private hands. The
Clark Homestead, built circa 1902 by a pioneering
brick-maker company was built as an experiment by the
potteries and is now the home of the Aviation Medical unit.
Hobsonville Church was built in 1875 making it one of the
earliest buildings in the ward.
The neighbouring Hobsonville
cemetery contains the graves of many of the wards earliest
settler families, the oldest headstone dating back to 1879.
The final notable piece of heritage is the post office
building located on the corner of Don Buck and Triangle
Roads. Built in 1930 this small building is now one of
Massey's oldest.
Location Map and Brochure
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| Click to view PDF version
of brochure &
map |
Download the Massey Ward Parks and Open Space Information
brochure for a map and information on popular
parks, playgrounds and walkways in this area.
Brochures are available from all libraries
and Council reception
or contact us
for a copy.
Note: You will need to have 
Adobe Acrobat Reader
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Massey Ward - Parks and Open Spaces Information Brochure
and Map (Size 1365K)
Other brochures in this series:
Facilities Key
Kayaking
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Swimming
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 Wedding
Venue
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 Picnic
Table
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Running
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Tennis
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 Playground
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Toilets
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Boating
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History
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Sports
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Bird Watching
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Barbeque
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 Basketball
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Soccer
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Walking
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 Skateboarding
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Walkway
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Popular parks
Christmas Beach |
Marina View Reserve |
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Hidden on the sheltered side of
the quiet Herald Island, Christmas Beach is a coastal
reserve perfect for a quiet day in the sun. Take a dip or
kayak in the cool harbour waters, relax on the beach or
picnic on the grass areas and utilise the free BBQ.
Kids can spend the afternoon playing on the playground
that inspires imaginations; become a modern day pirate in
search of treasures and far away lands on the large wooden
ship.
How to get there: From
Hobsonville Road, follow Brigham Creek Road, turn right into
Kauri Road, then turn right onto Kingsway Road and over the
causeway. Once on Herald Island turn left and follow The
Terrace to Christmas Beach.
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Surrounded by lush trees and gardens, Marina View Reserve
offers kids the perfect place to unleash their energy. Stay
at the reserve or join the Waipareira walkway for a scenic
stroll.
Take the walkway heading north for a 10 minute walk
to the West Harbour marina and shops.
How to get there:
Marina View Road and Wisley Road via Hobsonville Road,
West Harbour.
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Luckens Reserve |
Moire Park |
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Surrounded by lush trees and gardens, Marina View Reserve offers kids the perfect place to unleash their energy. Stay at the reserve or join the Waipareira walkway for a scenic stroll.
Take the walkway heading north for a 10 minute walk to the West Harbour marina and shops.
How to get there:
Turn right into Luckens Road via Hobsonville or Moire Roads, continue on into Marina View Road and
find Luckens Reserve opposite the school.
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As one of Waitakere's biggest parks, Moire Park offers
something for everyone. With approximately half of this
reserve covered in dense bush, take a walk or jog through
the network of tracks and you will forget that this reserve
lies in an urban environment. The other half of this reserve
is sports fields busy with rugby in winter, athletics and
touch in summer and sports tournaments and cultural
festivals throughout the year.
The fields are available for hire by the public. A
playground and half court are also located near the sports
fields to keep all ages entertained. This reserve is a
favourite with local dog walkers.
How to get there:
Granville Drive via Moire or Royal Road, Massey. |
Massey
Leisure Centre and Library |
Rush
Creek Reserve |
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The Massey Leisure Centre and adjoining library is a
great example of Waitakere's Eco City philosophy,
incorporating innovative environmental features and visual
arts throughout the building and surrounding grass reserve.
The project won a premier award at the NZ Creative Places
Awards in 2002. Sit outside in the grass reserve that
surrounds the building and enjoy the water features and
stunning views out over the Waitemata Harbour.
How to get there:
Carpark is the first right off Westgate Drive via Don
Buck Road, Westgate.
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Rush Creek Reserve is hidden behind Westgate
Shopping Centre away from noisy roads and
traffic. Home to an abundance of foliage and
birdlife, this reserve offers a calming space to
wander, relax and take a break from shopping.
How to get there:
Westgate Drive or Rush Creek Drive via Don Buck Road,
Westgate. |
Royal
Reserve |
Triangle
Park |
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Royal Reserve offers large grass open space in the heart of an urban
environment with neighbourhood and city views.
Practice your ball skills, take the dog for a
walk or just picnic and enjoy a good book in the
sun. A walkway heading out from the northern
edge of the park joins with Rush Creek Reserve
and then onto Westgate Shopping Centre.
How to get there:
Beauchamp Drive, via Don Buck Road or Royal Road, Massey.
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Triangle Park lies in the heart of Massey and
is home to Waitakere's longest flying fox at 40
metres long! This reserve is a must visit, even
if only for a few goes on the flying fox. Other
facilities at the park
include an adventure playground, basketball half
court, a large flat grass area for sports and
plenty of places to sit down and relax.
How to get there:
Don Buck Road,
between Red Hills Road and Triangle Road round-abouts. |
Emerald Valley Park |
Urlich Esplanade Reserve |
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Emerald Valley Park is a quiet neighbourhood park with plenty of space to
spread out. A network of gentle footpaths allow
kids to whiz around on their bikes and offers a
solid surface for those crisp winter walks with
the family dog. Kids can run around on the
hillside playground, sliding down the slide to
the swings and seesaw below.
How to get there:
Garton Drive via Triangle Road, left into Broadfi eld
Street and right onto Killygordon Place, Massey.
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Urlich Esplanade in the Swanson/Ranui area is
the home of the Waimoko track which runs
parallel to the Swanson stream. The area is lush
with restored native vegetation. Trees such as
Matipo and Manuka draw native birds and shade
the freshwater insects, fish and eels inhabiting
the stream. Take lunch and picnic along the
stream banks or next to the playground. The
walkway extends from Swanson Road for
approximately 1km to Glen Road, coming out
opposite Te Rangi Hiroa Reserve.
How to get there:
Entry points at Swanson Road, Urlich Drive and Waitemata
Drive, Ranui. |
Starling Park |
Paremuka
Lakeside |
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Starling Park is a large fl at grass reserve
offering recreation for all ages. There is
plenty of open grass space to kick around a ball
or have a friendly competition with friends. The
fields are available for hire by the public. The
playground also has a basketball half court and
small skate park to keep children of all ages
entertained.
How to get there:
Access at Glen Road and Waitemata Drive, Ranui.
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Enjoy a walk in the sun and experience
ecology at work at Paremuka Lakeside. Restored
to its current state, the
ponds detain, purify,
store and cleanse the water flowing in from the
Paremuka Stream. The area also acts as an
attractant and sanctuary for birdlife and native
fish. Walk or ride a bike around the ponds, play
on the playground or launch toy boats from the
jetty, joining the ducks and pukekos on the
water. Find out more about Paremuka
Detention Ponds.
How to get there:
From Sturges Road, turn onto Harvest Drive then right
onto Hillwell Drive. There is also access at Charlene Close
via Metcalf and Monroe Roads, Henderson. |
Walkways
Manutewhau Walkway |
Waipareira Walkway |
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Starling Park is a large fl at grass reserve
offering recreation for all ages. There is
plenty of open grass space to kick around a ball
or have a friendly competition with friends. The
fields are available for hire by the public. The
playground also has a basketball half court and
small skate park to keep children of all ages
entertained.
How to get there:
Access at: Oriel Ave, Moire road, Moire Park, Allington
Road and West Harbour Drive.
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A coastal walk meandering in and around many
little inlets, passing by wetlands and through
native bush. You'll hear the squawks of the
gulls and catch glimpses of native birds like
fantails and tui. A sealed path (suitable for
bikes, buggies, and wheelchairs) winds its way
from Luckens Reserve to West Harbour Marina. You
are by the sea much of the way so you can watch
the boats coming and going. The tide soaked
mangrove forest, provides a buffer between land
and sea and is a nursery for fish and a safe
haven for the many seabirds who nest there. Take
a break on one of the seats along the way and
watch the Waitemata Harbour's ever changing
moods.
How to get there:
Access at: Luckens Reserve, Marina View Drive, Marina
View Reserve, Wisely Road and Clearwater Cove. |
Playgrounds
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