Conifer Grove is an upper-middle class 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
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.[citation needed] The suburb is known for its tree-lined streets,[5] bay views, and until 2018 its border with the Manukau Golf Course.[6]
History
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".[7] 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.[8]
In 1981, Conifer Grove School was opened,[9] followed by the Conifer Grove shopping centre in 1985.[10]
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.[11]
Demographics
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.
Conifer Grove West had a population of 4,710 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 93 people (2.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 138 people (3.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,551 households, comprising 2,310 males and 2,400 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female, with 960 people (20.4%) aged under 15 years, 942 (20.0%) aged 15 to 29, 2,160 (45.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 651 (13.8%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 63.4% European/Pākehā, 20.3% Māori, 13.3% Pacific peoples, 17.6% Asian, and 2.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 26.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 42.3% had no religion, 38.2% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 3.2% were Hindu, 1.4% were Muslim, 1.2% were Buddhist and 6.1% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 678 (18.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 675 (18.0%) people had no formal qualifications. 744 people (19.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,019 (53.8%) people were employed full-time, 456 (12.2%) were part-time, and 162 (4.3%) were unemployed.[12]
The older Conifer Grove precinct has a small shopping centre, however in the newly established Waiata Shores centre, it includes a Countdownsupermarket 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.[15]
St. Aidan's Presbyterian Church was the first church constructed in the suburb in 1989.[16]
Education
Conifer Grove School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of 519 as of August 2024.[17][18] It is zoned primarily for Rosehill College.
Local government
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.[19] 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.
^ abcdeRinger, Bruce (2021). Naming Manurewa: Place and Street Names in Manurewa, Weymouth and Wiri. Manurewa Historical Society. p. 36. ISBN978-0-473-59363-6.
