Papakura

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Papakura
Urban Areas	Papakura	population 28010
	Takanini	population 10870
	Drury	population 3360
District	Name	Papakura
	Population	44,600
	Extent	Waiere to Bombay Hills Whangapouri Ck. to Clevedon
Population figures from 2006 census are provisional

Papakura is located between the Manukau Harbour and the Franklin District, 32km south of the CBD of Auckland city. Prior to the 1989 reorganisation of local government, Papakura had enjoyed city status for a decade.

Originally a country town astride the Great South Road, and now overtaken by Auckland's urban sprawl, Papakura is where town meets country. It is flanked by the southern reaches of the Manukau Harbour to the west, and farmland to the east. Takanini is the district's vibrant industrial zone. The town centre is a typical retail hub, but rural tranquillity is nearby at the outskirts of town. The nearby Hunua Ranges have a waterfall and forested walking tracks, where wild deer occasionally roam. Papakura has no major river, but water is supplied from reservoirs in the Hunua Ranges' miniature rainforest.

Residents enjoy convenient access to beaches at Maraetai, Orere Point, and Kawakawa Bay on the Hauraki Gulf, and Clarks Beach on the Manukau Harbour.

The indigeneous residents are Māori, who built a Pa named "Puke Kiwiriki", at the top of Red Hill. The site has a panoramic view of the approaches to Papakura. The town's name originates from Māori words papa-kura meaning "red earth", reflecting the rich, fertile soil upon which the community was founded.

Papakura has two high schools, Rosehill College and Papakura High School, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a high quality athletics track, and rail transport to Auckland City. Papakura is also home to a New Zealand Army base where the NZ SAS special forces are located.

One of the town's favourite sons is Sir Edmund Hillary; although born in Tuakau he was also a one-time beekeeper in Papakura.

Papakura District

• Ardmore Ward is northernmost, including Ardmore, Takanini, Keri Hill, and Alfriston
• Pahurehure Ward is north and west, including Pahurehure, Conifer Grove, Longford Park, and Hingaia
• Drury Ward is southernmost, and bounded by Franklin. It includes Drury, Opaheke, Rosehill, Park Estate, and Karaka
• Red Hill Ward lies mainly to the east, and includes Red Hill, and routes to Hunua or Clevedon.

External links

• [District council]
• [Wises Street Map]
• [Area Map]
• [2001 Census results for Papakura]
• [2006 Census results (provisional)] (Excel format)
• [Some histories of Papakura]
• [Breakwater against the Tide, by Elsdon Craig]

(link to library catalogue). This book is the definitive history of Papakura.

The Overlander passenger train stops: (North Island Main Trunk Railway) 

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