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Papatoetoe is a suburb in the Auckland conurbation in northern New Zealand. One of the larger suburbs of the area commonly known as South Auckland, it is located to the northwest of central Manukau, and 18 kilometres southeast of Auckland city centre. Papatoetoe is a Māori name, which can be loosely translated as 'undulating area where the toetoe is the predominant feature', making it named after the 'Prince of Wales' feather (or toetoe / toi toi), which grew abundantly in the swampy parts of the region. Due to some confusion over the spelling, the area was known as Papatoitoi for many years.
[edit] History
People have lived in the Papatoetoe area for almost the entire time of human settlement in New Zealand. For both the original Māori and the first English settlers, the Papatoetoe area was handily located close to the narrowest points between Auckland's two great harbours, where waka could be ported over land. It was also rich in fertile soil.[1] Inlets run from Papatoetoe eastward to the Waitemata Harbour and westward to the Manukau Harbour. Thus for travellers past and present the routes south to the Waikato River and the north to the Auckland isthmus - Tamaki-makau-rau (Tamaki coveted by many) - have always been through Papatoetoe. The area's main population growth occurred after World War II, when many returning service men received housing in the area. By 1980, population growth had mostly ceased, with all available land taken up, though some infill housing growth occurred later. The population in 2006 had a median age of 31, with 34% being NZ Europeans, 33% Asians, 26% Pacific Islanders and 16% Maori.[1] [edit] Town centreManukau City Council has in early 2009 announced plans to spend millions revitalising the town's centre in the St. George Street area. New apartment buildings and nearby sports facilities (centred around a NZ$12 million multisports centre) are to encourage new shops to the area, which has deteriorated in the past, partly due to competition from shopping malls. [edit] Papatoetoe Historical SocietyA general local museum with an emphasis on showing how people lived in Papatoetoe. Material held includes - a collation of information on Local Body members, schools as they developed, the origin and meaning of street names, women of the district (book available), people of the surrounding farming district, newspaper cuttings and information on local organisations. Address:91 Cambridge Terrace, Papatoetoe Phone:09 266 0194 Attraction Types: Museum, Club & Society Restrictions:All Ages [edit] Research Tips
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