Papatoetoe


Papatoetoe is a suburb in Auckland, New Zealand. One of the larger suburbs of the area commonly known as South Auckland, it is located to the northwest of Manukau Central, and 18 kilometres southeast of Auckland CBD.
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's feather', which grew abundantly in the swampy parts of the region. Owing to some confusion over the spelling, the area was known as Papatoitoi for many years.

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 near the narrowest points between Auckland's two great harbours, where waka could be ported over land. It was also rich in fertile soil.
Inlets run from Papatoetoe eastward to the Waitematā 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 – 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.

Town centre

Manukau 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 are to encourage new shops to the area, which has deteriorated in the past, partly due to competition from shopping malls.
Hunter's Corner is a notorious area of prostitution.

Papatoetoe Historical Society

Papatoetoe Historical Society was established in 1988 with the aim to gather the historical artifacts and information from the Papatoetoe district. The collection 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, people of the surrounding farming district, newspaper cuttings and information on local organisations. The society has also developed an archive collection which includes photographs, books, booklets, plans and posters. These collections can be viewed at the Papatoetoe Historical Society museum which is housed in the old Papatoetoe Council works depot at 91 Cambridge Terrace, Papatoetoe.
In 2012 Papatoetoe celebrated 150 years of civic life. The Papatoetoe 150 was initiated by the Papatoetoe Historical society to increase awareness of history and promote community organisations.

Local government

Papatoetoe had a local government just like other suburbs of Auckland at that time. The local government was called Papatoetoe Borough Council, which started in 1946 and then it merged into Papatoetoe City Council in 1965. Papatoetoe City Council then merged into Manukau City Council in 1989, and eventually amalgamated into Auckland Council in November 2010.

Mayors during Papatoetoe Borough Council

Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club was established in 1946 and plays home matches at the Papatoetoe Sport Complex on Great South Road.

Rugby league

Papatoetoe is home to the Papatoetoe Panthers who are affiliated with the Auckland Rugby League.

Association football

Papatoetoe is home to Papatoetoe AFC who compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1A.
Papatoetoe is home to Papatoetoe United who play from the sports complex on Great South Road and are affiliated with Auckland Football Federation.

Cricket

Papatoetoe is home to the Papatoetoe Cricket Club who play in the Auckland Cricket Championship.

Tennis

Papatoetoe is home to two tennis clubs, Papatoetoe Tennis Club located at Papatoetoe Sports Complex and Sunnyside Tennis Club located in the Sunnyside Domain. Both clubs are affiliated to Auckland Tennis. Sunnyside Tennis Club was formed originally as Puhunui Tennis Club in 1955.

Education

Primary education

Papatoetoe has eight primary schools in its zone:
Papatoetoe has two intermediate schools:
Papatoetoe has two secondary schools:
In 1946 the Papatoetoe Borough Council was set up. It dissolved in 1965 and was succeeded by the Papatoetoe City Council. In 1989 it amalgamated with Manukau City Council.
The old Papatoetoe City Council building is at 91 Cambridge Terrace, Papatoetoe.

Notable people