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Howick Welcome Guide Headlines
Welcome...
History of Howick, Pakuranga and surrounding areas
Historical Places of Interest
Dining, Entertainment & Community Notices
Howick Welcome Guide
Historical Places of Interest
Monday, 11 April 2005
STOCKADE HILL
, overlooking Howick has panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Women and children slept here at night for several weeks in 1863 when there was fear of attack during the Land Wars. Bavarian mercenaries stationed here in 1863 erected a Christmas tree, believed to be the first in New Zealand, and sang carols. Inside the Stockade earthworks, is Howick’s War Memorial.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH
is considered to be one of New Zealand’s outstanding early buildings. Designed by the Rev F Thatcher, it was pre-fabricated at St John’s College in Auckland and brought to Howick by sea (note the front of the building is chipped from the voyage).
Completed in November 1847, it was the first building to be erected in Howick, and is now the second oldest church in New Zealand. In his journal, Bishop Selwyn noted with satisfaction that the House of God was ready to receive the settlers upon their arrival.
This style of ecclesiastical architecture, with vertical boards, external cross beams and steep single gabled roof, has come to be associated with Bishop Selwyn. Originally built to a cruciform plan, the nave was enlarged in 1862. The Lych gate erected in 1930 is a memorial to those who served in the New Zealand Militias during the Land Wars of the 1860s. Many early settlers are buried in the churchyard. Note the graves of the Lush children – the offspring of Howick’s first resident vicar, Vicesimus Lush, and his wife Blanche. Three Lush children died in one week in a scarlet fever epidemic in 1854.
As part of the Howick 150 years celebrations, a pageant called Good News 150 was produced at All Saints by the combined churches of the district. One of the scenes, “harvest festival 1880” was set in the Selwyn church. A book written about the history of the church which also contains stories of events and people from Howick, is available at the church office.
SHAMROCK COTTAGE
in Selwyn Road near the beach, was Howick’s first inn, called “The Royal Hotel”. Built in 1848, it is thought to be the second oldest building in the village, having originally been built as a “wet canteen” (liquor store) for the fencible soldiers. The Royal Hotel was noted for its hospitality and fine wines and was popular with visitors from Auckland. The cottage was purchased in 1894 by Captain William C Daldy, who gave it its present name, calling it after his first command, the schooner “Shamrock”. This unique building is now used as a restaurant.
HOWICK BEACH
was the landing site for the first soldier-settlers. A short wharf was erected soon after their arrival by the 589th Regiment, for use at high tide only. A longer wharf was built in 1895, when sea transport was still preferable to the rough roads. It was demolished in 1936 and the remains of the piles can be seen at low tide.
THE GARDEN OF MEMORIES
in Uxbridge Road was land originally bequeathed to the council by the late Miss E M Nixon, and has since come to be used as a memorial to the Tainui Maori of the district and to the early European settlers. The museum and Maori whare (house) are maintained by the Ngawawatanga Maori Cultural Group and the Manukau City Council.
MUSICK POINT
beyond Bucklands Beach on the promontory at the end of Tamaki River was a Maori stronghold until 1821, when the Ngapuhi tribe from the North descended upon the district and decimated the local population. The radio station situated on the point is named after pioneer aviator, Captain Edwin C Musick. The point provides spectacular views of the Waitemata Harbour and inner Hauraki Gulf.
