Ellerslie, New Zealand

The suburb was named by early local politician and entrepreneur Robert Graham, after his father's home in Elderslie (sic) in Renfrewshire, Scotland. Graham arrived in Auckland in October 1842 as an assisted immigrant from Scotland.[3]

In 1848 Graham bought two blocks of land where, after his marriage to Sophia Swann in 1852, he built the ‘Ellerslie House’ as a family homestead.[4] Adjacent to this home was a track along which Mrs Graham was in the habit of riding her horse every morning, now a street called Ladies Mile. Many of the local streets bear names of Graham family members.[5]

In 1873 the railway from Auckland was extended to reach Ellerslie. It is likely that Graham developed part of his property as the 'Ellerslie Zoological Gardens' because of this development. The gardens included flower beds, fountains, a bandstand, dance pavilion and a zoo. This made Ellerslie a popular leisure centre for Aucklanders.[3] In 1886 much of the Graham farm was subdivided for housing. Horse races were already being held in Ellerslie since 1857, but in 1886 the Racing Club acquired a permanent site from the Graham family, including the Zoological Gardens.[3] The racecourse had its own railway station for race days, and was a prominent feature of the Ellerslie area up until its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s.[5]

Next to Ellerslie Train Station a small township developed, servicing not only the local residents but also the race day crowds. As the 20th century progressed the surrounding rural land disappeared and Ellerslie became absorbed into suburban Auckland. The building of the Southern Motorway was to both strengthen the strategic location already created by the railway, as well as weaken the local cohesion of the area because of the physical divide the motorway created.[5]

The original local authority was Ellerslie Town District, established in 1908. The Borough of Ellerslie was formally declared on 1 April 1938. In 1989 Ellerslie was amalgamated into Auckland City Council.[4] The area has seen strong population growth in the recent past, growing 32% in the inner Ellerslie area between 1991 and 2001.[5]

Ellerslie is now a desirable suburb with convenient access to the city centre for commuting (via rail and bus links) and ready access to the nearby Southern Motorway for road users. The town centre is pleasant with good services, while retaining a sense of community. Housing in the area is well planned and close to a number of attractive parks, such as Michaels Avenue Reserve and Waiatarua Reserve.

Māori gave the name ‘Waiatarua’ to the site which later became the Ellerslie Racecourse. Translated as "two songs" the name refers to a waiata or song that emanated from caves.[3] It was believed that this ‘singing’ was created by water and air blowing from a larger cave into a smaller passage, making a vibrating sound. In the 1960s a new grand stand was constructed at the racecourse and the caves were filled with concrete to create a seal. This was not wholly successful, and it is said that the singing could still be heard coming from the caves.

Ellerslie town centre

The Ellerslie Town Centre is on Main Highway near where it intersects with the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway. The construction in the 1960s of the Southern Motorway cut Ellerslie off nearby Greenlane, resulting in a downturn in trade and many empty shops. However, in the 2000s, Ellerslie recovered with a strong upturn in employment in the nearby business parks on the southern side of the motorway (connected to the area with a pedestrian overbridge). The overbridge was the location of the opening scene of the New Zealand film Once Were Warriors (film).[6] In 2006, the overbridge was transformed with a ‘Bridge of Memories’ mosaic storyboard portraying different landmark buildings, houses (past and present), and images from the local schools.[7] Thanks to the long-term strategy of the local business association, it is now increasingly oriented towards lunchtime shoppers and again has many prosperous smaller businesses.[6]

At 9.00 am on 12 June 2004 a meteorite crashed through the roof of the home of the Archer family in Ellerslie.[8] The meteorite landed into the living room of the house, bouncing off the couch and hitting the ceiling. The home owners heard an explosion and saw dust everywhere, but nobody was hurt. This meteorite is officially named the Auckland Meteorite, despite tradition demanding that a meteorite is named after the nearest post office. However, an Ellerslie Meteorite had already fallen in Australia.[9] The rock weighs 1.3 kg and is estimated to be around 4,600 million years old.[10] It is the ninth meteorite found in New Zealand and the first to hit a home.[11] According to Auckland University experts, a meteorite that crashes through a roof is a very rare event.[10] This meteorite received world-wide attention and an American collector offered the Archer family $50,000 for the space rock. The Archers declined this offer, favouring the public display of the rock in New Zealand, so that anyone interested could view it.[9] The meteorite has been since on display in the Auckland Museum, where it can be seen in the Origins Gallery.[9]

The Ellerslie International Flower Show was first held in Ellerslie in 1994 at the Ellerslie Racecourse. This is New Zealand’s annual garden show. After 3 years in Ellerslie, it moved to the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa, Auckland.[12] In 2008 the Flower Show moved again, this time to Hagley Park in Christchurch.[13]

The residential area of Ellerslie covers 3.07 km² (1.19 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 9,270 as of June 2022,[2] with a population density of 3,020 people per km².

The residential area had a population of 9,039 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 453 people (5.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,101 people (13.9%) since the 2006 census. There were 3,123 households, comprising 4,395 males and 4,647 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female, with 1,671 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 1,890 (20.9%) aged 15 to 29, 4,488 (49.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 990 (11.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 64.9% European/Pākehā, 7.0% Māori, 5.9% Pacific peoples, 28.8% Asian, and 3.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 39.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.9% had no religion, 36.7% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 3.8% were Hindu, 1.5% were Muslim, 2.7% were Buddhist and 3.5% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 3,141 (42.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 522 (7.1%) people had no formal qualifications. 2,184 people (29.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 4,491 (61.0%) people were employed full-time, 912 (12.4%) were part-time, and 213 (2.9%) were unemployed.[18]

Ellerslie West covers 0.40 km² (0.15 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 160 as of June 2022,[2] with a population density of 400 people per km².

Ellerslie West had a population of 147 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 3 people (2.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 48 people (48.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 51 households, comprising 72 males and 75 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 32.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 24 people (16.3%) aged under 15 years, 36 (24.5%) aged 15 to 29, 78 (53.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 9 (6.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 59.2% European/Pākehā, 4.1% Māori, 4.1% Pacific peoples, 30.6% Asian, and 6.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 49.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 49.0% had no religion, 34.7% were Christian, 2.0% were Hindu, 2.0% were Muslim, 6.1% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (43.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 9 (7.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $52,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 39 people (31.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 93 (75.6%) people were employed full-time, 15 (12.2%) were part-time, and 3 (2.4%) were unemployed.[19]

• Horace James White, 1938–1956
• Lloyd Elsmore, 1956–1962
• Alan Trevor Bell, 1962–1974
• William Edgar Brewster, 1974–1980
• William "Bill" James Cann, 1980–1981
• Leon Clarence Leicester, 1981–1989

Spectators at Ellerslie Racecourse, 1908

Ellerslie Racecourse, 1908

The Ellerslie area has been known as the centre for horseracing since New Zealand’s first race meeting was organised there in 1842.[20] The property was first used as farmland by Robert Graham, who was a supporter of racing. He later developed both the Alexandra Park Racecourse and the Ellerslie Racecourse.[20] In 1873, Graham sold both racecourses to the Auckland Racing Club.[21] The Auckland Jockey Club bought around 36 hectares (90 acres) in 1872.[22] Today, the club owns around 72 hectares (180 acres) and race meetings are regularly held at the race course, including the New Zealand Derby and the Auckland Cup, the main races at the summer meeting.[22] The racecourse is also home to a golf driving range and a nine-hole pitch and putt. In recent years, associated activities like fashion shows and socialising have become as important as watching the races.[21]

• Christ Church – This wooden gothic Anglican church was opened in 1883 in Ladies Mile. Its most significant feature is a full set of stained glass windows gifted to the congregation by the English firm of Clayton and Bell.
• Former Ellerslie Post Office – The post office was designed in 1909 by John Campbell. He modelled the building on the post offices in Mount Eden and Kingsland. The post office operated here until the privatisation of New Zealand Post in the late 1980s.[4]
• Former Southern Cross Picture Theatre – This cinema was opened in 1925 and represented an exciting change in socialising for the people of Ellerslie. In the 1970s it was converted into squash courts.[4]
• Former Municipal Offices – The Ellerslie Town District purchased the land on the corner of Ramsgate St and Main Highway in 1926 for the construction of its municipal buildings. The Ellerslie Borough Council was based in these offices until it merged with Auckland City in 1989.[4]
• Arborfield – This two-story wooden Italianate house on the corner of Ramsgate st. and Main Highway was the residence of Lieut. Col Charles Dawson (18th Royal Irish Regiment), Chairman of the Mount Wellington Road Board and Master of the Pakuranga Hunt.[4]
• Ellerslie War Memorial Hall Community Centre – This building was constructed in 1989 after fundraising by local groups and is used as a centre for performing arts. The Ellerslie servicemen who were killed or wounded in World War I and World War II are recognised in the Roll of Honour in the foyer of the War Memorial Hall.[4]
• Ellerslie supermarket

The Ellerslie Domain – The Ellerslie Domain is centrally located in Ellerslie and has sport facilities for tennis and rugby. Several sporting associations use the domain for their training, including the Ellerslie Eagles who compete in the Auckland Rugby League.

Michaels Avenue Reserve – The Michaels Avenue Reserve is a huge open green space used for sports and recreation activities. The reserve has an interesting array of plants and wildlife and a wetland is present in its north corner. The reserve has a playground for children and grounds for cricket and soccer.[23] The Ellerslie Recreation Centre is located within the reserve, with a gymnasium which hosts various indoor sports.[24]

Celtic Crescent Reserve – This reserve focuses on children, who can play on the adventure playground. The wider community can enjoy both passive and active recreation.[23]