Papakura is the name of a city and a district to the south of Auckland in New Zealand's North Island.

Papakura City

Papakura city is located between the Manukau Harbour and the Franklin District in the Auckland region of New Zealand, just south of Manurewa.

Situated on the southern edge of 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. The town has a vibrant industrial zone in Takanini, adequate shopping in the town centre, and rural tranquillity on 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 town's name originates from Maori words papa-kura meaning "red earth", reflecting the rich, fertile soil upon which the community was founded. The indigeneous residents are Maori, who built a Pa named "Puke Kiwiriki", at the top of Red Hill. The site has a panoramic view of the approaches to Papakura.

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.

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

Papakura District

The Papakura District is a municipality within greater Auckland, one of the five councils administering the region. Papakura City is the seat of the Papakura District Council, serving a population of 40,665 as of the 2001 census. Papakura District is divided into four wards; Ardmore, Drury, Red Hill, and Pahurehure.

• Ardmore Ward is northernmost, including Ardmore, Takanini, Keri Hill, and Alfriston
• Pahurehure Ward is north & west, including Pahurehure, Conifer Grove, Wattle Downs, 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

• The district council's website (http://www.pdc.govt.nz/)
• Wises Street Map (http://www.wises.co.nz/map/default.asp?street=EAST+Street&suburb=PAPAKURA&town=Auckland&sttype=&id=48502%7c2&svctype=1&mapwhich=0&mapsize=2&width=512&height=512&businesses=1&brad=25&color=-1&filled=0&routemethod=0&s_id=&radius=&a=0&e=2683730&n=6458210&zoom=3&move=true&zoomin=true)
• Area Map (http://www.manukau-libraries.govt.nz/whatwehave/Journey/photos/map.htm)
• Some histories of Papakura (http://www.aucklandlibrary.co.nz/general.aspx?ct=801#papakura)
• Breakwater against the Tide, by Elsdon Craig (http://catalogue.aucklandcitylibraries.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=S063J3891273I.336&menu=search&aspect=basic&npp=10&ipp=20&profile=dial&ri=&term=breakwater+against+the+tide&index=TW&aspect=basic#focus)

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

• Rosehill College (http://intranet.rosehill-college.co.nz/main.asp)
• Papakura High School (http://www.papakurahigh.school.nz/index.html)