This page provides more information about the scope and selection of Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline.
Introduction
Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline is a selection of significant and representative events from the history of Manukau City and adjoining areas.
From November 2010, this is the area covered by the Howick, Manukau, Manurewa-Papakura and Franklin wards of the new Auckland City; along with the Awaroa ki Tuakau ward and other northern parts of the Waikato District, and the northeastern portion of Hauraki District.
The aim is to provide:
- a framework of the region's history
- outline narratives of selected aspects of that history
- a quick-reference guide to significant facts and dates
- lists of sources for further information
- ready access to selected documentary and pictorial historical materials.
Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline should also help identify gaps in the record of the region's past and encourage further research and historical debate. Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline is primarily aimed at students and local historians but will also be of interest to the general reader.
Scope
Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline includes but is not restricted to the following topics: Māori history; early navigators, explorers, missionaries and travellers; early European settlement and major land transactions; local government; important developments in transport, industry and commerce; the establishment of the principal churches, hospitals, schools and other public institutions; heritage landmarks; environmental issues; and representative political, cultural, social and sporting events.
Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline focuses on the areas covered by Otahuhu, Manukau, Papakura and Franklin, but includes selected events relating to adjoining areas.
Some events of national significance are included in their local or regional context.
Selection
The selection of events has been influenced by a number of factors. Local historians in the region have advised on the selection of ‘iconic' South Auckland events. Availability of information has been another major influence. Some periods, aspects of life, and localities within the region have been better documented than others. Māori history has sometimes been at best fragmentarily recorded. For certain periods, local newspapers are now the only readily accessible source of information (thus everyday life during the 1920s and 1930s in Pukekohe and Waiuku, which supported their own newspapers at the time, is better documented than in Howick, Manurewa and Papatoetoe, where local newspapers were not yet established). Similarly, the activities of some sports codes have been better recorded than others; the records of some religious denominations are better preserved than others; and while some clubs and societies have carefully preserved their records, others have disappeared without trace; and so on.
Some events have been included to allow for the presentation of interesting anecdotes, photographs, maps or documents; others to help build up topical narratives within the timeline's chronological format. A few events have been included simply because they have some personal resonance for the compiler, who grew up in Waiuku and went to school in Pukekohe.
Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline is intended primarily as a local or regional history rather than a genealogical tool. In general, the narrative includes individual names only in the case of well-known writers, artists, philanthropists, politicians, heroes, villains, sports people, business people, etc.; and family names only where the name has been given to a geographical feature or locality. Some family reunions are listed, however, where these have led to publications of general interest.
Future developments
Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline is a work-in-progress that will be refined, developed and expanded over the next few years.
Suggestions of events or topics for inclusion in Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline are welcome. Please contact Bruce Ringer.