About Manukau's Journey

This page provides introductory information about the content of Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline.

Aspects covered include:

Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline is a selection of significant and representative events from the history of Manukau City and adjoining areas.

Items are arranged chronologically and are searchable. Some dates are approximate.
Brief descriptions only of events can be given, but in most cases lists of sources and/or copies of contemporary maps, documents and photographs are attached.
In all cases further information is available at the Manukau Central Research Library.
Suggestions for corrections, amendments and additional entries are welcome. Please contact Bruce Ringer.

Geographical coverage

Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline focuses on the areas covered by present-day Manukau City, but includes selected events relating to adjoining areas.
Some events of national significance are also mentioned in a local or regional context.
It is intended to expand coverage of the wider Counties-Manukau region in future (Franklin, Papakura, Manukau).

In early entries 'Tamaki' is used to refer to the central Auckland isthmus, while 'Manukau' is used to refer to the areas to the south and east of the isthmus.
In later entries, the term 'South Auckland' is used in its traditional sense to refer to the area between the Otahuhu portage and the Waikato River, that is (old boundaries) Otahuhu, Howick, Papatoetoe, Manukau, Manurewa, Papakura and Franklin.
More recently, the term Counties-Manukau is used to refer to the area covered by Manukau City, Papakura District and Franklin District.
A number of local place names have changed or fallen into disuse over the years. In this timeline the place name contemporary to the event is generally used, with today's equivalent noted in brackets (minor spelling changes excepted). Alternative Māori and English names are given in some instances.

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Locations mentioned in the text.

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. [find out more...]

Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline, first edition compiled by Bruce Ringer with the assistance of Christopher Paxton for Manukau Libraries, 2003; second edition compiled by Bruce Ringer, 2005; third edition compiled by Bruce Ringer, 2007. Design by Sally Pewhairangi.
The assistance of Owen Aiken, Henriette Alford, Jenny Clark, Muriel Du Feu, Nathew Green, Alan La Roche, Len Lane, Wilma Madgwick, Ross Murray, Fraser Murray, Val Payne, Elaine Read, Mim Ringer, Narelle Scollay, Jim Sinclair, David Verran, David Voisey, Lloyd Walker, Gwen Wichman and Maurice Wilson is gratefully acknowledged.
The text of the Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline is copyright © to Manukau Libraries, however, may be used freely for purposes of private study or research. [find out more...]
Other material is copyright to the originator, unless otherwise indicated, and is here reproduced with permission. The text relating to Waiuku and adjoining areas is used by permission of Bruce Ringer.
Opinions expressed in Manukau's journey do not necessarily reflect the official views of Manukau City Council or Manukau Libraries. Manukau City Council and Manukau Libraries do not guarantee or accept any responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline.

Most information has been taken from local histories, newspapers, periodical articles, Government publications and theses relating to the Manukau area. In some cases oral histories and manuscript and archival sources have also been used.
Brief descriptions only of events have been given. It is not the function of the timeline to explore historical controversies or enter into historical debate but, where found, factual errors in the published record have been corrected (in some cases sources have been listed to facilitate further research). [find out more...]
Information relating to the early years of Māori settlement is based upon a selection of recorded traditions. It is not possible in a chronological format to do justice to all the versions available.
Click here for more information on the bibliographic style and abbreviations used in Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline.

Manukau's journey - a Manukau timeline is updated on a regular basis.