Conifer Grove

Conifer Grove is located on a peninsula of land adjacent to the Pahurehure Inlet, bordered by the Great South Road to the east. The name was chosen to reflect the environmental focus of the area, as approximately 1/5th of the area was set aside as nature reserves when the suburb was being established. Most of the streets are cul-de-sacs. Due to the suburbs design pattern, there was only one way in and out of the more recent area of Conifer Grove until 2021, when Brylee Drive was linked to Gosper Road of the adjacent Waiata Shores development. The Walter Strevens Drive roundabout also has a security camera which records vehicle movement in and out of the area. The suburb is known for its tree-lined streets, bay views, and until 2018 its border with the Manukau Golf Course. ==History==

During much of the early 20th century, the area was the location of the Streven family farm. Fraser Thomas were commissioned to design the subdivision and to manage its construction. Fraser Thomas were awarded Certificates of Merit by both the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors. In 1981, Conifer Grove School was opened, followed by the Conifer Grove shopping centre in 1985. In 2018, the first houses of Fletcher Living's Waiata Shores housing development at the former site of the Manukau Golf Course were made available to purchase. ==Demographics==

Conifer Grove covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Conifer Grove had a population of 5,907 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,194 people (25.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,287 people (27.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,925 males, 2,970 females and 12 people of other genders in 1,947 dwellings. 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,176 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,104 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 2,847 (48.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 780 (13.2%) aged 65 or older. ==Facilities==

The older Conifer Grove precinct has a small shopping centre, however in the newly established Waiata Shores centre, it includes a Countdown supermarket and in the future will include more retail and office space. There are various parks/reserves such as Brylee Drive Reserve with two tennis courts and playground. This links to a board walk which goes around the waters/mangroves edge, which is enjoyed by many of the residents. This walk has been extended to connect the boardwalk through to Walter Strevens Drive reserve. St. Aidan's Presbyterian Church was the first church constructed in the suburb in 1989. ==Education==

Conifer Grove School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of as of It is zoned primarily for Rosehill College. ==Local government==

Conifer Grove was originally a part of the Manurewa Ward of Manukau City when the suburb was first established in the 1970s. Conifer Grove is a part of the Papakura local board area. The residents of Conifer Grove elect a local board, and two councillors from the Manurewa-Papakura ward to sit on the Auckland Council. ==References==