Massey, New Zealand

The area is within the traditional rohe of Te Kawerau ā Maki, and is the location of Pukewhakataratara, a mountain known as Redhill to European settlers. The literal translation of the name is "hill that poses a challenge or obstacle". In pre-European times, the bush-covered hill was a natural obstacle for people attempting to access the Waitākere Ranges from the Waitematā Harbour. The area was originally named Lawsonville, and was the site of the Birdwood Estate. The area was renamed Massey circa 1915, in honour of Prime Minister William Massey. The area experienced growth in the 1960s, after the Poultrymen's Association opened a branch in Massey in June 1960. Most of Massey was developed during the 1970s and 1980s. ==Demographics==

Massey covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Massey had a population of 19,851 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 2,028 people (11.4%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 3,720 people (23.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 10,002 males, 9,771 females and 75 people of other genders in 5,919 dwellings. 3.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. There were 4,335 people (21.8%) aged under 15 years, 4,560 (23.0%) aged 15 to 29, 9,270 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,695 (8.5%) aged 65 or older. ==Education==

Massey is home to one secondary school, Massey High School, where the principal is former Tall Blacks captain Glen Denham as well as several primary schools, including Lincoln Heights School, Royal Road Primary School, Massey Primary School and Don Buck Primary School. Massey Primary School was the first school in the district, opening in 1925. Massey is not home to Massey University, which is based in Palmerston North with its Auckland campus at Albany. ==Governance==

In New Zealand's national Parliament, Massey is represented by Member for Upper Harbour, National MP Paula Bennett who won the electorate in 2014 and 2017. As of the 2017 election no other MP who contested the Upper Harbour electorate has been represented in parliament as a list MP. Prior to changes in electorate boundaries, Massey fell within the Te Atatū electorate and was represented in 2011 by Member for Te Atatū, Labour MP Phil Twyford. In terms of regional governance, Massey falls within the Waitākere ward and subsequently under the Henderson-Massey Local Board area of the Auckland City council. The Henderson-Massey local board area covers the suburbs of West Harbour, Massey, Ranui, Te Atatū Peninsula, Te Atatū South, Lincoln, Henderson, Western Heights, Glendene, and Sunnyvale and contained a population of 107,685 in the 2013 census. Previously Massey fell under the Massey Ward which contained the suburbs of Whenuapai, Hobsonville, Herald Island, West Harbour, Massey, Ranui, and Henderson North. ==Sport==

The local rugby club is a member of the North Harbour Rugby Union and won the championship 6 times (1993, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2015 and 2016). Former All Black Jonah Lomu signed to play for Massey in 2005, but due to an injury was unable to play for them that season. He did however eventually make his debut for the club in 2006. ==Notable people==

Massey is home to rugby players George Pisi and Tusi Pisi (North Harbour, Samoa and New Zealand 7's) as well as the musicians Blindspott. ==Parks==

Moire Park is a park that is bounded on the east by Lawsons Creek, the Manutewhau Stream to the north, and its namesake Moire Road to the west. It is one of the main sporting areas for the Waitakere City area with club facilities and several fields. Part of the park is covered in bush and this area is a protected natural area. The name Moire comes from the Colwill family, who settled the nearby area in 1907. ==References==