Whitford, New Zealand

Whitford is located at the mouth of the Turanga Creek, an estuarial arm of the Hauraki Gulf. It is 20 kilometres south-east of the Auckland City Centre. ==Etymology==

Until 1882, the area was called Turanga by European settlers. There are multiple versions of where the name Whitford came from. It may be named after Richard Whitford, a man who operated a flax mill on the Waikopua near Housons Creek and was the postman. Others think Whitford referred to the White-ford over the Turanga Creek at the end of Sandstone Road, where the salt dries when the tide is out. Another possibility is that it is named after Whitefoord Park part of a vast property belonging to L.D. Nathan was initially listed as 'Whitefoord Park' in Wises Post Office Directory for 1875–1876, but by the time it went on sale for subdivision in 1903 it was known as Whitford Park. ==History==

The Pōhutukawa Coast was visited by the Tainui migratory waka around the year 1300. The waka landed at Tūranga Creek, tethered to a volcanic rock in the shape of a man. This gave rise to the name of the creek, which means "Anchorage". Tainui followers of Manawatere, who identified as Ngā Oho, decided to settle the area between the Pōhutukawa Coast and Tūwakamana (Cockle Bay). Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, the mana whenua of the area, descend from these early settlers. The Tūranga Creek area was known as a traditional food source for eels (tuna), lampreys (kanakana), flounder (pātiki) and kererū. There were multiple pā and kāinga sites in the area, including Moananui, Mangemangeroa and Awakarihi (above the Whitford quarry). When William Thomas Fairburn visited the area in 1833, it was mostly unoccupied due to the events of the Musket Wars, as most members of Ngāi Tai had fled to temporary refuge in the Waikato. In 1836, Fairburn purchased 40,000 acres between Ōtāhuhu and Umupuia (Duders Beach), including much of the catchment of the Wairoa River. After the Native Lands Act of 1865, the Native Land Court confiscated many Ngāi Tai lands. The remaining land was individuated, slowly sold on to European farmers. Farming community In 1869, L.D. and N.A. Nathan took over Alexander Kennedy's farm and developed an ostrich farm, which provided meat and feathers for the fashion trade from 1869 until the 1920s. Racehorses were trained in Whitford, and in the 1890s the Nathan family equestrian track held large-scale racing events, which people from Auckland attended by ferry. The farming community primarily grew oats, hay, wheat, potatoes for the Auckland market. The town's Granger's brickworks operated from the 1878 until 1920, and in 1900 the Nathan family established a butter factory. In 1910 the Nathan family subdivided their farm into 21 farms and farmlets, which grew the Whitford community. Whitford Hall was built in 1912, and from 1929 to 1934 during the Great Depression, the town hosted unemployment camps, where people could work at the Whitford Quarry. During World War II, home guard troops dug trenches in the Turanga Creek, and built tank traps around Whitford. In 1957, the Whitford Domain was opened as a sports ground and war memorial. By the early 2000s, Whitford had developed into a service centre for the surrounding rural area, and as a commuter suburb for city workers. Due to urban growth in surrounding areas like Beachlands and Ormiston, the Whitford village area has seen a substantial increase in traffic flow. ==Demographics==

Statistics New Zealand describes Whitford as a rural settlement, which covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Whitford is part of the larger Turanga statistical area. Whitford had a population of 147 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 69 people (88.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 60 people (69.0%) since the 2013 census. There were 75 males and 72 females in 48 dwellings. 2.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 52.3 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 15 people (10.2%) aged under 15 years, 27 (18.4%) aged 15 to 29, 81 (55.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 24 (16.3%) aged 65 or older. Turanga statistical area Turanga statistical area, which also includes Brookby, covers 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 46.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 483 people (14.5%) aged under 15 years, 657 (19.7%) aged 15 to 29, 1,602 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 594 (17.8%) aged 65 or older. ==Notable places==

in Whitford • Ayrlies Garden, one of New Zealand's best-known gardens, is located in Whitford. In the areas surrounding the gardens is a lifestyle estate subdivision expected to be completed in the year 2022. • Wades Walkway starts in Whitford, and follows the western banks of the Turanga Creek. • Granger chimney is a remnant of the Grangers Brick and Tile Works and is a land mark for the area. • William Granger Brick House is a bay villa built for William Granger. Following the closure of the brick works in Whitford the house served as a farm house. The house underwent restoration in the 1970s. ==Local government==

The first local government in the area was the Turanga Highway District, which was designated in 1865 and began operating in 1866. The district was absorbed into the Manukau County in 1917. Whitford became a part of Manukau City in 1965, and in November 2010, all cities and districts of the Auckland Region were amalgamated into a single body, governed by the Auckland Council. Whitford is part of the Franklin local board area, who elects members of the Franklin Local Board. Residents of Whitford also elect the Franklin ward councillor, who sits on the Auckland Council. ==References==