Local history of Avondale and Blockhouse Bay

Blockhouse Bay: a village within a town by Bruce McLachlan

Utilising oral histories the author focuses on the district from the 1910s to the late 1940s. As well as the very early history of the area, the book also describes the effects of the military blockhouse, kauri gum, canals, school, local industries, recreation and church.

Decently and in order: the government of the city of Auckland 1840-1971 : the centennial history of the Auckland City Council by Graham W. A. Bush

The Avondale area amalgamated with Auckland City on 1 September 1927, and thus there is much of relevance to both Avondale and Avondale South (more recently Blockhouse Bay) here.   Bush has written a superb history of local government activities in much of the Auckland isthmus, and in 1991 he followed this with Advance in order, the Auckland City Council from centenary to reorganisation 1971-1989.   Note that the Auckland Research Centre has the large index to the notes of both these works.

Fire on the clay: the pakeha comes to West Auckland by Dick Scott

Although written from a West Auckland perspective, much of Avondale's shopping and employment focus was and is to the West, particularly around the industrial, commercial and retail New Lynn area.

Heart of the Whau: the story of the centre of Avondale by Lisa J. Truttman

Pubished by the Avondale - Waterview Historical Society, this provides a very detailed chronological survey of the period 1841 to 2001.   It also has a good index.   The society also produces its own journal.

Some rough notes on events in the early history of Avondale

Five pages of recollections of early Avondale, no doubt by a long time resident.

The 1990 Blockhouse Bay settlers' handbook by Annette Brown

A brief but worthy survey of the history of Blockhouse Bay.

The Challenge of the Whau: a history of Avondale, 1750-1990 by Ronald E. Oates

Published by the Avondale History Group, this is an excellent local history. It includes economic and social developments in the area, as well as the expansion of local government. There are four sections: 1750-1849, 1850-1899, 1900-1959 and 1960- 990, with a range of aspects covered in each.

The Auckland star

There is also a supplement to the Auckland Star of 15 August 1965 entitled From fields to factories. This describes both the former market gardens on the Rosebank peninsula and the development of factories in the early 1960s.

The Auckland City Council Archives has records of the Avondale Road Board and Council 1891-1927.

Why "Blockhouse" Bay?: the story that gave the Bay its name

Compiled by Keith Rusden for the Blockhouse Bay Historical Society.