Greenlane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greenlane
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Suburb
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The Logan Campbell statue at the western end of the suburb
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Auckland |
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| Area | |
| • Land | 200 ha (500 acre) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 8,270 |
| Train station(s) | Greenlane Railway Station |
| Hospitals(s) | Greenlane Clinical Centre |
  Greenlane  |
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Greenlane is a busy suburb in Auckland, New Zealand. It's located right in the middle of the city's narrowest part, called the central isthmus. Greenlane is surrounded by other suburbs like Epsom, Newmarket, Remuera, and One Tree Hill.
The main shopping area in Greenlane is where Great South Road and Green Lane West meet. This area is home to many important places. On one side, you'll find the Alexandra Park Raceway, the Auckland Showgrounds, and the Campbell Park Tennis Club. On the other side, there's the Greenlane Clinical Centre (a big hospital), Cornwall Park, Cornwall Cricket Club, and Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill with its park.
Greenlane is well-known in Auckland for Cornwall Park, the Greenlane Clinical Centre, the Auckland Showgrounds, many car dealerships, and the Alexandra Park racecourse. It's important to remember that the suburb's name is one word (Greenlane), but the road is two words (Green Lane).
Contents
A Look Back: Greenlane's History
From the 1840s to the 1890s, Greenlane was famous for its rich farmland. Farmers grew crops and raised dairy cows here. At first, there were large country houses and farms. But after the 1890s, more houses started to be built, spreading south from Newmarket.
How Cornwall Park Began
In 1901, a kind doctor named John Logan Campbell gave part of his farm to the city. This land became a public park. It was named Cornwall Park because the Duke of Cornwall visited Auckland that same year. Since the 1990s, many new townhouses have been built in Greenlane, mixing with the older villas and bungalows.
Sports and Shows at Alexandra Park
The wide, flat fields where Green Lane and Manukau Roads meet were used for sports as early as the 1850s. But the Alexandra Park Raceway and Auckland Showgrounds were officially created around 1900. Alexandra Park was named after the Duchess of Cornwall, who later became Queen Alexandra. It's famous for horse trotting races. The showgrounds have hosted many events, like trade shows and farm shows. The big Auckland Royal Easter Show happens here every year. Since 2022, the Lantern Festival also takes place at the showgrounds.
The Old Tram Depot
Next to Alexandra Park, there used to be a tram depot for the Auckland Electric Tram Company. It opened in 1902 and had storage sheds and offices. This location was chosen because it was halfway between Auckland and Onehunga. The tram system was removed in 1956, but the sheds stayed until the late 1970s. Today, the old office building is a restaurant.
Greenlane Shops Over Time
The Greenlane shops grew along with the tram line in the early 1900s. They served the people living nearby and visitors to the racecourse, showgrounds, hospital, and parks. The types of businesses have changed over the years. In the past, horse racing and pharmacies were common. Today, it's a hub for car businesses. There are also many restaurants. The beautiful Lido Cinema, built in the 1920s, is still open. It's one of the few old standalone cinemas left in Auckland. The train station near the motorway makes it easy to travel to the city centre or south.
Who Lives in Greenlane?
Greenlane covers about 2.00 square kilometres. As of 2023, it has an estimated population of about 8,000 people. This means there are about 4,000 people living in each square kilometre.
At the 2018 New Zealand census, Greenlane had 8,010 residents. This was an increase of 468 people since 2013. There were 2,577 homes, with slightly more females than males. About 17% of the people were under 15 years old.
Greenlane is a diverse place. About 53.9% of residents identified as European/Pākehā, 5.7% as Māori, 6.1% as Pacific peoples, and 40.1% as Asian. Many people in Greenlane were born overseas, about 45.2%, which is higher than the national average.
Hospitals in Greenlane
The Greenlane Clinical Centre is a major hospital in Auckland. It's a group of several buildings that used to be called Green Lane Hospital. This hospital was famous for heart and chest surgery, both in New Zealand and internationally. The oldest building on the site dates back to 1890. It was a gift from Edward Costley, a businessman who gave money for many good causes.
The National Women's Hospital building was built in 1964. It was considered a very modern building for its time.
Fun at Cornwall Park
During World War II, many temporary buildings were put up in the eastern part of Cornwall Park. These were for American soldiers who were sick or wounded during battles like Guadalcanal. Later, in the 1950s and 60s, Cornwall Hospital was used for older patients and as a maternity hospital. The buildings were slowly removed, and by the mid-1970s, only a few remained. Today, only a US flag pole and a plaque remind us of its wartime use.
Now, Cornwall Park is a lively place for people to meet, take photos, and relax. Inside the park, you can find a bistro, a cafe, a coffee truck, and a creamery selling ice creams and waffles. The Cornwall Park Trust, which looks after this private park, often puts on free music concerts and nature workshops for everyone. You can see the famous obelisk on top of Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill day and night, thanks to the red light on its tip.
Schools in Greenlane
Greenlane has good schools for young people.
- Cornwall Park District School is a primary school for students in years 1-6.
- Remuera Intermediate is also in the area.
- For secondary school, students can attend Auckland Grammar School, Epsom Girls Grammar School, and St Peter's College.
