Grey Lynn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grey Lynn
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Suburb
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Older villas in the south of the suburb
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 Grey Lynn
Location in New Zealand
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Auckland |
| Electoral ward | Waitematā and Gulf ward |
| Local board | Waitematā Local Board |
| Established | 1880s |
| Area | |
| • Land | 282 ha (697 acre) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 11,180 |
| Postcode(s) |
1021
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  Grey Lynn  |
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Grey Lynn is a suburb in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located about 3 kilometers (2 miles) west of the city center. Grey Lynn used to be its own town, called a borough, but it joined with Auckland City in 1914.
The heart of Grey Lynn is Grey Lynn Park. This park wasn't part of the original plan for the area in 1883 because the land was too steep and wet. In 1914, the land was drained and made flat for sports fields.
Today, the park hosts the yearly Grey Lynn Park Festival. This popular event happens on the third Saturday in November and attracts around 100,000 visitors. Grey Lynn is often seen as an "arty" place, known for being a home to creative people and those who like to think differently.
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Who Lives in Grey Lynn?
Grey Lynn covers about 2.82 square kilometers (1.09 sq mi). As of 2023, it has an estimated population of about 11,700 people. This means there are around 4,100 people living in each square kilometer.
The population has grown over the years. In 2018, there were 11,733 people living here. About 14.4% of the people were under 15 years old. Most residents were adults aged 30 to 64.
Grey Lynn is a diverse place. In 2018, about 78.7% of people were European (Pākehā). There were also significant numbers of Māori (9.7%), Pacific peoples (12.4%), and Asian people (9.8%). Many people living in Grey Lynn were born overseas, which adds to its diverse culture.
When it comes to education, many people in Grey Lynn have a university degree. About 48.7% of adults aged 15 and older had a bachelor's degree or higher. Most adults (65.7%) work full-time jobs.
A Look Back: Grey Lynn's History
Grey Lynn gets its name from Sir George Grey. He was an important figure in New Zealand's history, serving as Governor of New Zealand twice. He was also a Member of Parliament for the local area. After he passed away in 1898, the north-western part of the nearby suburb of Newton was renamed Grey Lynn in his honor.
Most of the houses in Grey Lynn were built between the 1880s and the start of World War I in 1914. Many of these old houses are still standing today.
How Grey Lynn Was Planned
The land that became Grey Lynn was once a farm called Surrey Hills. In 1883, this farm was divided into 272 building sections. This created the neighborhood we know today. Two main roads, Williamson Avenue and Crummer Road, are named after the men who owned and sold the land: James Williamson and Thomas Crummer.
The streets in Grey Lynn were mostly laid out in straight lines. Many street names come from early landowners like Williamson and Crummer. However, many other streets are named after famous British artists and writers, such as Sir John Millais and Coleridge. This was likely done to give the area an artistic feel.
The houses built during this time were often similar in their basic design. They were made to look different by adding decorative details like wooden carvings, stained-glass windows, and fancy balconies. A key feature was the bay window, which showed that the owner was part of the middle class. The people who moved into these new homes were often young married couples who worked as clerks, teachers, or skilled craftspeople.
Changes Over Time
By the 1930s and 1940s, the older houses in Grey Lynn started to seem old-fashioned. As more people owned cars, new suburbs with bigger sections became popular. Inner-city areas like Grey Lynn became less desirable and many houses became run-down. Some were divided into flats or used as boarding houses.
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In the 1950s, the low rents in Grey Lynn attracted students and immigrant workers, especially from the Pacific Islands. By the 1960s, Grey Lynn had a strong Polynesian feel. While this has changed a bit recently, there are still many Tongan and Samoan churches in the area.
In the 1970s, people started to become interested in older Victorian homes again. Many young professionals began buying and fixing up the old houses in Grey Lynn. This process, called gentrification, led to higher house prices and rents. New businesses replaced older, smaller shops. This also meant that some student flats and Polynesian families were slowly replaced by middle-class residents.
On December 3, 1981, a landslide in Grey Lynn destroyed some homes near Herringson Avenue and Shirley Road.
Past Mayors of Grey Lynn
From 1885 to 1914, Grey Lynn had its own local government called the Grey Lynn Borough Council. Here are some of the people who served as mayor during that time:
- Richard T. Warnock, 1885–1887
- F. J. Jones, 1887–1888
- S. J. Ambury, 1888–1890
- Samuel Carey Brown, 1890–1893
- Thomas English, 1893–1894
- Richard T. Warnock, 1894–1896
- John Wisdom Shackelford, 1896–1899
- Richard T. Warnock, 1899–1903
- John Wisdom Shackelford, 1903–1904
- John Farrell, 1904–1907
- George Sayers, 1907–1909
- William John Holdsworth, 1909–1912
- George Baildon, 1912–1914
Grey Lynn Park Festival
Grey Lynn Park was once a dairy farm before it became a park in the 1880s. It is the home ground for the Richmond Rovers rugby league club, one of Auckland's oldest teams.
The Grey Lynn Park Festival has been held every year since 1984. It is known as the last independent community event in Auckland. The festival attracts about 100,000 visitors each year. It is organized by a small group of people who raise money from stall fees and grants. The festival started as a local gathering for working-class and Pasifika families, but it has grown to attract a wider audience over the years.
Schools and Sports
Grey Lynn has several schools for younger students:
- Grey Lynn School (Years 1-6)
- Newton Central School (Years 1-6)
- St Joseph's School (Catholic, Years 1-8)
All these schools teach both boys and girls. For high school, students in Grey Lynn can attend:
- Auckland Girls' Grammar School
- Mount Albert Grammar School
- Western Springs College
As mentioned, Grey Lynn Park is the home ground for the Richmond Rovers rugby league club.
Getting Around Grey Lynn
Grey Lynn is well-connected by public transport. It's close enough to the city center that you can walk there, especially through Ponsonby. Buses run regularly along major roads like Great North Road, Richmond Road, Surrey Crescent, and Williamson Avenue.
Interesting Buildings to See
- Grey Lynn Fire Station: This old building, made of brick, was once the Borough Council Chambers and Fire Station. It was built in 1889 and has a unique wooden spire that used to hold the fire bell. It looks a bit like American fire stations from that time.
- Former Auckland Savings Bank: Located on Ponsonby Road, this grand building was designed in 1885. It used to be a bank and features beautiful New Zealand marble inside. Today, it is an art gallery.
- Carlile House: This large, Italian-style building at 84 Richmond Road was built in 1886. It was originally an industrial school. It is now owned by the nearby church.
- Grey Lynn Public Library: This Neo-Georgian style building on Great North Road was opened in 1924. It is still used as a public library and community hall today. Inside, you can see murals painted by artist Murray Grimsdale.
- Former Cameo Cinema: Built in 1928, this Art-Deco building on Surrey Crescent used to be a movie theater. Now, it has been divided into several spaces for different businesses. Its arched entrance is still a noticeable feature.
- St Joseph's Church: This modern Roman Catholic Church was built in 1958. It is known for its beautiful stained glass windows designed by Milan Mrkusich.
- St Joseph's Convent: Next to the church is a school with modern buildings. One of these is the former Convent, built in the 1920s. It is now used as a hostel.
Famous People from Grey Lynn
Many notable people have lived or worked in Grey Lynn, including:
- Fred Bartram - a politician
- Stella Bennett (also known as BENEE) - a singer and songwriter
- Robert Bruce (wrestler) - a wrestler
- Norman Douglas (politician) - a politician
- Shaun Hendy - a physicist
- Dominic Hoey (also known as Tourettes) - a poet, writer, and musician
- Ray Lawless (New Zealand) - a rugby league player
- Ros Noonan - a politician and trade unionist
- Vincent O'Sullivan - a writer
- Samani Pulepule - a pastor
- Edwin Smith (rower) - a rower
- The Midnights - a reggae band
- James Wallis (New Zealand politician) - a politician
