Parnell, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Parnell
|
|
|---|---|
|
Suburb
|
|
Parnell Road shops
|
|
 Parnell
Location in New Zealand
|
|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Local authority | Auckland |
| Electoral ward | Ōrākei ward |
| Local board | Waitematā Local Board |
| Established | 1841 |
| Area | |
| • Land | 288 ha (712 acre) |
| Population
(June 2023)
|
|
| • Total | 7,410 |
| Train station(s) | Parnell Railway Station |
  Parnell, New Zealand  |
||
Parnell (Māori: Panēra) is a cool suburb in Auckland, New Zealand. It's known as one of New Zealand's richest areas. Many people call it Auckland's "oldest suburb" because it started way back in 1841. That was when Europeans first began settling in Auckland.
Parnell has a mix of pretty streets with big houses. You'll also find old industrial areas that have been updated. These now have cool Edwardian townhouses and 1920s bay villas. The area is quite hilly, which means you get amazing views. You can see the port, the Waitematā Harbour, Rangitoto Island, and the Auckland Domain.
To the west of Parnell is the Auckland Domain. To the south is Newmarket. The Ports of Auckland are to the north. Parnell Rise and Parnell Road are the main streets that run through the suburb. Parnell Rise goes towards the city center. Parnell Road goes uphill and then turns towards Newmarket.
Contents
A Look Back: Parnell's Story
Parnell has a long and interesting history. People have lived here for a very long time.
Early Māori History
The area around Parnell was first settled by Tāmaki Māori. Point Resolution was once home to Taurarua pā. A pā is like a fortified village. The name Taurarua means "annoying chant." This name comes from a battle where Waiōhua warriors teased their enemies, Ngāti Whātua. This was one of the last strongholds for the Waiōhua people. Ngāti Whātua took control in the 1740s.
Before Europeans arrived, Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei lived in Parnell. The Auckland Domain was called Pukekawa. This means "hill of bitter memories." It refers to battles between Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Whātua. The New Zealand Government bought the land from Ngāti Whātua in 1840.
How Parnell Began
A man named Robert Tod bought 3 acres of land in 1841. He quickly divided it into 36 smaller pieces. He then advertised these for sale as the "Village of Parnell." Tod named some streets after missionaries he knew. These streets were Groves, Cronin, and Calman. Later, they were renamed Eglon, Fox, and Marston Streets.
Parnell Becomes Part of Auckland
Parnell used to be its own town, called the Borough of Parnell. It was set up in 1877. Before that, a group called the Parnell Road Board looked after the area. In 1913, the Borough of Parnell joined the Auckland City Council area. This meant it became part of the bigger city of Auckland.
Who Lives in Parnell: People and Numbers
Parnell covers about 2.88 square kilometers. It has an estimated population of about 7,563 people. This means there are about 2,626 people living in each square kilometer.
Parnell's Population Over Time
The number of people living in Parnell has grown steadily.
- In 2006, there were 6,519 people.
- In 2013, the population grew to 7,092.
- By 2018, there were 7,563 people. This was an increase of 471 people since 2013.
A Closer Look at Residents in 2018
In 2018, there were 3,021 households in Parnell. There were slightly more females than males. About 10% of the people were under 15 years old. Many people, about 28.4%, were aged 15 to 29. The largest group, 47.6%, was aged 30 to 64. About 14.1% were 65 or older.
Most people in Parnell are of European descent (77.2%). Other groups include Asian (19.3%), Māori (4.8%), and Pacific peoples (2.1%). Many people in Parnell were born overseas (39.7%). This is higher than the national average for New Zealand.
When it comes to beliefs, about 52.1% of people said they had no religion. About 35.6% were Christian. Smaller numbers followed other religions like Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism.
Many people in Parnell have a high level of education. About 49.7% of people aged 15 or older had a bachelor's degree or higher. Most people were employed full-time (54.4%).
Famous Places and Buildings in Parnell
Parnell has many interesting and old buildings. They tell stories about its past.
Lower Parnell Road Highlights
- The Swan Hotel: This old hotel was built before 1856. It's one of the oldest wooden pubs still standing in Auckland. It used to be right on the water's edge!
- Parnell Rail Bridge: This old metal bridge from the 1800s crosses over Parnell Road. It sits on huge volcanic rock pillars.
- Windsor Castle Hotel: Another historic hotel from the 1850s. It was made bigger in the 1880s.
- Former Heard Factory: This is a cool Art-Deco style building. It used to be a candy factory.
- Heard Park: This park was given to the city in 1953 by the Heard family, who owned the candy factory next door.
- Church of St John the Baptist (Catholic): This church was built in 1861. It's the only Catholic church in Parnell and the oldest one in the city.
Parnell Road Landmarks
- Whitby Lodge: This old house was built in the 1870s. It's special because it's made of local volcanic stone called basalt. It was even used as an embassy for the Cook Islands for a while.
- Hulme Court: Built in 1843, this stone house is one of Auckland's oldest. Many important people lived here, including governors and military commanders. It was even a temporary Government House in the 1850s.
- Former Parnell Public Library: This building from the 1920s has a classic Neo-Classical style.
Saint Stephen's Corner: Churches and Homes
- The Anglican Cathedral: This is a very important building in Parnell. It has two main parts. The older part, built around 1960, has a modern Gothic style. The newer front part, built in the 1990s, has big stained-glass windows. It also features Māori designs.
- St Mary's Cathedral Church: Next to the main cathedral is this smaller, wooden church. It was built in 1885 and used to be the main church before the new cathedral was built.
- Bishopscourt: This is where the Anglican Bishop of Auckland lives. It's a wooden Gothic house with a chapel and a unique octagonal tower.
- Neligan House: A beautiful brick house built in 1908.
- The Old Deanery: This house is made of volcanic rock. It's thought to be the birthplace of the famous novelist Hugh Walpole.
Northern Parnell Attractions
- Tower House: A striking brick mansion from 1904 with a distinctive tower.
- Parnell Rose Gardens (Dove Myer Robinson Park): This beautiful park was created in 1913. It's famous for its many rose beds and amazing views of the Waitematā Harbour. It's a popular spot for weddings and hosts a Rose Festival every November.
- Judges Bay: This bay is named after two judges who lived here in 1841. They used to row to work in Auckland!
- Parnell Baths: These are the biggest saltwater swimming pools in New Zealand. They first opened in 1914.
- St Stephen's Church and graveyard: An important old Anglican chapel and cemetery.
Southern Parnell Gems
- Kinder House: A stone house built in 1857. It's now a museum you can visit.
- Ewelme Cottage: This house was built from kauri wood in 1863-64. It stayed in the same family until 1968 and is now a historic site.
- Jubilee Building: This building was part of the New Zealand Jubilee Institute for the Blind. It was built in the early 1900s. The main building is now an Auckland City community center and library.
- Emerald Villa: A historic house overlooking Hobson Bay. It's a great example of old architecture.
Parnell Village: A Shopping Destination
In the 1970s, Parnell became a bit run-down. A local businessman, Les Harvey, bought properties and created "Parnell Village." He wanted to make it a fun place for tourists to shop. Many old buildings were being torn down in Auckland, so he could get materials cheaply. The buildings in Parnell Village were changed to look like a "Ye Olde Worlde Shoppes" style. This gave Parnell a unique, old-fashioned look.
Today, the upper part of Parnell Road has many 19th-century houses. Many are now law firms, shops, or restaurants. The lower part of Parnell has more Edwardian shops, boutiques, and cafes. The streets off Parnell Road are mostly homes.
At the bottom of Parnell Rise is Beach Road. It used to run along the beach! Here you'll find the old Auckland Railway Station. It's an impressive brick building from the 1930s. It was the main train station until 2003.
Green Spaces: Parks in Parnell
Parnell has many lovely parks and green areas.
- Dove-Myer Robinson Park (Parnell Rose Garden): This park is famous for its beautiful roses. It was created in 1913. It has old trees and great views of the Waitematā Harbour. It's a popular place for weddings and hosts the Parnell Festival of Roses.
- Point Resolution Park: Located above the Parnell Swimming Baths. It has a walkway that connects to the Waitematā Harbour.
- Judges Bay Reserve: This park and the Parnell Swimming Baths offer saltwater swimming.
- St Stephen's Churchyard: One of Auckland's oldest cemeteries.
- Ayr Reserve, Alberon Reserve, and Scarborough Reserve: These are areas of native bush, great for exploring nature.
- Heard Park: Located in the center of Parnell Village. It was donated by the Heard family, who owned the candy factory nearby.
- Fraser Park: This park used to be the site of Parnell School.
- Carlaw Park: This park was the home of rugby league football in Auckland for many years.
- Auckland Domain: This huge park borders Parnell. It has lots of trees, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and the Winter Gardens.
- Awatea Reserve: A grassy area with trees and views of Hobson Bay.
Getting Around: Parnell's Transport
Parnell got its own train station, Parnell Railway Station, in March 2017. It serves the Western and Southern train lines. The station is near the Parnell Tunnel, which has been under the suburb since 1873.
Learning in Parnell: Schools and Universities
Parnell is close to several important schools and universities.
- Universities: University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.
- Secondary Schools: Auckland Grammar School, Epsom Girls' Grammar School, St Peter's College, and Baradene College of the Sacred Heart.
- ACG Parnell College: A private school for students from Year 1 to Year 13.
- Parnell District School: A state primary school for students from Year 1 to Year 8.
Both ACG Parnell College and Parnell District School are for both boys and girls.
Famous People from Parnell
Many interesting people have lived in Parnell over the years:
- William Martin (1807–1880): New Zealand's first Chief Justice. He lived in Judges Bay.
- William Swainson (1809–1884): Attorney-General and writer, also lived in Judges Bay.
- Anglican Bishops of Auckland: Many bishops have lived at Bishopscourt in St Stephen's Ave.
- Reverend John Kinder: A clergyman, artist, and early photographer. Kinder House is named after him.
- Reverend Vicesimus Lush: He and his wife built Ewelme Cottage.
- Sir Frederick Whitaker: A lawyer and New Zealand Premier. He built Hulme Court.
- Lieutenant Colonel William Hulme: Commander of British Troops in New Zealand, lived at Hulme Court.
- Governor Colonel Sir Thomas Gore Browne: Governor of New Zealand, used Hulme Court as a temporary Government House.
- Sir Francis Dillon Bell: An advisor to Governor Grey, also lived at Hulme Court.
- Sir John Logan Campbell: A well-known politician whose land became part of the Parnell Rose Gardens.
- Hugh Walpole: A famous novelist who was born in Parnell.
- Sir John Key: New Zealand's Prime Minister from 2008 to 2016, lives in Parnell.
- A.E.T. Devore: Mayor of Auckland from 1886–1889.
Images for kids
-
Panorama of Parnell, seen from the Sky Tower.
.jpg){kind=small}
