Pakuranga

Pakuranga is an eastern suburb of Auckland, in northern New Zealand. Pakuranga covers a series of low ridges and previously swampy flats, now drained, that lie between the Pakuranga Creek and Tamaki River, two estuarial arms of the Hauraki Gulf. It is located to the north of Manukau and 15 kilometres southeast of the Auckland CBD.

History

The suburb's name is Maori for battle of the sunlight or battle of the sun's rays. This peculiar name is the result of a legend about a battle between mythical nocturnal creatures. The battle raged fiercely until a Maori priest caused the sun to rise earlier than expected. Caught by surprise in the rays of the sun, the monsters perished.

Pakuranga itself had a low Maori population in the early days due to the swampy nature of much of the land. Three prominent pa were at Pigeon Mountain and two at Panmure on a cliff, at the intersection of the Tamaki River and the inlet to the Panmure Basin. During the attacks by Ngapuhi in the Musket wars in late September 1820, most of the population were killed, eaten, taken prisoner or fled south to the Waikato.

Pakuranga (New Zealand electorate)

Pakuranga is a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It is held by Maurice Williamson MP, a member of the National Party, who has held the electorate since 1987.

Population centres

Pakuranga is one of 64 general electorates used in New Zealand general elections. It covers part of eastern Auckland around the eponymous suburb of Pakuranga. Other population centres include Farm Cove, Half Moon Bay, Bucklands Beach, parts of Highland Park and parts of Howick.

The boundaries of the Pakuranga electorate were last adjusted in the 2007 redistribution. Initially, the Representation Commission proposed substantial changes, but after hearing objections mainly about Pakuranga, Manukau East, and Manurewa, the shape of the Pakuranga electorate reverted to almost the boundaries prior to the review. No boundary adjustments were undertaken in the subsequent 2013/14 redistribution.

History

Pakuranga was first contested in at the 1963 election, and won by future Labour Party frontbencher Bob Tizard. It was recaptured by National in 1972, and has stayed with National since, save for a brief interlude - the New Zealand Party's presence on the ballot paper in 1984 split the centre-right vote and handed the seat to Social Credit's Neil Morrison.