Conifer Grove

Conifer Grove is located on a peninsula of land adjacent to the Pahurehure Inlet, bordered by the Great South Road to the east.{{LINZ|id=58111|name=Conifer Grove|access-date=4 November 2024}} The name was chosen to reflect the environmental focus of the area, as approximately 1/5th of the area was set aside as nature reserves when the suburb was being established.{{cite book|title=Naming Manurewa: Place and Street Names in Manurewa, Weymouth and Wiri |first1=Bruce |last1=Ringer |publisher=Manurewa Historical Society |year=2021 |isbn=978-0-473-59363-6 |pages=36}}

Most of the streets are cul-de-sacs. Due to the suburbs design pattern, there was only one way in and out of the more recent area of Conifer Grove until 2021, when Brylee Drive was linked to Gosper Road of the adjacent Waiata Shores development. The Walter Strevens Drive roundabout also has a security camera which records vehicle movement in and out of the area.{{cite web|url=https://at.govt.nz/media/1976254/walter-strevens-report-final-report-march-2018.pdf|title=Walter Strevens 91 drive walking & cycling ramp link – feedback analysis report 2018|publisher=Auckland Transport|date=March 2018|page=9}} The suburb is known for its tree-lined streets,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10825979|title=My Auckland: Conifer Grove|last=Easther|first=Elisabeth|date=2012-08-11|work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=2019-01-01|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}} bay views, and until 2018 its border with the Manukau Golf Course.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11426512|title=$175m South Auckland retirement village planned |first=Anne |last=Gibson |date=2015-04-01 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=2019-01-01|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}

File:Aerial view of Streven's Farm, Takanini, 1962.jpg

During much of the early 20th century, the area was the location of the Streven family farm. The farm, previously Manukau Golf Course, is now the Waiata Shores subdivision. The names Walter Strevens Drive and Walter Strevens reserve come from the name of the patriarch of that family at the time it was sold - Walter John Strevens.{{cn|date=November 2024}} In January 1974, {{cvt|1000|acre}} of the farm was developed into suburban housing, developed as an upmarket "environmental subdivision".{{cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/manukau/id/5661/rec/2 |title=January 1974 |work=Manukau's Journey |at=MJ_4812 |publisher=Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections |access-date=4 November 2024}} Fraser Thomas were commissioned to design the subdivision and to manage its construction. Fraser Thomas were awarded Certificates of Merit by both the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.[http://www.fraserthomas.co.nz/job%20profiles/sur-conifer.htm Conifer Grove] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009000953/http://www.fraserthomas.co.nz/job%20profiles/sur-conifer.htm|date=9 October 2007}} (from the Fraser Thomas website. Accessed 2008-03-16.)

In 1981, Conifer Grove School was opened,{{cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/manukau/id/6286/rec/1 |title=3 February 1981 |work=Manukau's Journey |at=MJ_5339 |publisher=Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections |access-date=4 November 2024}} followed by the Conifer Grove shopping centre in 1985.{{cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/manukau/id/5898/rec/6 |title=9 March 1985 |work=Manukau's Journey |at=MJ_5625 |publisher=Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections |access-date=4 November 2024}}

In 2018, the first houses of Fletcher Living's Waiata Shores housing development at the former site of the Manukau Golf Course were made available to purchase.{{cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/manukau/id/8230/rec/1 |title=3 December 2018 |work=Manukau's Journey |at=MJ_8016 |publisher=Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections |access-date=4 November 2024}}

Conifer Grove covers {{Convert|2.25|km2||abbr=on}}{{Cite web|title=Stats NZ Geographic Data Service|url=https://datafinder.stats.govt.nz/data/|at=Statistical Area 3 2023 (generalised)|access-date=15 February 2025}} and had an estimated population of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Conifer Grove West|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Conifer Grove East|y}}|R}}|0}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|({{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Conifer Grove West|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Conifer Grove East|y}}|R}})/2.25|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|4,572|2013|4,620|2018|4,713|2023|5,907|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{NZ census 2018|Conifer Grove West (161800) and Conifer Grove East (161900)}}}}

Conifer Grove had a population of 5,907 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,194 people (25.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 1,287 people (27.9%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,925 males, 2,970 females and 12 people of other genders in 1,947 dwellings.{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.52160%2B161800%2B161900.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}} 2.5% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 35.6 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,176 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 1,104 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 2,847 (48.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 780 (13.2%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 47.7% European (Pākehā); 18.7% Māori; 16.4% Pasifika; 31.9% Asian; 1.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 91.4%, Māori language by 3.7%, Samoan by 5.3%, and other languages by 25.5%. No language could be spoken by 2.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.8%. The percentage of people born overseas was 35.7, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 34.3% Christian, 7.3% Hindu, 1.9% Islam, 1.5% Māori religious beliefs, 1.8% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.1% Jewish, and 9.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 38.1%, and 5.4% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,248 (26.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 2,217 (46.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,269 (26.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $49,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 639 people (13.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,715 (57.4%) people were employed full-time, 462 (9.8%) were part-time, and 153 (3.2%) were unemployed.{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bib7%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.52160.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Conifer Grove (52160)}}

The older Conifer Grove precinct has a small shopping centre, however in the newly established Waiata Shores centre, it includes a Countdown supermarket and in the future will include more retail and office space.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

There are various parks/reserves such as Brylee Drive Reserve with two tennis courts and playground. This links to a board walk which goes around the waters/mangroves edge, which is enjoyed by many of the residents. This walk has been extended to connect the boardwalk through to Walter Strevens Drive reserve.{{citeq|Q118136068|page=176}}

St. Aidan's Presbyterian Church was the first church constructed in the suburb in 1989.{{cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/manukau/id/1008/rec/8 |title=18 June 1989 |work=Manukau's Journey |at=MJ_5860 |publisher=Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections |access-date=4 November 2024}}

Conifer Grove School is a coeducational full primary school (years 1–8) with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1255|y}} as of {{NZ school roll data|||y|y||.}}{{TKI|1255|Conifer Grove School}} It is zoned primarily for Rosehill College.

Conifer Grove was originally a part of the Manurewa Ward of Manukau City when the suburb was first established in the 1970s. In the local government reforms of 1989, the suburb was shifted from Manukau City to Papakura District. In November 2010, all cities and districts of the Auckland Region were amalgamated into a single body, governed by the Auckland Council.{{Cite journal| doi = 10.26686/pq.v11i4.4572| issn = 2324-1101| volume = 11| issue = 4| last = Blakeley| first = Roger| title = The planning framework for Auckland 'super city': an insider's view| journal = Policy Quarterly| date = 2015| doi-access = free}} Conifer Grove is a part of the Papakura local board area. The residents of Conifer Grove elect a local board, and two councillors from the Manurewa-Papakura ward to sit on the Auckland Council.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.conifergrove.school.nz Conifer Grove School Website]
• [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/search/searchterm/conifer%20grove Photographs of Conifer Grove] held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.

{{Papakura Local Board Area}}

Category:Suburbs of Auckland

Category:Populated places around the Manukau Harbour

Category:Papakura Local Board Area