Murrays Bay

File:Walkway near a cliff, Murrays Bay, Auckland 20100522 1.jpg sandstone cliffs at Murrays Bay]]

Murrays Bay is located in the East Coast Bays of the North Shore, between Rothesay Bay and Mairangi Bay.{{Cite web |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/3895 |title=Murrays Bay |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=11 July 2023}} The bay itself is located between Tatarata Point, the headland to the east, and Mairangi Bay to the south.{{Cite web |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/3896 |title=Murrays Bay |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=11 July 2023}}{{Cite web |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/41778 |title=Tatarata Point |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=11 July 2023}} A stream runs eastwards through the suburb, called the Taiorahi Creek.{{Cite web |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/41223 |title=Taiorahi Creek |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher=Land Information New Zealand|access-date=11 July 2023}}

The land is primarily formed from clay and Waitemata sandstone, which can be seen in the cliffs along the coast.{{cite report|url=https://knowledgeauckland.org.nz/media/1737/tr2011-010-north-shore-heritage-thematic-review-vol-1-july-2011.pdf |title=North Shore Heritage - Thematic Review Report Volume 1 |author=Heritage Consultancy Services |publisher=Auckland Council |date=1 July 2011 |isbn=978-1-927169-21-6 |access-date=29 June 2023}} Prior to human settlement, the inland Murrays Bay area was primarily a northern broadleaf podocarp forest, dominated by tōtara, mataī, miro, kauri and kahikatea trees. Pōhutukawa trees were a major feature of the coastline.{{cite report|title=The Māori Archaeology of Te Raki Paewhenua/North Shore|first=Dave|last=Veart|publisher=Auckland North Community and Development|year=2018|isbn=978-0-9941358-4-1|page=10}} During the 19th century, the area was dominated by mānuka shrubland and harakeke flax.{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=20-21}}

Māori settlement of the Auckland Region began around the 13th or 14th centuries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/how-auckland-council-works/local-boards/all-local-boards/puketapapa-local-board/docsheritagestudies/waikowhai-coast-heritage-study.pdf |title=Waikōwhai Coast Heritage Study |first1=Elizabeth |last1=Pishief |first2=Brendan |last2=Shirley|date=August 2015|publisher=Auckland Council|access-date=14 February 2023}}{{cite report|url=https://nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/penlink/docs/penlink-cultural-and-environmental-context-cultural-environmental-design-framework.pdf |title=Penlink Cultural & Environmental Design Framework: Penlink Cultural and Environmental Context |author=Boffa Miskell |publisher=Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency |access-date=4 July 2023}} The North Shore was settled by Tāmaki Māori, including people descended from the Tainui migratory canoe and ancestors of figures such as Taikehu and Peretū.{{cite report|url=https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/FileAPI/proposal/NSP000039/Applicants-proposal-documents/7a1333716c/NSP000039-NCI-Vol-2-AEE-Appendix-F-Cultural-Values-Assessments.pdf |title=Cultural Values Assessment Report to New Zealand Transport Agency for Northern Corridor Improvements Project (NCI) |author=Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki |publisher=NZ Transport Agency |date=April 2016 |access-date=30 June 2023}} Many of the Tāmaki Māori people of the North Shore identified as Ngā Oho.{{cite report|url=https://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/assets/E79-CVA-Te-Kawerau-Iwi-Tribunal-Authority.pdf |title=Cultural Values Assessment for America's Cup 36 - Wynyard and Hobson Planning Application |first=Sarah |last=Mossman |work=Te Kawerau Iwi Tribunal Authority |date=August 2018 |access-date=30 June 2023}} While the poor soils around the East Coast Bays hindered dense settlement, traditional resources in the area included fish, shellfish and marine birds.{{cite report|url=https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/FileAPI/proposal/NSP000039/Applicants-proposal-documents/7a1333716c/NSP000039-NCI-Vol-2-AEE-Appendix-F-Cultural-Values-Assessments.pdf |title=Cultural Impact Assessment for the NZ Transport Agency's Northern Corridor Improvements |first=Fiona |last=McKenzie |work=Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust |publisher=NZ Transport Agency |date=June 2016 |access-date=30 June 2023}} The traditional name for the coast between Murrays Bay and Campbells Bay is {{lang|mi|Waipapa}}.{{cite report|url=https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2018/10/HB_20181017_AGN_7929_AT_files/HB_20181017_AGN_7929_AT_Attachment_62448_1.PDF |title=Strategic Parks Service Assessment |author=Boffa Miskell |publisher=Auckland Council |date=August 2018 |access-date=4 July 2023}}{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=22}}

The warrior Maki migrated from the Kāwhia Harbour to his ancestral home in the Auckland Region, likely sometime in the 17th century. Maki conquered and unified many the Tāmaki Māori tribes as Te Kawerau ā Maki, including those of the North Shore.{{Cite web| date=December 2018 | title = Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area |url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts-culture-heritage/heritage-walks-places/docswaitakererangesheritagearea/waitakere-ranges-heritage-area-local-parks-design-guide.pdf | publisher = Auckland Council| access-date = 28 June 2021}}{{Cite book| editor-first=James| editor-last=Northcote-Bade |title=West Auckland Remembers, Volume 1 |year=1990 |publisher=West Auckland Historical Society |isbn=0-473-00983-8 |chapter=Nga Tohu o Waitakere: the Maori Place Names of the Waitakere River Valley and its Environs; their Background History and an Explanation of their Meaning |first1=Graeme |last1=Murdoch |page=13-14}} After Maki's death, his sons settled different areas of his lands, creating new hapū. His younger son Maraeariki settled the North Shore and Hibiscus Coast, who based himself at the head of the Ōrewa River. Maraeariki's daughter Kahu succeeded him, and she is the namesake of the North Shore, {{lang|mi|Te Whenua Roa o Kahu}} ("The Greater Lands of Kahu").{{Cite web|url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Ngati-Manuhiri/Ngati-Manuhiri-Deed-of-Settlement-21-May-2011.pdf |title=Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims |author1=Ngāti Manuhiri |author2=The Crown|date=21 May 2011|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=18 May 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://restorehb.org.nz/resources-matauranga-maori/ |title=He taonga o te rohe |first=Mel |last=Whaanga |publisher=Restore Hibiscus & Bays |date=March 2022 |access-date=30 June 2023}} Many of the iwi of the North Shore, including Ngāti Manuhiri, Ngāti Maraeariki, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Poataniwha, Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Whātua, can trace their lineage to Kahu.{{Cite web|last=Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki and the Trustees of the Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki Trust and the Crown|date=7 November 2015|title=Deed of settlement schedule documents|url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Ngai-Tai-ki-Tamaki/Ngai-Tai-ki-Tamaki-Documents-Schedule-Nov-2015.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=31 October 2021|website=NZ Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213154038/https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Ngai-Tai-ki-Tamaki/Ngai-Tai-ki-Tamaki-Documents-Schedule-Nov-2015.pdf |archive-date=13 February 2020}}

By the 18th century, the Marutūāhu iwi Ngāti Paoa had expanded their influence to include the islands of the Hauraki Gulf and the North Shore.{{Cite web| date=20 March 2021 | title = Ngāti Pāoa and the Trustees of the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust and The Crown Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims |url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Ngati-Paoa/2021-03-20-N-Paoa-Deed-of-Settlement-Historical-Claims.pdf |author1=New Zealand Government |author2=Ngāti Paoa | publisher = New Zealand Government| access-date = 1 September 2021}} After periods of conflict, peace had been reached by the 1790s.{{cite web|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts-culture-heritage/heritage-walks-places/Documents/wenderholm-regional-park-history-walk.pdf |title=Wenderholm Regional Park: Our History |date=2015 |publisher=Auckland Council |access-date=4 May 2023}} The earliest contact with Europeans began in the late 18th century, which caused many Tāmaki Māori to die of {{lang|mi|rewharewha}}, respiratory diseases.{{Cite web| date=May 2017 | title = Cultural Values Assessment for the Warkworth North Structure Plan and Associated Development |url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/pc25-appendix-7-2-ngati-manuhiri-cia.pdf | first=Fiona |last=McKenzie |work=Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust |publisher=Auckland Council | access-date = 4 July 2023}} During the early 1820s, most Māori of the North Shore fled for the Waikato or Northland due to the threat of war parties during the Musket Wars. Most people had returned by the late 1820s and 1830s.{{Cite web|url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Ngati-Manuhiri/Ngati-Manuhiri-Deed-of-Settlement-21-May-2011.pdf |title=Deed of Settlement of Historical Claims |author1=Ngāti Manuhiri |author2=The Crown|date=21 May 2011|publisher=New Zealand Government|access-date=18 May 2022}}

File:Murrays Bay Beach, 1922.jpg

File:Boats at Murrays Bay, Auckland (1960s) (cropped).jpg

In 1841, the Crown purchased the Mahurangi and Omaha blocks; an area that spanned from Takapuna to Te Ārai. The purchase involved some iwi with customary interests in the area, such as Ngāti Paoa, other Marutūāhu iwi and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, but not others, such as Te Kawerau ā Maki or Ngāti Rango.{{cite report|url=https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/WT/wt_DOC_93961548/Wai%20674%2C%20F001.pdf |title=The Crown, Maori and Mahurangi 1840-1881 |first=Barry |last=Rigby |date=August 1998 |publisher=Waitangi Tribunal |access-date=4 July 2023}}{{sfn|Stone|2001|pp=188}}{{Cite web| date=22 February 2014 | title = Deed of Settlement of Historical Claim |url=https://www.govt.nz/assets/Documents/OTS/Te-Kawerau-a-Maki/Te-Kawerau-a-Maki-Deed-of-Settlement.pdf | author1 = Te Kawerau ā Maki | author2 = The Trustees of Te Kawerau Iwi Settlement Trust | author3 = The Crown | access-date = 4 July 2023}} The Crown spent until 1873 rectifying this sale, by making further deals with stakeholders.{{sfn|Stone|2001|pp=188}}

The first Europeans to come to Murrays Bay were itinerant kauri gum diggers in the mid-19th century. Murrays Bay was the site of one of the largest gum diggers camps in the North Shore.{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=2}} The area was known as Tommy's Bay, after the Māori owner of the land.{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=20-21}} In 1880, the land was sold to English settler Thomas Murray, from Newcastle upon Tyne, who converted the mānuka and harakeke scrubland to a sheep and cattle farm, and planted crops including corn, wheat and English grasses. Murray was a lifelong bachelor and devout Christian, who taught Sunday school classes in Takapuna. Murray's farm grew to 174 acres in size, and the bay became known as Big Murrays Bay (Little Murrays Bay was the name for Mairangi Bay to the south).{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=20-21}}{{cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/akldpeople/id/73655/rec/1 |publisher= Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections |date=20 April 2010 |first=David |last=Verran |title=Our history, East Coast Bays (Part one) |access-date=5 January 2023}} Murray sold kauri gum as an additional source of income, constructed a windmill at the site of modern-day Scarboro Terrace, and developed orchards to supply the Auckland market with fruit.{{sfn|Cass|1989|pp=8}}{{sfn|Verran, David|2010|pp=37}}

In 1910, the name for the area was changed from Big Murrays Bay to Murrays Bay.{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=22}} The area was subdivided and sold in 1912.{{sfn|Cass|1989|pp=8}} After the Murrays Bay Wharf was constructed in 1916,{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=20-21}} the area became a popular spot for holidays and day trippers from Auckland, who arrived by ferry.{{sfn|Verran, David|2010|pp=111}} Housing began to be built shortly after the area was subdivided, but due to the outbreak of World War I, construction was paused for five years. By 1920, holiday homes had been constructed at Murrays Bay, and in 1926 two shops had opened in the suburb.{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=20-21}} In the 1930s, Murrays Bay became a refuge for children during the polio epidemic.{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=20-21}} During World War II, pillboxes were constructed at Murrays Bay, at the beach and on the clifftops to the north of the suburb.{{cite report|url=https://knowledgeauckland.org.nz/media/1741/tr2011-010-north-shore-heritage-thematic-review-vol-2-parts-6plus-july-2011.pdf |title=North Shore heritage – North Shore area studies and scheduled items list: volume 2 parts 6+ |first1=Heike |last1=Lutz |first2=Theresa |last2=Chan |work=Heritage Consultancy Services |publisher=Auckland Council |date=2011 |access-date=7 July 2023}}

The suburb grew in the 1950s, after World War II.{{sfn|Cass|1989|pp=8}} In 1956, a new high school was opened in the suburb, Murray's Bay High School. Later renamed Rangitoto College, the school grew to become the largest high school in New Zealand. In 1958, the Murrays Bay Sailing Club was founded,{{sfn|Verran, David|2010|pp=247}} and in 1973 the old Murrays Bay wharf was replaced.{{sfn|Willis|2018|pp=20-21}}

From 1876 until 1954, the area was administered by the Waitemata County, a large rural county north and west of the city of Auckland.{{cite book |last1=Reidy |first1=Jade |chapter=How the West Was Run |pages=238-239 |editor-last1=Macdonald |editor-first1=Finlay |editor-link1=Finlay Macdonald (editor) |editor-last2=Kerr |editor-first2=Ruth |title=West: The History of Waitakere |publisher=Random House |date=2009 |isbn=9781869790080}} In 1954, the area split from the county, forming the East Coast Bays Borough Council, which became East Coast Bays City in 1975.{{cite web|url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts-culture-heritage/heritage-walks-places/Documents/browns-bay-heritage-walk.pdf |title=Browns Bay Heritage Walk |first=Tania |last=Mace |publisher=North Shore City Council |date=October 2006 |access-date=4 July 2023}} In 1989, the city was merged into the North Shore City. North Shore City was amalgamated into Auckland Council in November 2010.{{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}}

Within the Auckland Council, Murrays Bay is a part of the Hibiscus and Bays local government area governed by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. It is a part of the Albany ward, which elects two councillors to the Auckland Council.

Murrays Bay covers {{Convert|1.66|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=27 December 2024}} and had an estimated population of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Murrays Bay West|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Murrays Bay 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|Murrays Bay West|y}}|R}}+{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Murrays Bay East|y}}|R}})/1.66|0}} people per km².

{{Historical populations|2006|4,581|2013|4,704|2018|4,761|2023|4,872|percentages=pagr|align=left|source={{NZ census 2018|Murrays Bay West (119500) and Murrays Bay East (120000)}}}}

Murrays Bay had a population of 4,872 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 111 people (2.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 168 people (3.6%) since the 2013 census. There were 2,418 males, 2,439 females and 18 people of other genders in 1,602 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%2Bdo1.50740%2B119500%2B120000.2023&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}} 2.6% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.9 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 987 people (20.3%) aged under 15 years, 783 (16.1%) aged 15 to 29, 2,334 (47.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 771 (15.8%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 63.4% European (Pākehā); 5.5% Māori; 1.6% Pasifika; 34.2% Asian; 2.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 1.8% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 92.1%, Māori language by 0.7%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 33.7%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 49.0, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 28.2% Christian, 1.5% Hindu, 0.6% Islam, 0.1% Māori religious beliefs, 1.6% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 1.0% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 60.3%, and 6.3% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 1,242 (32.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 1,599 (41.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 696 (17.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $49,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 840 people (21.6%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,911 (49.2%) people were employed full-time, 630 (16.2%) were part-time, and 75 (1.9%) 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%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.50740.2013%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=Murrays Bay (50740)}}

A popular public walkway passes through coastal Murrays Bay, connecting Campbells Bay to Browns Bay in the north. The walkway passes sections of exposed Waitemata sandstone.{{citeq|Q118136068|page=43-44}}

Murrays Bay beach has a wharf that people jump off and fish in the Spring/Summer. There is a sailing club that sails from the beach regularly.

Murrays Bay School is a contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1387|y}} students as at {{NZ school roll data|||y}},{{NZ school roll data||||y}}{{TKI|1387|Murrays Bay School}} Murrays Bay Intermediate is an intermediate (years 7–8) school with a roll of {{NZ school roll data|1386|y}} students as at {{NZ school roll data|||y}},{{NZ school roll data||||y}}{{TKI|1386|Murrays Bay Intermediate}} which first opened in 1958.{{sfn|Verran, David|2010|pp=84}} Both schools are coeducational, and have a decile rating of 10Z. The two schools share a site, and were established in 1957 and 1958 respectively.{{Cite web|url=http://www.safeschoolciap.org/designated-safe-schools/murrays-bay-school-and-murrays-bay-intermediate/ |title=Murrays Bay School and Murrays Bay Intermediate |publisher=Safe School Community International Accreditation Programme |accessdate=2009-01-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407143424/http://safeschoolciap.org/designated-safe-schools/murrays-bay-school-and-murrays-bay-intermediate/ |archivedate=7 April 2014 }}{{sfn|Verran, David|2010|pp=84}}

{{reflist}}

{{sfn whitelist|CITEREFVerran, David2010}}

• {{cite book |last=Cass |first=David |title=ECB – the Years to 1989 |publisher=East Coast Bays City Council |date=1989}}
• {{cite book |last1=Stone |first1=R. C. J. |author-link1=Russell Stone (historian) |title=From Tamaki-makau-rau to Auckland |publisher=Auckland University Press |date=2001 |isbn=1869402596}}
• {{cite q|Q120520385}}
• {{cite book|last=Willis|first=Jenny|title=Early History of East Coast Bays|edition=Second|year=2018}}

• [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/search/searchterm/Murrays%20Bay Photographs of Murrays Bay] held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections.

{{East Coast Bays}}

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Category:Suburbs of Auckland

Category:Bays of Auckland

Category:East Coast Bays

Category:Beaches of Auckland