Woodhill, Auckland Explained

Woodhill
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:New Zealand
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Auckland Region
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Rodney District
Subdivision Type3:Community board
Subdivision Name3:Rodney Local Board
Subdivision Type4:Subdivision
Subdivision Name4:Kumeū subdivision
Pushpin Map:New Zealand Auckland
Pushpin Label Position:left
Coordinates:-36.7472°N 174.4383°W

Woodhill is a locality in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is in the Western Ward of the Rodney District. Woodhill is approximately 6 kilometres northwest of Waimauku and 10 km south of Helensville on State Highway 16. The North Auckland Line passes through the area. The Woodhill Forest lies to the west.[1] [2]

History

In 1878, Woodhill School was established, in part sponsored by Ngāti Whātua communities of the surrounding area, who wanted a school for their children to attend.[3]

The railway line reached Woodhill in the 1880s, and allowed expansion of the existing farming settlement. Ambury's Creamery shipped the cream by rail to be made into butter in Auckland. A post office was established, and a store opened up opposite the creamery, becoming a social centre until it was destroyed by fire about 1970. The Woodhill Hall was another centre for social gatherings. It contained a library in the late 1920s, and was also used for church services.[4]

In the 1920s, planting of trees to reclaim the sand dunes to the west brought forestry workers to the settlement, and a pine tree nursery was created in Woodhill in 1934. A settlement was created on the hill for the workers and their families. After the forest was privatised in 1987, this settlement disappeared.

Education

Woodhill School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 6 and a roll of . The school celebrated its 126-year reunion in 2003.[5] The school was one of the earliest established in West Auckland. Many children from as far away as Swanson would commute to Woodhill, until the Swanson School was established in 1888.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Reed New Zealand Atlas. 2004. 0-7900-0952-8. Peter Dowling . Reed Books. map 10.
  2. Book: The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. 2005. 1-877333-20-4. Roger Smith, GeographX. Robbie Burton. map 34.
  3. Book: Dunsford, Deborah. 2002. Doing It Themselves: the Story of Kumeu, Huapai and Taupaki . 0-473-08969-6 . Huapai-Kumeu Lions Club . 39.
  4. Web site: Woodhill. Helensville & District Historical Society. 2008-10-18.
  5. Jubilees & reunions - Woodhill School. Education Gazette New Zealand. 81. 12. 8 July 2003. 2008-10-17.
  6. Book: Adam . Jack . Burgess . Vivien . Ellis . Dawn . Rugged Determination: Historical Window on Swanson 1854-2004 . Swanson Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc. . 2004 . 0-476-00544-2 . 40.