Onehunga Library (85 Church Street)

Onehunga was home to New Zealand’s first free library, with books initially being housed in the spare room of Major Kenny of the Fencible Corps, a cohort of military settlers who initially founded the Borough of Onehunga in 1847. At a later stage, the books sat in a storeroom in the Borough Council Chambers, with the keys held by members of the library committee of the council. The present structure began to be used in 1970 and is now combined with an Auckland Council-run community space.

Before the Fencibles arrived, Onehunga was home to a Māori fishing village belonging to Te Uringutu under Ngāti Whātua protection. This was at the western end of Princes Street. But when they were ordered to take an oath of allegiance to Queen Victoria in 1863, the inhabitants went south to the Waikato and did not return. As colonists set about establishing institutions to spread Western knowledge, much indigenous knowledge was lost.

Cross Church Street at the indicated crossing and then continue to the left. At Selwyn Street, turn right and continue walking along Selwyn Street.