Browns Bay History Walk

On a fine spring day in 1876, the Brown family of Mt Albert made their way to the North Shore of Auckland. Peter Brown had purchased 136 acres comprising much of the flat land in the bay, then covered in tutu, fern, and ti tree. The farm gradually took shape with crops grown, an orchard and apiary established, and pastures formed. Brown and other neighbouring farmers initially transported stock right around the Waitematā to the saleyards at Newmarket. Clay roads provided summer access to the bay while goods came by cutter.

Soon holidaymakers were regularly travelling by steamer to the bay to enjoy picnics and games on the beach. The Browns initially provided tourist accommodation at their residence, later offering visitors the opportunity to purchase their own slice of Browns Bay paradise. In 1916, the Browns subdivided their property into residential sites and over the coming years baches grew upon the landscape. Transport links with the city improved in the 1920s with a regular bus service connecting with the ferry at Bayswater.

Over the 1930s and 1940s, the permanent population increased substantially while holidaymakers continued to flood in over the summer months. The settlement became well equipped with shops, churches, and clubs, while the roll at the local school continued to grow. Browns Bay was the key commercial area amongst the neighbouring east coast bays.

By the early 1950s, a number of manufacturing concerns were operating in the bay. Concrete roof tiles were in production using local sand and there were also clothing manufacturers including Ambler & Co., which produced well-known Summit brand shirts.

In 1954, Browns Bay became the administrative centre of the East Coast Bays Borough. The establishment of the borough was partially in response to the impending construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, which was completed in 1959. Browns Bay was now far better connected with the city, and gradually the bay shook off its identity as a holiday resort and became another suburb of an ever-increasing Auckland. In 1975, East Coast Bays City was formed, with Browns Bay once more the leading community. The city was eventually amalgamated into North Shore City in 1989 and has been a part of the Auckland supercity since 2010.

In 1992, a new form of entertainment came from the bay when Shortland Street burst onto New Zealand television screens and quickly became a favourite programme in homes across the nation. Originally filmed on location in Browns Bay, the series has won numerous awards and is now New Zealand’s longest running soap opera. It was in the Browns Bay studio that Nurse Carrie uttered the immortal words: “You’re not in Guatemala now, Dr Ropata.”

Terrain: Mostly paved roads and walkways.

Starting Point: East Coast Bays Library (8 Bute Road).

Parking: Directly in front of the library and along Bute Road.

Disclaimer: This walk is along public roads and includes historical facts about the buildings and the area. Most of the sites are private businesses or homes. Please respect the environment and do not trespass on private property. Neither Auckland Council nor private property owners accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, or injury to you or your property arising from use of this tour.

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