Nestled under Maungawhau ‘mountain of the whau’, Newmarket held a position of strategic importance to the various iwi that occupied the land here, including Ngāti Awa, Waiohua, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Pāoa. Many land ownership challenges ensued but by the time European settlers arrived in the vicinity the tribes were sparsely dispersed across the isthmus making way for Ngāti Whātua to engage with the British Crown and then ultimately negotiate the sale of land.
Māori knew Newmarket as Te Tī Tūtahi ‘Sacred Cabbage Tree Standing alone’. The original cabbage tree stood at the corner of Mortimer Pass and Broadway. The tree was sacred to Māori and was a well-known landmark for those travelling between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours, and beyond. Sadly, Te Tī Tūtahi was cut down in 1908 as it was considered ‘a danger to children’ attending the local school. The Buckland family, headed by Alfred Buckland, a local businessman, farmer and auctioneer, lived nearby in Highwic, rescued some of the shoots from the tree. These shoots were used to populate the trees on Lumsden Green many years later and were also included as part of the Teed Street upgrade in 2017.
In the past, the precinct has housed cattle yards, ironmongers, Chinese market gardens, sawmills, breweries and bakers, as well as general retail. People gathered from near and far to buy and sell their wares. Newmarket has been a work horse, housing multitudes of businesses over the generations and has provided thousands of jobs to workers. Its industrial past has morphed into a present day high-end urban town centre where you will find an abundance of commercial and corporate operators, NZ fashion designers, local and international retailers, hospitality outlets, a vast array of fitness centres and beauty outlets amongst other things.
Explore the history of Newmarket across this site. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this content, however we welcome contributions and edits from the community so please get in contact here if you have something to add.
You can also discover the stories behind the streets of Newmarket with the Newmarket Heritage Trail – a self-guided journey through one of Auckland’s most historic and vibrant neighbourhoods. Featuring a number of heritage sites across the precinct, the trail brings the rich history of Te Tī Tūtahi / Newmarket to life through historic imagery, signage and storytelling in both English and Te Reo Māori. From significant Māori landmarks and early transport routes to Chinese market gardens, iconic buildings and hidden local stories, the trail offers a unique way to explore the people and places that have shaped Newmarket over time. Download a map of the trail here.
To view the Newmarket photographic exhibition from the Auckland Heritage Festival 2023, click here.
