1951 - The Auckland Electric Power Board build their head office complex on the corner of Remuera Road and Nuffield Street

1953 - Sarawia Park is renamed the Olympic Stadium

1957 - Newmarket Wines and Spirits opens on Crowhurst Street

1960s - Broadway becomes known as the most brightly-lit street in New Zealand thanks to a remarkable collection of giant neon signs

1960s - Newmarket Primary School is known for having the only special class for partially-sighted children and also the only remedial reading clinic in Auckland

1960s - A giant viaduct, the biggest in New Zealand and carrying Auckland's Southern Motorway, is built over Broadway

1962 - The Auckland Football Association construct two grandstands at Olympic Stadium and change the name to Newmarket Park. It becomes a major soccer venue

1965 - The Newmarket viaduct is completed

1966 - Three Bears opens on the corner of Broadway and Morrow Street. Read more about Three Bears here

1969 - 'Smirnoff', a large sculpture by Marte Szirmay is unveiled on the southern end of Newmarket Domain (now known as Lumsden Green)

1970 - Newmarket Park hosted the first ever Auckland final of the Chatham Cup

1970 - The inauguration of the Rothman’s National Football League was also held in Newmarket Park

National League action at Newmarket Park. Photo by Dave Barker, a leading football photographer in the 1970s. Supplied by Friends of Football NZ

1970s - David Lumsden opens The Rug Gallery

1971 - New Zealand's football team play Wales at Newmarket Park

Photo by Dave Barker, a leading football photographer in the 1970s. Supplied by Friends of Football NZ

1971 - The Mandalay, a well-known Auckland dance hall and entertainment centre, opens on the corner of Davis Crescent and Short Street

The Mandalay Reception Lounge under construction on the corner of Davis Crescent (foreground) and Short Street (left). Image supplied by Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1914-02

1972 - A fire damages Rialto Picture Theatre and the area is converted into shops

1974 - David Lumsden becomes the last Mayor of Newmarket. Read more about David and his wife Sydney Lumsden and their contribution to Newmarket's history here

1978 - Highwic is sold to Auckland Council and Historic Places Trust, now Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

1979 - On 2 July a major landslip carries away a grandstand and part of the playing area at Newmarket Park. The park is ceased to be used for soccer and is now passive open space

Image supplied by Friends of Football NZ.

Image supplied by Friends of Football NZ. Read more about Newmarket Park here

The derelict ground before it was rehabilitated by Auckland City Council. Photo supplied by Friends of Football NZ

1979 - Saks opens on Broadway. Read more about Saks here

Saks on Broadway

1980s - 'Water Feature' by Ted Smyth is built on Lumsden Green as a commemoration to the Borough of Newmarket

1981 - Highwic is opened to the public

Charles Lees Brass Manufacturing, Newmarket, July 1981. The men in the photograph are pouring hot metal into a mold. The foundry on Kent Street produced brass parts, mainly for the plumbing industry. The owner of the company was Bob Lees. Photography by Barry Myers.
Abel's Payday, Newmarket, September 1981.  The man walking out the door has just gotten his pay envelope for the week at Abel’s Ltd. The other men queue to get their wages which were paid in cash.  Abel’s manufactured margarine and other largely coconut oil-based products at their plant on Carlton Gore Road, owned by Mr. Stuart Abel. Photography by Barry Myers.
Sunbeam Fish Shop, Newmarket, 21 August 1981. The woman in the photograph is a customer being helped by the son of the owner of the Sunbeam Fish Shop, 137 Broadway. Besides offering fresh fish, the shop had a thriving business selling fish and chips. Photography by Barry Myers.
Lion Breweries bartender, Newmarket, c. June 1981. He tended the bar for production staff and blue-collar workers, which was frequently open during the day.  The beer was free and in addition each employee was given a free case of beer each month.  There was a separate bar and dining area for white-collar employees. Photography by Barry Myers.
An accountant working at Lion Breweries which was the largest employer in Newmarket, June 1, 1981. Photography by Barry Myers.

1983 - Swenson's, an American ice cream company, opens

1985 - A centenary celebration of the Newmarket borough is held

1987 - Two Double Seven (277) mall opens

1988 - Westpac opens at 135-131 Broadway

1989 - The Local Government Amendment Act led to the reduction of Auckland's 33 local territorial councils to seven and Auckland City swallowed Newmarket in the process

1989 - Newmarket's first McDonalds opens at 238 Broadway. Read more about McDonald's history in Newmarket here

1990s - Broadway Park is established. It incorporates a walkway giving access between Middleton Road and Parnell Road

1990s - The Newmarket Business Association becomes part of Auckland Council's Mainstreet funding programme

1993 - The Rialto complex is redeveloped as Rialto Cinemas, with three cinema complexes, shops and a food court

1996 - A second McDonalds opens at 77 Broadway

1996 - Four weeks later, a third McDonald's opens in Westfield 277.

The Newmarket Business Association would also like to thank Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Dinah Holman and Di Goldsworthy for their research and contribution to this website.
The Newmarket Business Association would like to acknowledge the support of Waitematā Local Board in approving a grant towards the funding of this website and the installation of Newmarket's heritage signage throughout the precinct.