Pakuranga
| Suburb: | Pakuranga |
| City: | Manukau |
| Island: | North Island |
| Surrounded by - to the north |
Tamaki River, Panmure |
Pakuranga is a suburb of Manukau city, one of the cities which form the conurbation of Auckland, in northern New Zealand. It is located to the northeast of Manukau city centre, and 15 kilometres southeast of the Auckland central business district.
Pakuranga is on a peninsula formed by the Pakuranga Creek and Tamaki River, two estuarial arms of the Hauraki Gulf. It is connected by bridge with Panmure. Although bridges had existed at this spot since 1866, it was not until the construction of a sturdy structure across the Tamaki River in the 1950s, Pakuranga was still a relatively rural subdivision. Today it is a mainly rural suburb, with some light industry.
The suburb's name is Maori for battle of the sunlight. This peculiar name is the result of a legend about a battle between mythical nocturnal creatures. The battle raged fiercely until a Maori priest caused the sun to rise earlier than expected. Caught by surprise in the rays of the sun, the monsters perished.
External links
History of Howick and Pakuranga
Categories: Auckland urban districts