Botany, New Zealand

For the residential suburb located to the north, see Botany Downs.
Botany
Suburb
Map
Coordinates: 36°55′44″S 174°54′45″E / 36.9289°S 174.9124°E / -36.9289; 174.9124
CountryNew Zealand
CityAuckland
Local authorityAuckland Council
Electoral wardHowick ward
Local boardHowick Local Board
Golflands Northpark Shamrock Park
Huntington Park
Botany
 Dannemora
Greenmount East Tāmaki Heights East Tāmaki

Botany is a suburb of the East Auckland in New Zealand. It developed in the early 2000s, and is centred around the Botany Town Centre commercial area. Since 2008, a general electorate, Botany, has reflected the name of the suburb.

Etymology

The suburb is named after Botany Road, which is in turn was named after Botany Bay in Australia, which has been visited by James Cook. Botany became used as a name for the area in 1999, and was popularised after the opening of the Botany Town Centre.[1]

History

Botany Road likely began life as a moa track, and later developed into inland ara (walkways) by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.[1] During the latter 19th and 20th Centuries, the area was predominantly farmland.[1] In 1946, the area west of Botany was considered a potential location for the new international airport, which was eventually constructed in Māngere.[1]

The Botany Town Centre shopping precinct opened in 2001.[2] This led to the area being established as a suburb, although its borders are ill-defined.[1] In 2004, the Manukau City Council established the Botany Ward, and in 2007 the newly established Botany electorate was named after the suburb.[1] In 2001, AMP began constructing the Hub, a 5.2 hectares (13 acres) shopping precinct adjacent to the Botany Town Centre.[3] Commercial stores outside of the Botany Town Centre precinct include Pak'nSave, The Warehouse, Torpedo7, Noel leeming, Briscoes and Rebel Sport.

In 2018, Auckland Transport began planning rapid public transport between Botany and Auckland Airport.[4] It is part of a wider programme to improve the transport system in South Auckland.[5] A busway connecting Botany to Auckland's central suburbs is due to be completed in 2025.[6]

Amenities

  • Botany Library, which opened in 2004[7][8]
  • Gillard Reserve
  • Guys Reserve
  • Logan Carr Park
  • Paradice Ice Skating Botany[9]
  • St Columba Presbyterian Church[10]
  • Whaka Maumahara Reserve

Education

Botany Downs Secondary College

Botany Downs Secondary College is a secondary school (years 9–13) with a roll of 1914.[11] The school opened in 2004.[12] Elim Christian College is a state-integrated Christian composite school (years 1–13) with a roll of 1077.[13]

Botany Downs School is a contributing primary school (years 1–6) with a roll of 580.[14]

All schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of August 2024.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f La Roche, Alan (2011). A History of Botany (Report). Auckland City Council. p. 5-10.
  2. ^ Staff reporter (10 July 2018). "Third stage of $78 million Botany Town Centre". Howick Times.
  3. ^ Gibson, Anne (18 September 2001). "AMP builds shopping neighbour for Botany". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  4. ^ Harrowell, Chris (15 September 2020). "Botany rapid transit busway project still on track". times.co.nz. Howick Times.
  5. ^ "Fast and direct transport connections to Auckland Airport take shape". Auckland Council. Our Auckland. 13 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Busway bridge launched over Tamaki River". Auckland Council. Our Auckland. 10 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Botany Library on the move". OurAuckland. Auckland Council. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  8. ^ McAllister, Janet (10 March 2018). "A tale of two libraries". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Ice Figure Skating Champs draw the crowds". Times Online. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Former Filipino sponsor children to share their story in Botany". Times Online. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  11. ^ Education Counts: Botany Downs Secondary College
  12. ^ "An overview of our college". Botany Downs Secondary College. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  13. ^ Education Counts: Elim Christian College
  14. ^ Education Counts: Botany Downs School
  15. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 17 September 2024.