NZ Visual Diary - entry 108

Onehunga Mall Road shops

Onehunga is a prosperous Auckland suburb, located at the southern boundary of the Auckland isthmus and along the northern shore of the Mangere Inlet. Before the 20th century, the port of Onehunga was larger than the port of Auckland.

In 1893 the citizens of Onehunga elected Elizabeth Yates as mayor. She was the first female mayor in the British Empire. Although her tenure in elected pubic office was brief and contested, Yates has been credited with having been a highly effective politician.

As is the case with many of Auckland’s suburbs, and indeed much of the smaller cities throughout New Zealand, the retail district of Onehunga, much of which sits along the Onehunga Mall Road, has the look and feel of a bygone era. The flashy look of steel and glass that often characterises suburban retail areas which have undergone upscale renovations is not found in many of Auckland’s suburbs.

The shops of Onehunga have maintained the allure and dishevelled charm of what might be called ‘mom and pop’ retail outlets.