Huia Village

Story

Huia is a western suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. Huia was previously known as Te Huia as the area is thought to be named after a Māori chief, Te Huia, who stayed in the bay and was so taken by the area that he remained there. The English translation "The Huia" was used into the 1970s, but simply "Huia" has now become more commonplace.The majority of houses in Huia are located along Huia Road, which arcs around Huia Bay and heads west towards Little Huia.Huia has a single store/cafe (Huia Store), which celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2006. Huia is also served by the Huia Volunteer Fire Brigade.On the shores of Huia Bay is Huia Reserve, there are picnic tables, a BBQ, a small playground, basketball half-court and a half pipe for skating. It is close to the Lower Huia Dam walkway.Lower Huia Dam was opened in 1929 and forms part of the water supply for Auckland.The Auckland Council operates several accommodation facilities in the area including the Kiwanis Huia camp, Huia Lodge (which comprises the old school building), Barr cottage (situated on the waterfront in LIttle Huia) and a camping area known as Barn Paddock in the Karamatura farm.Huia Settlers Museum is located near the entrance to the Karamatura Park. The museum contains many relics of the Kauri felling and milling and artefacts from the wreck of HMS Orpheus.Old Huia School is past the museum. The school opened in 1894 and closed in 1961 due to dwindling numbers. It is now Huia Lodge. The local state secondary school is Green Bay High School.There are an abundance of walking tracks around the Huia area and there are numerous camp sites in the Karamatura Valley. The highest point in the Waitakere Ranges - Te Toi o Kawharu (474m) is part of this valley.