Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
substantiating the company’s claim to
Rise of
the Shopping Mall…
1960 - 1990
1960
“In 1960 most Avondale shops were
being operated by people who had
over a number of years become well-
known in the district. Many were local
residents. Their relationships with
others in the community were
reinforced through their shared
interests in church, sports clubs or
other social groups.” [Challenge of the
Whau, p. 125]
According to Mr Terrence Waterfield,
Eric Schutz of Avondale Motors
“bought the first house down
Racecourse Parade. He had the
house knocked down, bar the garage.
On opening the old garage, he found
an old Willys-Knight car from before
World War II.” [Willys-Knight was a
make manufactured up until 1942,
when the Willys factory started to
make the more famous “jeep”] The car
was up on blocks, with the wheels
hung upon the garage walls. This car
was later owned by the Waterfields for
some time. [Conversation with Mr
Waterfield, 21/7/2001]
“Frequently heard from visitors to
Avondale Motors Ltd is, “Gosh, I
didn’t realize you had such a large
selection.” Not surprising, really,
because you just can’t see all the cars
and light commercial vehicles from the
road. [Great North Road, near Crayford St,
site of once 3-Guys Supermarket].
“Actually, there are scores of vehicles
on the two acre site, amply
116
be one of the biggest second-hand car
dealers in the country.
“Novel twist to the firm’s growth took
place about a year ago when
Avondale’s name took wing to take
root in Suva, Fiji.
“Proprietor Eric Schultz established its
second branch of the firm, which has
become widely known for friendliness,
and above all a fair deal.” [Shopping With
Anne, Western Leader, 23/8/66]
“After 1960 passenger trains became
much less frequent. Trolley buses,
which had replaced trams, were in turn
replaced by diesel powered vehicles.
No longer were routes limited by the
availability of special overhead power
lines. New bus stops were
established along the Great North
Road, and from time to time the
location of these changed. There were
effects on adjoining businesses. The
greatest impact, however, came from
the rapid increase in ownership and
use of private cars. More and more
Avondale residents were able to travel
to Lynnmall, Kelston and other
shopping complexes where prices
were lower and parking easier. This
affected not only the Avondale
business area but also the community
life of the district. Residents less often
met each other at the bus stop, the
railway station or the local store.”
[Challenge of the Whau, p. 125]
Television came to Auckland on 1
June 1960, for two hours nightly, twice
a week. From August 1961,
broadcasts were increased to four
hours every night. With it, it changed
people’s buying patterns, the way
goods were advertised, and the
dominance of radio and the movies.
Everywhere you looked, in print
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
media, on shop windows, the catch-
phrase of the day: “As Seen On TV!”
During the 1960s, traffic lights were
introduced into Avondale at the
Rosebank/Gt North Rd intersection. A
roundabout replaces traffic islands
at Gt North Road / St Judes / St
Georges / Wingate intersection.
Before the mid-1960s, bus-stops in
Avondale (for diesel powered buses)
were directly beside the main shop
awnings in Great North Road. These
were shifted to current positions.
1962
In an obituary published on 18 August
1962, for the death of his father Mr W
R Battersby, Phillip Battersby is
referred to as President of the
Avondale Businessmen’s Association.
Everyone thinks only horses race at
the Avondale Jockey Club but in 1962
all that changed. You see at 1883
Great North Road behind Arthur H.
Nathan Home Appliances (now
Westforce Credit Union) George
Pilkington, the building owner, used to
graze two sheep called Snowy and
Dolly.
Well that summer the two sheep
decided they liked the look of the
vegetable garden over the fence. With
considerable determination they both
pushed their way under the wire fence
and after a lovely time they exited onto
Elm Street.
They soon spotted the green grass of
the Avondale Race Course and a fine
banquet of food. So off they went
slowly nibbling down the main straight
and were somewhere near the start
line. By now it was just after 3'o'clock
and unfortunately for Dolly and Snowy
some children returning home from
117
school discovered this unusual sight.
That's when the first race on the card
got under way! It was led by Snowy
and Dolly and followed by six excited
children. The sheep fleeced the field
on the first lap but on the second were
caught by the children who knew to
where they should be returned.
Snowy and Dolly were led up Elm
Street into Great North Road and the
front door of Arthur H. Nathan Home
Appliances. Snowy was an obedient
sheep and went through the shop and
out the back door returning to her
original pasture. Dolly however was
very stubborn and eventually a little
force had to be used to encourage her
to go through the shop and out the
back door. Well the fun of the big day
had made Dolly a little loose and she
left an unwelcome trail from the front
door to the back door. The proud store
manager could certainly see a line that
separated the white ware from the
brown ware of that home appliance
shop.
And so ended the day that Snowy and
Dolly the sheep raced at the Avondale
Jockey Club.
[The Day the Sheep raced at the Avondale
Jockey Club, Bruce Pilkington, December
2001 (email to the author)]
1963
Lynnmall opens, October.
Before this, in 1963, Stuart North of
Avondale Paints & Papers Ltd
travelled to an International seminar
held in Dayton, Ohio, USA, on
“Modern Merchandising Methods” (11
September), to see what effect
shopping malls would have on the
shopping centres. What he saw
convinced him not to risk moving his
shop to the new block being built
across Great North Road from his
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
store. Owen Rendell, of Rendells in
Newton, was the only other New
Zealander to go. [Conversation with Stuart
North, 3 July 2001]
1964
Mr J E Horide, president of ABA.
Backlash over shopping malls
The establishment of the Lynnmall
Regional Shopping Centre in an
already developed area, which was
over-shopped to start with, and talk of
further big centres to come was an
example of town planning “gone
haywire”, Mr H W Smith, a Blockhouse
Bay businessman, told a meeting of
Auckland retailers last week.
“Lynnmall is a shopping centre which
has been put in an area where there
are adequate shopping facilities
already. There is no way of expanding
New Lynn, so Lynnmall has to rely on
outside areas for support, such as
Roskill, Avondale, Blockhouse Bay
and Henderson.
“Now they are talking of establishing
another big shopping centre slap bang
in the Middle of Mount Albert, which in
turn will take business from Lynnmall.
As far as I’m concerned, it is town
planning gone haywire.”
Mr Smith considered that a proposed
federation of suburban businessmen’s
associations could act as a watchdog
on town planning matters – a field in
which local business people had been
far too apathetic in the past.
The meeting, called by the Mount
Albert Businessmen’s Association and
attended by representatives of over 60
similar organizations in Auckland
suburbs appointed a steering
committee to examine the possibility of
forming a federation to lodge
118
objections to the establishment of new
regional centres at Mt Albert and
Remuera.
Among the speakers, Mr R H Pow,
town planning consultant, who said he
had studied some shopping
developments overseas, was asked by
Avondale businessman Mr C Funnell if
he could shed any light on the effect of
new centres on the already
established shops nearby.
Mr Pow said there was no true
comparison with Lynnmall, because all
the overseas centres he had seen had
been established in areas not then
serviced by shops. [Western Leader,
11/3/1964]
“The bogey of the New Lynn Regional
Shopping Centre, which is now with
us, has proved something of a paper
tiger,” said the president of the ABA,
Mr J E Horide, at the annual meeting
on Monday.
The centre had affected some
businesses slightly and most others
not at all, he said.
The new threat was that more such
centres would follow and, Mr Horide
said, the committee had given
approval in principle to the proposals
put forward by the new Federation of
Businessmen’s Associations.
Outside opposition to the proposed
free bus service had forced the
association to abandon the scheme
but, said Mr Horide, he would like to
point out that the rumoured free buses
to Lynnmall had not materialized
either. [Western Leader, 6/5/1964]
Stuart North now president of the
ABA.
“In unity lies strength, and if our plans
to promote the area to the full are to
succeed, close unity among all
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
shopkeepers in the area is essential,”
said the newly-elected president of
ABA, Mr Stuart North.
“In the past I have been extremely
disappointed at the apathetic
approach to the association’s scheme
by many of my fellow shopkeepers,”
he said.
“If we pull together we can, I know,
offer the public as much as any other
shopping centre in the Western
Suburbs. If we do not get the support
of the businessmen, both members
and non-members of the association,
our strength will be weakened and we
might as well retire ingloriously.”
[Western Leader, 13/5/1964]
Although the Federation of
Businessmen’s Associations could
not prevent large centres from being
built it could endeavour to get them
built in the existing centres and so
centralize shopping. [Western Leader,
13/5/64]
“ABA will soon call for support for the
Avondale Queen Carnival from
sporting bodies, churches, firms and
other organisations in the area. The
association last week agreered to
pursue its plan to hold the carnival. It
hoped the carnival would be well
received in the district and that support
would be forthcoming.
The carnival will be sponsored by the
association in an effort to promote
Avondale … the carnival would enable
the district to work together for a
common cause and it would also bring
to the notice of the public the valuable
work done by the various
organisations taking part in it. Prizes
will be donated by the association.
These will be awarded in a number of
sections, including a prize for the girl
119
chosen Queen, for the best float, for
the most imaginative costume.
“The date for the carnival had not yet
been decided because this would
depend on the amount of support
received by the association, said Mr
North. [Western Leader, 3/6/1964]
“ABA proud to be associated with
Rosebank Industrial Centre and its
phenomenal growth, says Mr S North.
Mr North said while Rosebank Road
had shot ahead, Avondale had made
progress at a steadier rate over the
years. This was marked by the
specialized shops and the brighter
look in the centre.
“He said newcomers to the association
had brought new ideas. These had
mixed well with the original aims of the
older established businesses.
“The proposed queen carnival was an
ambitious venture for the association,
Mr North said, but it would prove its
worth by bringing the shopping centre
to the fore, and by helping the
organisations to increase their funds.
“Members of the association were
working enthusiastically towards the
promotion of both the business and
residential areas. This outlook was a
reflection of the new spirit of unity
among the members, said Mr North.
[Western Leader, 24/6/1964]
“The ABA has been asked by the
Auckland City Council to provide
relevant information to add weight to
the council’s objection against the Mt
Albert and Market Road shopping
centres.
“Because of the close proximity of two
similar types of shopping areas to
Avondale [Lynnmall and Kelston,
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
which opened 1964] the area was
chosen as an example.
“Members of the association have
been asked to supply turnover figures
for the years ended March 1963 and
1964.
“The association fully supports the
Council’s objection to the proposed
shopping centres and committee
members expressed willingness to co-
operate. [Western Leader, 15/7/1964]
Council expenditure on Avondale:
“Is Avondale getting recognition from
the Auckland City Council and fair
allocation of money for improvements/
The Businessmen’s Association thinks
not.
“In this years estimates £34,000
allocated to Blockhouse Bay, only
£6,000 to Avondale. The committee
feels that like Blockhouse Bay
Avondale must form an advisory
committee to the council so that the
needs can be made better known.
“The committee has agreed that
requests to the council for general
requirements have received attention,
but the association could not be a
watchdog for Avondale as a whole and
the only way to get close liaison with
the council for residents and
representatives of industrial firms was
to join with the association and form
an advisory committee which, as a
body, could then approach the council.
“The association is prepared to make
an all-out effort to improve the area
but it cannot \do this fully without the
solid support of the ratepayers.
[Western Leader, 22/7/1964]
Parking signs: “About 12 new gay
blue & white signs pointing out free
120
parking areas to shoppers have been
erected in Avondale.
“They have been designed by the
ABA, who feel that a number of would-
be customers are passing through
Avondale because they do not realize
at the moment there is free parking
space in Racecourse Parade,
Rosebank Road & Geddes Tce.
[Western Leader, 26/8/1964]
Smash & Grab at Avondale –
“Thieves made another smash and
grab raid on a Western Suburbs shop,
on Monday morning. This time the
target was Avondale Furnishings
Ltd, Great North Rd, Avondale.
“When a footpath newspaper box was
heaved through the plate glass
window, appliances in the shop were
damaged, and a television set valued
at £114 was taken. Nearby residents
who were aroused by the noise, saw a
car leaving at high speed. [Western
Leader, 9/9/1964]
“Avondale businessman, Mr C
Funnell, should concentrate on
generating enthusiasm in his centre’s
businessmen’s association before
he directed attacks at the
Auckland City Council, said
Avondale’s representative on the
council, Mr A Bailey, this week.
“Replying to Mr Funnell’s complaint
that Avondale had suffered a “do-it-
tomorrow” attitude for years, Cr Bailey
said the City Council was “well aware
of its commitments in Avondale and its
problems,” but there were many other
districts under its control, too. It was
incorrect to say nothing of a
permanent nature had been done in
Avondale, he said.
“Following requests to the City Council
by the ABA, engineers plan to inspect
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
kerbs in Geddes Tce, on the corner of
Crayford St, and in other roads near
the racecourse.
“The association recommended that
part of the verge be removed to
provide angle parking, and to relieve
parking problems. [Western Leader,
23/9/1964]
1965
Mr J E Horide president of ABA.
“Avondale Businessmen are pleased
that once again the Mayor of
Auckland, Mr Robinson, has occasion
to visit the district,” said the president
of the ABA, Mr J Horide.” [Western
Leader, 7/4/1965]
(Actually, the occasion was the
opening of the new head office and
administration building at Steeles
Factory in upper Rosebank Road.)
“In an extra effort to keep the streets
of Avondale clean, Auckland City
Council has increased the number of
litter baskets in the area to 17.
“President of the ABA, Mr J E Horide,
said people had often remarked on the
untidiness and litter on the streets of
New Zealand cities.
“Avondale businessmen had always
been anxious that the shopping centre
should be kept clean, he said. They
had applied to council for more
frequent and thorough sweeping of the
streets.” [Western Leader, 12/5/1965]
ABA may go into recess
“Out of a membership of 56, only 13
people attended ABA’s AGM last
week.
“Motion put by Horide for ABA to go
into recess narrowly defeated 6-5.
121
Avondale’s businesses to be
canvassed for support of another
meeting May 31.
“Mr Horide said the brevity of the
annual report could only be attributed
to the lack of interest and desire for
the progress and development of
Avondale as shown by the members
of the association.
“When the committee tried to organize
a business promotion week last year
the absence of support was such that
it became simply a matter of individual
efforts. This so disgusted some of the
more active members that they
resigned from the association to
devote their energies to their own
interests.
“These resignations led to a
reorganization of the executive officers
and Mr Horide returned to the chair to
prevent a total cessation and collapse
of the association, at least until the
general meeting.
“As the only organization representing
business and property interests in
Avondale, the association should have
much influence in progress and
development,” said the report. “That it
does not is because of the lack of
action of its members.”
“If more interest was not shown at the
AGM, Mr Horide said, he could only
recommend that the association be
discontinued.
“Such a course was abhorrent to him
and to several others, he said, but to
continue as in the past was too
thankless a task for those who were
left to conduct the association’s
affairs.” [Western Leader, 19/5/1965]
Mr R B Niven now president of ABA.
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
“A lively discussion took place
between 20 members of the ABA at
the AGM held recently. (Regarding
bus stops, parking, tree planting,
community lighting, and welfare
projects.) [Western Leader, 16/6/1965]
Avondale Bank of New Zealand
robbery: During the night of 9 June
1965, Daniel Huntwell McMillan and
his brother David Harley Western
broke into the bank building and
waited for the next day’s opening.
Bank staff in those days needed to
collect money from the branch in the
city, in this case near £15,300.
Carrying a pistol and a sawn-off
shotgun, the robbers leapt out at bank
employees Jeff Julian and Murray
Ness, hit them on the head and tied
them up with masking tape.
Most of the money was recovered and
the robbers arrested within two weeks.
[Without Fear or Favour, 150 Years of Policing
in Auckland, Owen J. Cherrett,, 1989, p. 129]
21/6/65 – New BNZ building opens,
corner Racecourse Parade and Great
North Road (old Clews family land)..
“It is my hope that the Avondale
business area will continue to gain
popularity with shoppers during the
next 12 months,” said the newly
elected president of the ABA Mr R B
Niven. “ [Western Leader, 16/6/1965]
Letter to Town Clerk, from ABA,
9/7/1965: “The Association conducts a
community lighting scheme
throughout the Avondale shopping
area. For some years the Grosvenor
theatre has been a member of this
scheme, and 2 lights were installed
outside the theatre premises.” The
tenants, S Haywood’s Auckland
Cinemas Ltd, couldn’t pay for the
lighting, due to a slump in business
(television’s effect on the cinema
122
worldwide). The council agreed to
continue to pay £8.
“Beautification of Avondale was
discussed last week by the ABA,
Auckland City director of Parks &
Reserves Mr G Dean, and Mr Lake of
the Auckland Traffic Department.
“Members of the association, Mr Dean
and Mr Lake inspected the outer
boundary of the Avondale [Primary]
School on the Great North Road, and
discussed the possibility of cutting
back the ground to provide space for a
bus stop.
“The scheme, which was proposed by
the association was said to be
practical. Following investigations Mr
Dean and Mr Lake will report back to
the association.
“To support the businessmen’s plans
to beautify the area, Mr Dean agreed
to organize a tree-planting project in
the area. “The association has applied
to the Auckland City Council for
permission to erect welcome signs on
access and egress roads.
“It has also asked council to upgrade
Great North Rd from Avondale Post
Office to St Georges Rd.
“A power pole, which was recently
installed in the middle of the traffic
island, was considered to be a traffic
hazard as well as an eyesore. The
association has asked the Waitemata
Electricity Board to remove the pole.”
(Actually, WEB stated later it was only
a temporary fixture, and removed
same.) [Western Leader, 14/7/65]
According to Stuart North, the project
to shift the bus stop for Avondale to
just outside the Primary School was
one undertaken as a joint exercise by
the Businessmen’s Association,
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
Avondale Lions, Avondale Rotary and
the City Council. [Conversation with Stuart
North, July 3, 2001]
Avoncourt put on the market for
sale.
“So many of our old buildings are
pulled down that I hope a landmark
like Avoncourt without a trace of borer
in its solid heart kauri beams is
preserved, even if at some future date
it may be modernized.” [“Jay”, Avondale
Angles, Western Leader, 18/8/1965]
Unfortunately, the Avoncourt hotel was
demolished in 1967.
Painting the centre.
“A prominent Avondale businessman
said that two years ago he had a
colour scheme worked out for the
shops in the main centre.
“Some of the shops have been
repainted, but on looking around
recently, I did see a number which are
in a very shabby state.
“With all the new buildings erected,
and in the process of being erected, it
would be gratifying to see the other
shops smartened up. It’s a thought I
leave with you to smarten up by
Christmas with a pot or two of paint.”
[“Jay”, Avondale Angles, Western Leader,
25/8/65]
The ‘prominent businessman’ was
Stuart North, of Avondale Paint and
Papers Ltd. Unfortunately, his
suggestion of repainting the shopping
centre would not be realised until the
Mainstreet project of the late 1990s.
He also suggested setting up a coffee
shop close to Great North Road and
the main traffic areas. [Conversation with
Stuart North, 3 July 2001]
Welcome sign
ABA has erected “Welcome to
Avondale” signs which can be seen as
123
travellers come from town along the
intersection of Gt North Road and
Blockhouse Bay Rd, another by St
Ninians church, and the other at the
corner of New North Road. [Western
Leader, 22/9/65]
Avondale loses City Council
representation
(Bailey loses his seat on the council.)
“Voters in the western suburbs’ area of
the Auckland City Council region
showed complete lack of interest of
the polls, says Blockhouse Bay
Businessmen’s Association president
Mr Ian McGregor. They are now faced
with no direct representation on the
Auckland City Council.
Lack of representation is causing
concern among business communities
and Residents and Ratepayers
Associations.” [Western Leader, 20/10/65]
(There would not be another Avondale
local on Council until the mid-1970s)
ABA recruiting drive
“ABA stages social and recruiting drive
on 27 October 1965 at new Rosedale
Reception Lounge on upper
Rosebank Road.
At present, the association is holding
an “all out” campaign to give better
service and let the public know that
services equal to those anywhere else
are available in the area.”
(Rosedale was a new dance studio of
ballroom dancers Maurice and Lionel
Taylor, the then biggest private
ballroom in Auckland). [Western Leader,
20/10/1965]
Shoppers crèche idea
ABA hope for crèche for shoppers and
that Salvation Army Hall could serve
this purpose (From December 15 to
24, the Salvation Army ran a crèche in
their Y.P. Hall for the Business
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
Association, with funds raised going to
towards their new hall.). [Western
Leader, 27/10/1965; Salvation Army Corps
History, 1965]
[From Jan Grefstad’s book, Picture Theatres
of Auckland]
In November 1965 Mr. Bruce
Anderson commenced to run the
cinema for a short time. At this period
business was very poor for most
Suburban Cinemas battling to survive
the television invasion of
entertainment. By February 1966 he
had had enough and indicated to
Auckland Cinemas that he would give
up on March 1. He also told his friend
Fred Ward who was in partnership
with Ray Melrose at the Metro,
Mangere.
I had met Fred and Ray at a
Projectionists Union meeting early in
1965 and I had kept in touch with them
during this time. One day Ray asked
me if I would like to run the Grosvenor
in partnership with himself, as he knew
Bruce wanted to give up the business.
I agreed and we entered an
agreement with Selwyn Hayward to
take over on a managerial agreement.
The last movies Bruce showed here
were John Wayne in "The
Comancheros" with "That Naughty
Girl" with Brigitte Bardot for the
weekend February 5/6; "The Sky
above, the Mud below" a documentary
on New Guinea and "Broken Arrow" a
western with James Stewart and Jeff
Chandler on February 11/12; "The
Hustler" with Paul Newman and It
happened in Athens" with Jayne
Mansfield; "Wild in Country" with Elvis
Presley and "Misty" with David Ladd
on February 25/26 his last movie
programme.
In December 1965, Mr Terrence
Waterfield built the third and last site
for Ray’s Studios, across the Great
124
North Road as part of the new block
constructed in the mid 1960s.
Mr Waterfield recalled that a Mr Bill
Dowling was the first to build, having a
delicatessen, café, and record shop.
Then came Mr Waterfield’s building
(site of present day Salvation Army
shop), then Fowlers, then a dairy
(which later converted to the Bank of
New South Wales).
Burt Coyle approached Mr Waterfield
beforehand, and tried to sell him the
corner site of the old billiard saloon
and shops by Crayford Street for
£10,000. However, Mr Waterfield built
across the road for £7,500.
The Waterfield’s studio could
accommodate up to 100 people at a
time for group sittings, taking photos of
marching teams, local soccer clubs
etc. They had a number of staff
working for him, from photographers to
re-touchers. Their team handled up to
250 weddings per year.
They also provided special touches,
such as when they saw the obituary of
a client’s child, they would prepare an
oils miniature of the child and present
this to the parents with their
condolences.
Mr Waterfield recalled how he was
known to many as “Mr Ray.” “The
business ran us, we didn’t run the
business,” he told me. There was little
room for much of a social life in those
hectic days of keeping up with locals’
needs.
One of their pride and joys was the
front projection system, which involved
a projector, camera and a ½ mirror set
at a 45o angle. By the use of
transparencies, any background could
be used without the projection falling
onto the subject.
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
However, gradually the improved
technology around photography
allowed more photos to be taken by
the ordinary person, no longer
requiring the services of a professional
portrait photographer. With the onset
of colour in the mid 1960s, then
instamatic cameras in the 1970s, the
re-ordering of wedding photos, the
Waterfield’s main money earner,
dropped off. They sold the business in
the late 1980s “just before GST came
in.”
The only remnant today of Ray’s
Studios is a blue sign with bright
lettering over the closed doorway
which used to lead to the studio, but is
now locked tight.
No more will we see the sight of a
local professional photographer, who
learnt the trade both from others and
by himself, playing knucklebones on
the step leading to his old shop.
[Conversation with Mr and Mrs Waterfield,
21/7/2001]
1966
Block between playground, playing
courts and (now) Inner Circle
Development built. [Western Leader,
30/9/1969]
Fowlers Bargain House and Rays
Studios (Terence Ray Waterfield) both
purchased property in the 1973-1987
Great North Road block in December
1965.
Digby and Warwick Fowler initially had
a shop at 4 St Georges Road in 1965-
66, but “the old store was a cramped
600 square feet.” The new premises
had “1800 square feet of selling
space, and was designed by Mr J
Entrician,” who’d also designed
Plessey’s factory in Henderson.
125
In the new shop, “the lighting is superb
– two light wells with splayed sides
brighten the shop to daylight intensity
… The Fowler family built all the
counters, made display stands, and
came up with two unique self-service
stands – a revolving button stand lined
with shelves carrying 1200 types of
buttons. The other stand carries a
large range of haberdashery – at least
300 items,” designed by Digby Fowler,
who co-ran the Onehunga family
business with his brother Warwick
while another brother Tim ran the
Avondale branch.
New building codes came into effect
shortly before construction of the
building. “The blockmakers were well
advanced laying wall blocks when they
were told the city council insisted on
four-hour blocks – these allow fire to
heat them for four hours before being
damaged.
“These and other restrictions were
faced by Tim and it was to his credit
that the store was completed within 18
weeks.” [quotes from Western Leader, 30
September 1969]
Fowler’s closed their Avondale branch
on 31 December 1993.
Metropolitan Films take over
Grosvenor Theatre, (Jan Grefstad and
partners) [letter to Council, 21/2/66]
“In talking with local businessmen and
residents, we have noticed that they
are showing intense interest and all
have expressed their support at our
intentions to provide first class
entertainment and service.”
Metropolitan begin showing films 1
March 1966. 10 December, Hayward’s
relinquish the tenancy.
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
“It is regretted that after more than 30
years as your tenants T.V. has
brought an end to our association.
Signed Selwyn Hayward, Director"
[Letter to Council, from Picture Theatres of
Auckland]
“Over the years the Saturday matinees
were the busiest time of the week
especially the first 20 years. The
matinees were usually reasonable but
with special attention and extra
attractions like real monkeys on stage
from a circus (which almost ripped the
screen apart with their sharp claws)
and even local pop stars to sing to
their fans. One of the most popular
innovations I devised for the matinees
was the introduction of housie every
week. When the children brought their
admission ticket I gave them a housie
card free. At Interval after they had
stocked up on candy and ice creams I
would go on stage and call out the
numbers. The basic rule was when
they completed a line they had to
shout “Hollywood!” I used to give free
six packs of Coca-Cola, free theatre
tickets, and even $5 cash for prizes.
To add to the excitement I would put
six red cloth bags on the stage with
the prizes hidden inside them. When
each prize-winner was checked the
child was allowed to pick a bag with a
mystery prize - this sometimes was
quite hilarious as I might include a
"booby prize"! This game was very
popular with the children and I saw the
attendances at the movies climb to
record levels and it was not unusual to
have to turn the kids away when all
the seats were full!” [Jan Grefstad, Picture
Theatres of Auckland]
The theatre now becomes
“Hollywood”.
In 1966 new premises for the Bank of
New South Wales were built on the
same site (1996 Great North Rd) and
the bank leased these from 16 June
1966. [E-mail from Pauline Porteous,
Records and Archive Manager, WestpacTrust,
27/3/01]
Negotiations with Auckland City over
part payment of Clark Street-
Wolverton Rd extension has been
“favourable”, according to a New Lynn
Borough Council spokesman today
(6/12/66), [Previously, only connection
between Wolverton St and Clark St
was a narrow footbridge. This was to
be replaced by a four lane road. Traffic
from Blockhouse Bay could now
bypass Avondale Centre via St Judes.
– Western Leader]
Avondale future predicted bright
“During the year, Avondale businesses
had offered topline service and
competitive prices, said the president
of the ABA, Mr R Niven. “We have a
motto, ‘Avondale has Everything’, and
with more than 65 shops in the area it
has been proved,” he said. “With the
growth in Rosebank Rd, Avondale
Centre faces a bright future.
“There is ample off-street parking and
the centre is well served by public
transport. I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank all those who
the
shop in the area and wish all Avondale
customers a Merry Christmas and a
happy New Year.” [Western Leader,
13/12/1966]
126
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
Greenlees Jewellers: “Beau, Mr
Greenlees’ snowy Maltese terrier
looks more like a bundle of fluff than
ever as he naps happily on the green
carpet in Mr Greenlees newly
decorated shop. [Next to National
Bank, near southwest cnr of
Rosebank/Great North Rd
intersection]. The shop has been
expanded to double its size, the
wonderful selection of gifts and
jewellery has correspondingly
increased.” [Western Leader, 20/12/1966]
By 1966, Avondale Auction House
was trading from Charles Trigg’s old
site at 1980 Great North Road. In
December 1967 they arranged the
auction of Vic Amos’ fire-damaged
goods, and in June 1969 were
incorporated. The black cat mascot
perched on the rooftop for so many
years, until the 1990s, apparently
came from a takeaway shop in Mt
Albert which was banned from
erecting it by the Mt Albert Borough
Council. (In May 2001, it resided, in
tattered but recognisable condition, on
a rafter in the now Avondale Spiders
store, as seen by the author).
In July 1970 the auction house was
enlarged by a new building on the
southern side, doubling the floor space
to 5000 feet, increasing the frontage.
“The auction house owner, Mr Rex
Bell, was unable to decide as the
building went up, whether to keep two
separate shops or make it one large
one and had the wall included. Now,
he has decided it is the best idea to
make the shop one and is going to
knock out a space in the new wall.
“Mr Bell is an engineer by trade … he
does most of his own repairs and
restoration of motor-mowers and
appliances which cuts down many
overheads and allows him to offer
goods at the lowest possible prices.
127
He started buying and selling in a
small way as little more than a hobby
and when he took over Avondale
Auctions [1968] it was his first venture
into the game on a fulltime basis.”
[quotes from Western Leader, 14/7/1970]
By the late 1980s, the business
became known as Avondale Spiders
Ltd, and was incorporated in 1991.
The black cat is now replaced by a
yellow and green spider.
1967
After Jim Crawford’s death in 1966,
the old Morrison & Crawford service
station changed to its newer layout
which can still be see today as the
Caltex’ Station, in 1967.
“What happens when a service
station, apparently ideally sited for its
patrons’ purpose in 1930, is gradually
by-passed through ever increasing
traffic build-up and congestion? There
were two possible answers to this very
real problem faced by Mrs V.F.R.
Crawford and her son John of
Avondale; so, following the death of
the late Mr Jim Crawford in 1966, they
decided not only to carry on the
business but to extend it, by realigning
their premises.
This was done first or all by moving
the Crawford homestead to the back
of the section, away from the service
station and then building the modern
and spacious sales rooms and service
facilities, with petrol pumps re-sited on
the enlarged drive-in.
The result was … a very marked
improvement in business. It also
brought distinction to Avondale, for in
a New Zealand-wide contest to
discover the model service station
marketing Atlantic Union Oil and petrol
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
products, Morrison & Crawford won 1st
prize!
A fitting tribute to the Crawford family
who, when others would have cried
quits, decided to expand instead.”
[Western Leader, 23/10/1969, from collection
of Mrs V Crawford.]
In 1976, the business was sold to
Curtis & Miller.
“Morrison & Crawford became one of
the first outlets to one-line to Atlantic in
1952. Since that time the premises
have been successively upgraded to
maintain the modern image. In 1967
the station was relocated some 50
metres to escape the traffic congestion
of a nearby intersection. This major
upgrade not only ensured the future
growth of the service station but also
contributed to a clear cut win in the
Atlantic “Model Service Station Award”
in 1969.” [Mobil Happenings, in-house
magazine, 1982, from the Crawford Collection,
courtesy of Mrs V Crawford.]
Vic Amos chairman of ABA in 1967.
September: Avoncourt Hotel
(formerly Avondale Hotel) demolished.
Avondale’s first supermarket,
Coopers, built on the site.
“The Avoncourt Hotel at Avondale is
rapidly disappearing and as it falls
brick by brick and beam by beam,
many old stories are sharply revived.
Demolition gang foreman, Harry
(‘Harbour Bridge’) Hujbregts said that
since work on tearing down the hotel
began several weeks ago, many
people had come in and asked to be
shown through the rooms once more
before they disappear.
“And with the ‘old timers’ have come a
host of long-forgotten tales – some
amusing, some macabre.
128
“It’s rumoured,” said Harry, “that there
are 500 gold sovereigns hidden here
somewhere, and one old man told me
that if we looked carefully we’d
probably find traces of gold dust,
brought in by the Coromandel gold
prospectors many years ago.
“In the past two weeks Harry has
heard stories of men taking their first
date to the hotel; of the licensee who
hanged himself in the cellar after the
hotel lost its licence [this, of course,
refers to the real suicide of Mr J. Stych
in 1898 - note]; and of a pioneer
woman’s diary hidden somewhere in
the hotel.
“There’s also the story that the stable
behind Avoncourt was once the
overnight resting place for corpses
brought out of the bush by the
gumdiggers and bushmen.
“I was told that in those days the hotel
was overrun by rats,” said Harry. “One
night, a dead Maori was left in the
stables. In the morning, they found
nothing but his bones.” [Western Leader,
5/9/67]
Burnt-out and Burgled Amos’ Quit
Avondale --“Two burglaries and a fire
in one year. It’s time to quit and I’m
quitting.”
“These were the words of Avondale
grocer, Mr Vic Amos after surveying
his fire-gutted shop last week.
“I never thought I’d walk out like this.
My father owned the business before
me and I’ve been here all my life.
We’re the second oldest grocery firm
in Auckland.” [Western Leader, 5/12/67]
“Avondale is on the move. A large
supermarket is at present under
construction on the site of the old
Avoncourt Hotel and is expected to be
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
opened next year, and this week one
of New Zealand’s most rapidly-
growing wine producing companies
Montana Wines Ltd will open a
spacious new shop in the commercial
centre.
“A new dairy will also open on Friday.”
[Western Leader, 12/12/67]
The new supermarket expected to be
complete by January 1968. Cost
$220,000, 14.000 sq ft, designed by J
D Davison Construction Coy Ltd, for
Mr M.H.G Cooper. It will be divided
into individual departments selling
meat, fruit, and vegetables and
groceries. An additional feature will be
a coffee lounge. At the centre of the
supermarket will be a type of mall.
“What we have endeavoured to do is
divorce each department from the
actual market operation and at the
same time, keep it all under one roof, “
Mr Cooper told the Western Leader
last week. “This type of development
will possibly be the first of its kind in
New Zealand.”
Off-street parking was provided for
78 cars and an additional 28 spaces
will be provided under the building.
[Western Leader, 12/12/67]
“Avondale is on the move and is
attracting many more enterprising
businessmen to the area. Had the
credit squeeze not curtailed the
Auckland City Council’s finances, an
improvement scheme for the shopping
area would have been put into effect
this year.
“This would have welded the two ends
of the commercial centre, at present
separated by the Avondale Primary
School on one side of the Great North
Rd and residential properties on the
other. This situation will not be altered
129
as far as these properties are
concerned, but the footpaths will be
cut back, allowing buses to pull out
into the main traffic stream, making for
a smoother flow at all times.
“[Bus] shelters must be compatible
with the new look which will
incorporate suitable trees and shrubs,
promised by Mr George Dean of the
City Council’s parks department.
[Western Leader, 12/12/67]
“Avondale businessmen are not
pulling their weight” – Avondale
businessmen who were not members
of the ABA, were not pulling their
weight, but were enjoying the benefits
of advertising and promotions, the
secretary of the ABA, Mr A. Bailey,
said last week.
“He said response from businessmen
had been poor for about two years.
“They’re all out for trade and are doing
good work, but they’re leaving it to just
a few to carry on with the work of the
association.”
“The Avondale association was one of
the oldest groups to have held its
place in one of Auckland’s oldest
suburbs, he said. The area dated back
to the gumdiggers and in those days
there was only a “pub” – the Avoncourt
– which Mr Bailey owned for many
years, and a store.
“Today the ABA is still doing its best to
keep a watchful eye on the business
community and to advance good
trading, to keep shoppers happy. At
this time of year it arranges
Christmas festivities for all ages, gay
lighting effects and various
promotions. [Western Leader, 12/12/67]
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
1968
Rumours abounded in 1968 that
Auckland City Council planned to
dispose of the Hollywood Cinema.
“I have heard that the council was
discussing possible disposal of this
property within the next few years.
Personally I feel that this would be to
the detriment of the Blockhouse Bay-
Avondale Area as now this is the only
cinema to serve both areas as the
Kosy Theatre, Blockhouse Bay has
now been sold and demolished to
become a Supermarket.
“To dispose of this property at this
crucial time when Avondale has few
Community Assets would I am sure,
incur the wrath of the local people, the
Businessmen's Association and local
clubs such as the Lions who look to
the cinema for their only pleasures in
this area. As the building is in
reasonable repair and not in the way
of any major developments I cannot
see any reason for disposing of the
building. [Letter by Jan Grefstad to Auckland
City Council, reprinted in Picture Theatres of
Auckland]
Reminiscing in 1968, Charles Collier
stated he “has seen the shopping
centre develop from just two blocks of
shops, one his own, to today’s modern
complex. ‘It was all empty sections
along here, but it won’t be long before
it’s all filled up, I’d like to see the few
remaining houses pulled down and the
gaps filled in.” [Western Leader, 13/8/68]
1969
In 1969 the assistant manager of the
Bank of New South Wales branch
wrote,
“The Avondale shopping centre is well
established and comprehensive. The
area it services is growing
130
commercially, industrially and in
population.” [E-mail from Pauline Porteous,
Records and Archive Manager, WestpacTrust,
27/3/01]
20/5/1969: Stuart North retires as
President of ABA.
“We are convinced that street stalls
and raffles are not desirable ways to
raise funds”, he wrote in his last
annual report. The ABA would like to
see a monster gala day where all
sports clubs, service organisations,
and churches could raise funds at
once.”
North was president 5 times, spent 14
years on committee. During his time
many shops increased floor space,
bus shelters were erected in
Avondale, and light industrial buildings
went up in St Judes St. He operated
Avondale Paints and Papers on Great
North Rd.
In his last term (1968/69) an
Avondale advisory committee was
set up to keep the Auckland City
Council informed on Avondale’s
needs. This consisted of 3 retailers, a
draughtsman, and the manager of a
Rosebank Rd industrial firm – Messrs
North, Funnell, Tomlinson, J Goodwin
and B Potten) [Western Leader, 13/5/69]
1970
Around this time, the Shoprite
supermarket chain opened a branch
in Rosebank Road next to Rosebank
Road bus terminus. This later
becomes a Salvation Army op-shop
(which moved to Great North Rd
opposite new post office), then a
bathroom store (which moved to Great
North road for a while, in building that
replaced Variety Gifts.) In 2002, it
became the home for the St Vincent
de Paul op-shop.
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
1971
St Lukes Shopping Centre opens.
On the 8th June 1970 the Bank of
New South Wales branch moved to
number 1971 Great North Road. On
the 11 December 1972 the agency
became a full branch and the first
manager was Brian W. Grey. [E-mail
from Pauline Porteous, Records and Archive
Manager, WestpacTrust, 27/3/01]
Wises Directory of 1971 lists 187
Avondale businesses in shopping
centre.
Population of Rosebank, Avondale
North, Avondale South and New
Windsor is 21,163. Approximately
16,200 people were contained within
Avondale’s primary trade area.
[Avondale Shopping Centre Report, Auckland
City Council, March 1975]
By 1971, Battersby’s Ltd had made
improvements and changes to their
chapel offices and facilities, and
celebrated 40 years in Avondale with a
full page spread in the Western
Leader, 25 November 1971. They had
a fleet of five cars, with the chapel
seating over 120 people, and off-street
parking for 50 cars.
1971
Jan Grefstad now president of ABA.
He echoed one of the main points
Charles Collier had earlier made in an
interview with the Western Leader in
1972, regarding the primary school in
the shopping centre area.
“Looking forward to 1972, I would like
to see for Avondale a better liaison
between the business community and
the Auckland City Council and a
completely united shopping centre.
The removal of Avondale Primary
131
School would make a far better
shopping complex as at present the
two ends are separated by it.”
He also expressed concerns with
Avondale teenagers.
“Teenagers have nothing else to do,
but hang around about the streets of
Avondale – there are not enough
recreational facilities here. There is not
enough supervision of the shopping
community at night either.” [Western
Leader, 6/1/72]
“I well remember being invited to an
ABA meeting in early 1972 where it
was reported that serious complaints
from many businessmen in Avondale
over street cleanliness had resulted
in a letter being sent to the mayor’s
office. This in turn was referred to
another department and nothing
happened.
“In support of the businessmen’s
claims, I recall that five years ago a
company, in which I am involved,
purchased the original Avondale store
which though nearly 100 years old [the
Page’s Building, then 66 years old –
note] has been progressively improved
according to a professionally set
scheme. A few days after purchase
(five years ago) a public telephone call
box outside the building was removed.
The footpath damage has never been
reinstated.
“Rubbish near the roundabout … lies
there for months. St Jude St and side
streets as businessmen see them are
not cleaned at all.” [Ian S. Clews, letter to
Western Leader, 23/3/73]
1973
ABA president Grefstad and Charles
Funnell comment to media:
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
“The council looks on Avondale as
the ugly duckling of its domain and
its treatment is like that of the
forgotten child,” says Mr Funnell.
Mr Grefstad said he felt there was an
urgent need for a Residents and
Ratepayers Association in
Avondale. “The people need an
official voice,” he said. [Western Leader,
13/3/1973]
Funnell received many phone calls
supporting the need for such an
association. [Western Leader, 22/3/1973].
Beautification: Council’s response
was to plant a number of potted trees
in the shopping centre, and reseal
parts of Gt North Rd. “The parks
department also hopes to erect a tree
in the roundabout so Avondale can
generally look forward to a new
image.” [Western Leader, 5/4/73]
Council: Auckland Mayor Sir Dove-
Meyer Robinson felt that the “people
of Avondale … had been misled by a
group of troublemakers about the
Auckland City Council’s intentions for
the area. These troublemakers have
led people to believe that we have
forgotten about them …” He would
address an ABA meeting on July 31
and make a full statement about
Council’s plans for Avondale. [Western
Leader, 12/7/73]
3 Guys supermarket: At the largest
ever meeting (to that date) of ABA, Mr
Albert Gubay advised of his plans for a
supermarket in Avondale. [Western
Leader, 22/5/73]. The supermarket was
built by 1975.
According to ABA Chairman Duncan
MacDonald in 2001, he believed that
initial plans put by Mr Gubay for the
site had the 3 Guys supermarket
situated to the rear of the site
(adjoining Suburbs Rugby grounds),
132
with car parking and then shops on
the Great North Road frontage. This
would have “linked up” the two halves
of the shopping centre with a line of
retail premises facing the school.
However, this was not to be.
“Angry Avondale residents and
shopkeepers are disgusted with the
“big ugly barn” appearance of the
intended Three Guys Supermarket.
“Shopkeeper Mr C Funnell thinks that
millionaire Albert Gubay’s store looks
‘like a prison’.
“He pointed out that … the Avondale
store with its white corrugated iron
appearance and no windows has no
redeeming features.” [Western Leader,
11///75]
Around this time Shoprite built their
new store on Racecourse Parade.
Finding 3 Guys right next door later,
they stayed for only a few more years
before closing down. The store then
became, in turn, Levenes,
MacDonalds Appliances, Fresh &
Fresh and King’s Mini-Supermarket.
The new Avondale Library was
completed and opened 18 September
1973, at a cost of $135,000, and an
area of 743 m2. [Oral History Photo
collection notes, 1991]
1974
Real estate agent John Stackpole
learned that his property at 1990 Great
North Rd is to be taken under Public
Works Act for the new Post Office.
“The land owned by Mr Stackpole is
41 perches with two street entrances –
from Great North Road and Geddes
Tce. It is one of the largest commercial
sites in Avondale and Mr Stackpole
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
has had architects draw up plans at
considerable cost to develop the site.
“’These plans are for a building to
include a trading bank and medical
centre,’ said Mr Stackpole. ‘It is not
just myself who is affected by this
decision, but five other major
concerns.’
“His property is a valuable commercial
site and the compensation figure
offered is ‘ridiculous’.” [Western Leader,
17/12/74]
In 1974, due to a five-fold increase in
new drivers licence testing in 1973, a
new testing office opened in the
Community Centre (Public Hall) on St
Georges Rd. This was replaced by a
western base established in Rosebank
Road at the once-turnaround area for
the trolley buses. The new base
included a parking warden. [Advance In
Order, Graham W. A. Bush, 1991]
1974-75
ABA in recess for more than 15
months.
“We have a ratepayer’s association
and a community committee (and the
promise of a businessmen’s
association). Are we interested in their
work and ready to support them with
their regular dealings with the council
and its departments?” [Dorothy Coup,
Western Leader, 13/5/75]
The Gt North Rd façade of 3Guys
supermarket attracts negative
comments [Western Leader¸14/1/75 &
11/3/75]. It further adds to the split in
two halves of the shopping centre.
On 27 March, 1975, B W Bullivant,
Senior Planner with Auckland City,
wrote a report to the Planning and
Redevelopment Committee about the
shopping centre.
He noted that the business community
felt that not only the Primary School
133
but the Racecourse was hampering
progress in the area. “ … it [the
racecourse] could have been partly
used for residential development,
contributing to the Avondale trade
area, and for recreation suitable to the
wider community interests. As it now
stands, they claim the race days do
not assist trade, merely hamper it
because of excessive traffic and
parking problems.”
The report also highlighted problems
within the Avondale Businessmen’s
association:
“The ABA has been plagued by
factions from its inception and
therefore, could seldom reach a
consensus on matters affecting the
whole centre. Each block of shops has
different interests because of its
location. Unfortunately, the physical
disunity of location and appearance in
the shopping centre has not been
overcome by the potential strength
and common approach this
organisation could impart. It appears
the organisation has disbanded.”
Traffic noise was another problem for
the centre:
“It is not pleasant to stand and chat
along the footpaths or to silently
browse around shop windows as
brakes screech and exhausts roar in
the background.”
“The Auckland City Council
approached the [Community]
committee and asked if members
thought the toilets [then located
behind the Hollywood] should be
renovated or replaced. After inspecting
the present ones, the committee
strongly recommended new toilets on
a more central site. Members hope
that new toilets will be built on the site
next to the Bank of New South Wales
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
[afterwards, Penny Lanes, then in turn
Pinky’s, a café, and (in 2002) a
chicken meat retailer].
They also recommended that this
building include a shopper’s crèche, a
room for mothers to breastfeed and
change their babies and facilities for
people in wheelchairs. Here’s hoping
the City Council will approve the
suggestions. [Dorothy Coup, Western
Leader, 3/6/75]
No. only the toilet block was built.,
which was to last until the winter of
2002.
“Last Tuesday night” a special meeting
of the ABA was held to reform the
association. Charles Funnell elected
president. More than 40 businessmen
and retailers present. “They agreed
the association should be both
progressive and active. We have
another special meeting planned for
next month and, meantime, three sub-
committees will be at work.” [Western
Leader, 9/9/75]
Avondale Market Day held, 26/9/75,
in conjunction with Spring Festival,
organised by ABA.
Avondale Shopping Centre has 152
businesses. [Shopping Centre Promotion,
Western Leader, 23/9/75]
In November 1975 the Bank of New
South Wales branch shifted to its
current site at 1977 Great North Road
In 1982 it became Westpac through a
merger with Commercial Bank of
Australia, and in 1996 WestpacTrust
through merger with Trust Bank. It is
now known simply as Westpac. [E-mail
from Pauline Porteous, Records and Archive
Manager, WestpacTrust, 27/3/01]
1976
Coopers supermarket and retail
complex was demolished, and the
134
Inner Circle Tavern built on the same
same site.
The former Morrison & Crawford
Service Station becomes known as
Curtis & Miller.
“In 1976, after forty-six years, the
Crawford family retired from the
operation of the service station,
leaving it in what have certainly proved
to be the capable hands of Pat Curtis
and Paul Miller. Sharing managerial,
mechanical and merchandising skills,
this partnership has built on the rock-
solid foundations that Mrs Crawford
had established. The keystone of the
business continues to be ‘service
second to none’, and Curtis and Miller
Ltd have certainly demonstrated that
you don’t frighten customers away by
ensuring that their motoring needs are
well satisfied.
“Looking at the service station today, a
flourishing, modern business, well
equipped for the eighties and beyond,
it is possible to surmise that Mr
Crawford would be well pleased by the
successive achievements of firstly Mrs
Vera Crawford and latterly, Pat Curtis
and Paul Miller.” [Mobil Happenings, in-
house magazine, 1982, from the Crawford
Collection, courtesy of Mrs V. Crawford]
According to Mrs Crawford, Curtis &
Miller had left the business by c.1985.
Avondale desperately short of off-
street parking, according to the ABA.
Alternatives were suggested to
Auckland City Council, but these
rejected. [Western Leader,6/7/76]
John Evans is now president of ABA.
“The basic aim of the ABA is that
shopping in Avondale should be fun,
convenient and inexpensive. To make
Avondale a fun place to shop is one of
the hardest goals to achieve. The
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
committee is constantly arranging and
helping to organize events in which
customers can participate, such as
competitions, market days, and the
festival which we are all part of at the
moment.” [Western Leader, 30/9/76]
The Salvation Army Hall was
demolished in 1976. Shortly after,
Tingeys built a shop on the old site,
and was later taken over by Guthrie
Bowron. By c.1988, Guthrie Bowron
sold the building to a video store
proprietor, who had started the Blue
Knight Video Store close to the billiard
saloon near the Post Office further
down Great North Road. In 2000, this
became Civic Video, part of the
national chain. [Conversation with Liz
Claude-Goldie, 16 July 2001]
Membership card, Blue Knight Video. From
author’s collection.
I remember another video rental store
located in what had been the old Self
Help / IGA store, at the corner of Great
North Road and Rosebank Road, in
the late 1980s. That was where I had
my first membership. It amazed me, at
the time, that movies could be rented
out and watched on a video player at
home (my mother and I had a rental
one) just as easily as borrowing books
from the local library. It was a novelty
which has still, to this day, not quite
worn off. That business was bought by
the proprietor of Blue Knight, and so I
was able to have my membership
transferred over.
135
1977
Charles Funnel re-elected as
president of ABA.
He opposed moving the Post Office
to the new site opposite the Inner
Circle tavern. “The Avondale business
community is disgusted that it cannot
get the Auckland City Council to do
anything unless a fuss is kicked up.”
[Western Leader, 22/3/77]
“A major study of the Avondale Centre
(by Council) was conducted in 1977
and the main problems appeared to be
at that time (a) traffic flow, (b) lack of a
decent supermarket, (c) lack of public
toilets and (d) the split in the middle of
the shopping centre.” [ABA Committee
minutes, 15/4/85]
1978
Funnell is re-elected for third term.
[Western Leader, 23/5/78]
Ash Street by-pass opened. I recall
seeing Charles Funnell standing
counting the traffic along Great North
Road when the by-pass opened. It
was supposed to stop the need for
heavy trucks coming through the
centre. It didn’t. In 2000 I found this
was because the new Whau Bridge at
Ash St/Rata St is believed to have a
load limit that many of the trucks
surpassed.
“The benefits are most noticeable in
Avondale where the narrow main
street was once continually choked
with cars. The traffic jams have
disappeared and it is actually possible
to get curb-side parking – once only a
shopper’s dream. The hoped for
increase in trade hasn’t eventuated
but businessmen are optimistic and
waiting for traffic patterns to settle.
Others have already noticed a
downturn in trade and those affected
are businesses relying on passing
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
trade and impulse buyers.” [Western
Leader, 10/10/78]
December: The Avondale
Community Committee organised a
fundraising festival to raise money for
an Avondale Community Centre
Incorporated Society.
“Festival Wash out.
“Avondale’s Christmas festival was ‘a
bit of a washout’ but the organizers
are hoping for a bigger and better
event next year.
“Mrs Fay O’Brien, who organized the
festival, says the parade was smaller
than expected but there was good
spectator response. The ethnic
performances planned at Avondale
Racecourse did not eventuate but the
raffles, sausage sizzles and side
shows raised about $700 towards the
building fund for a new community
centre.
“Rain put a halt to the quick fire raffles
and the prizes left over will be raffled
in Avondale’s main street at 7.30pm
this Thursday. The festival’s main aim
was to get the community working
towards the proposed new centre.
“We’ve been talking about this for 25
years but now a start has been made
we hope everyone will get behind the
venture,’ says Mrs O’Brien.
“We’re in the process of setting up an
incorporated society to oversee
fundraising and with the festival
proceeds in hand we’ll be well on our
way. The prize was offered by the
Avondale Businessmen Association.”
[Western Leader, 18/12/1978]
The Society was incorporated in 1979,
but it would be another 11 years
before a new Community Centre was
built, on Rosebank Road.
136
1979
Avondale Electrical & Appliance Ltd
(Laws Electrical) incorporated
17/10/79. The business left in the late
1990s. [Companies records, via Internet,
2001]
Rosebank Community House
Artwork by the author.
2 July 1979, Rosebank Community
House opened, at 97 Rosebank Road.
This had started as a weekly “Drop-in”
centre at Victoria Hall, further down
Rosebank Road in October 1977, set
up be three workers from the
Avondale Citizens Advice Bureau,
supported by Auckland City Council’s
Community Advisor for the area “as a
result of constant enquiries received at
the C.A.B. from people feeling lonely,
isolated and in fragmented family
situations living in the area. The Drop-
in’s grew steadily, and to meet the
various needs arising, small groups
would meet in members homes,
developing and sharing skills and
companionship. From this we formed
a committee to work towards
establishing a Community House.”
The first Community House Co-
ordinator was arranged by the
Community advisor through the
Temporary Employment Scheme of
the Department of Labour, “to act as a
liaison person between the House
Committee and various departments
(Justice Dept., Housing Corporation,
Auckland City Council etc.). The
appointment was from September
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
1978 to June 1979.” The Rosebank
Community House Society
incorporated on 23 November 1978.
After no success in securing a
Housing Corporation property further
down Rosebank Road (The
Corporation would often rent specific
houses to community groups at
“peppercorn” rates), the City Council
offered them the villa bought by the
Council back in the late 1940s, at 97
Rosebank Road.
“The house was an old villa-type
dwelling in a neglected run-down
condition, showed promise,
conveniently situated near transport,
shops and library. The members of the
group spent many hours scrubbing,
cleaning and making it a pleasant
place to receive people. A roster group
was formed, brief orientation course
given, and we opened on 2nd July
1979 – Monday to Friday – 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. daily.
“Our aim was [to] offer a low-key, non-
structured “drop-in” place for people to
meet, share their time and skills –
express their needs and interests, or
take a quiet respite while shopping.”
[Quotes from report by Marje Hughes, Co-
ordinator of Rosebank Community House,
February 1980]
I had a brief conversation with Elaine
Cole on October 6 1994. Mrs Cole,
along with Marje Hughes, Joseph
Pelham, Lois Hulme and Mattie
Fevalli, were among the original
organisers of the Orchard Street drop-
in centre. Mothers in the area felt a
need to have a place to get-together,
socialise, and have interests. Around
1973-74, the group gathered in the
Victoria Hall Church on Orchard
Street, and formed the drop-in centre.
Mrs Cole advised that the CAB hadn’t
formally helped, but Elizabeth
Campbell, a Bureau volunteer in the
137
late 1970s, came to help once the
centre was up and going.
1980
Rex Charlton is now president of ABA.
Regarding the move of the Post
Office: “Although the Association is
concerned about the move, no one
seems prepared to speak up on its
behalf. Opinions are so divided that it
seems one side of Avondale is fighting
against the other.” [Western Leader,
19/8/80]
1981-85
ABA in recess.
During this time, Lynnmall suffered a
downturn. Numerous businesses were
urged to take advantage of this.
1982
Avondale Plunket Clinic moved from
the cramped premises next to the
public toilets in Rosebank Road, to 99
Rosebank Road, one of the two
houses bought by Auckland City in
1948, and next door to the Rosebank
Community House. From now on, the
Plunket Clinic would be linked to this
site, and eventually gained rooms at
the Avondale Community Centre from
1990. [Report by Clinton Savage, Community
Advisor, to Acting Community Development
Officer, Auckland City, 21/9/88]
1984
The new Post Office at 1990 Great
North Rd is opened
At the official opening, 200 official
guests attended on the Avondale
Primary School grounds, entertained
by children of the school, before the
guests moved off and went to the new
building. [Ron Oates, Avondale Primary
School 1870-1990, 1990], plus personal
recollection.
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
New buildings for Social Welfare at
north-east end of the shopping centre
are completed (formerly site of derelict
building). In time, it would become just
Employment Services, then the
government departments moved out
completely, came back, and now have
moved into the first floor of the Steeles
factory building in Rosebank Road.
Currently, it is the base for the Deaf
Association.
On the 18th August 1984, St Ninians
Church closed its doors and ceased
to be a church, decommissioned by
the Avondale Union Parish. The fate of
the little church and its accompanying
cemetery had been cause for
controversy in the Avondale
Community since the early 1970s. The
large hall alongside had been destined
for Rosebank Primary as their hall, but
was destroyed by fire before it could
be removed. Mobil Oil bought all of the
site, including Great North Road
frontage, church building and
cemetery, and obtained town planning
permission from Auckland City for the
new service station in Great North
Road in return for agreeing to maintain
the exterior of the church building and
grounds for 20 years.
By 1989, Auckland City owned St
Ninians and the cemetery. The
wooden pews were removed and are
(at date of writing) located today in the
Catholic Church of the Order of St
Pius X in Avondale Road.
Late 1984, the Avondale Union Parish
demolished the 80 year old wooden
Methodist Church on Rosebank
Road, and built the Avondale Union
Parish Church Centre, also known as
the Nafanua Church and Hall. The
Ingram Windows from the front of St
Ninians were removed and placed in
the new Nafanua church building.
138
1985
Trevor Callaghan is now president of
ABA. His presidency was to provide
the only continuity for the Association,
in a period where it appeared the ABA
was a spent force.
A meeting was scheduled on 11
March at the Inner Circle Tavern
Lounge Bar to re-form ABA.
Secretary Dianne Wilson dubs the
ABA “The A Team”. There were only
11 members. “We have the obvious
aims of any association to brighten up
and generally promote the area as a
place to shop.” [Western Leader, 1/4/85]
Callaghan advised Auckland Mayor
Cath Tizard of the goals of the ABA –
“coordinating and uniting the members
of our business community” [1/4/85]
Council approve budget of $250,000
to be spent on street improvements
only: $100,000 of which in current
financial year. [ABA Committee minutes,
7/4/85]
N Rose now president of ABA [ABA
Committee minutes, 15/4/85]
Promotion:
Proposal by Dianne Wilson of Down to
Earth for “Saturday market day” in
Avondale [5/2/85]
“Best Mum in Avondale” promotion,
10/5/85.
Window spotting competition, August.
Christmas market days – street
promotions. [ABA Committee minutes,
18/11/85]
Moved taxi rank: The ABA is upset
because it feels that taxis making u-
turns in the street are potentially
dangerous, and that the new rank
takes up valuable parking space. The
incident caused a communication
breakdown (between ABA and
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990
Community Committee) and
Callaghan terms it “unfortunate”.
[Western Leader, 9/9/85]
Funding: ABA ran meat-pack raffles
raffles each Wednesday and Friday at
Inner Circle Tavern, Avondale.
Objectives (as detailed in letter to
Avondale Police) – “to improve the
amenities of the Avondale Community”
[Letter, 24/7/1985]
These raffles formed the bulk of
funding for ABA [ABA Committee minutes,
1/7/85].
1986-90
ABA in partial-recess.
During this period, Auckland City
amalgamations and Local Government
regulation brought the Avondale
Community Board into being (first
election in 1989). The Avondale
Residents and Ratepayers fades out,
as does Avondale Community
Committee (by mid 1990s.)
1986
Railway Station Building closes: the
railway station building built in the
1920s closes its doors to Avondale
customers for the last time on 26 June
1986. From then on, passengers had
to buy tickets from the guard on the
trains themselves.
“Project manager Bill Guest says the
station is being closed down to cut
costs. ‘We have been gradually
rationalising the network over a period
of time’ Mr Guest says maintenance
costs are very high for a building not
being used.” [Western Leader, 30 June
1986]
Promotion: ABA plans mini carnival
“Mini Fun Fare”, 22-24 December
1986.
139
c. 1986
Pages building put onto market for
$550,000 by partnership including Ian
Clew’s wife. It is sold to Robert Miles
and his partner, the company called
Westline Cars Ltd. Westline went into
receivership 1991, and the building is
sold again. [Recollection of Liz Claude-
Goldie, 2001]
1987
Clothing market at Jockey Club:
“We as the ABA objected strongly to a
huge clothing sale in May (March?) at
the Avondale Jockey Club. Our
president attended and we hope to
hear results soon. The person who is
running this outfit has 2 clothing shops
in Henderson and we feel he should
stay in his own backyard to sell. Our
clothing Retailers in Avondale pay
Rates, Rental etc., and adequately
provide similar garments to the people
of our area.” [ABA Committee minutes,
23/3/87]
Discussion in committee about
entrance sign to Avondale at Ash St-
Gt North Rd end. Dianne Magill & Don
Hawke combining to prepare design.
[ABA Committee minutes, 22/6/87] Council
later agreed to bear the cost [Letter,
15/10/1987].
1988
From ABA Newsletter, 22/8/1988:
“At the beginning of the year it was
decided that we would not be acting
as a promotional body for the area, but
would remain purely as a negotiating
group with the various organisations
that would improve the general
services and appearance of the
shopping area” – T Callaghan.
Around this time, Variety Gifts store is
demolished by owners of Avondale
 Heart of the Whau – part 5 – The Rise of the Shopping Mall 1960-1990

Spiders (the landlords). A smaller

shop opened by Clive Brown, and
named Starway Stationers after the
Starways Corporation he is involved
with (named, in turn, after the
racehorse Starway – according to Liz
Claude-Goldie’s memories). During its
time, Variety Gifts was the only shop
in Auckland stocking Catholic rosaries,
icons etc.

140