Welcome to the website of

Blockhouse Bay Historical Society

We aim to discover and preserve the rich history of Blockhouse Bay, one of the innermost suburbs on the shores of the Manukau Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand. Look at our Diary for the dates of meetings and special events.

The Blockhouse Bay Historical Society Incorporated was formed in 1998 to record and preserve the fascinating history of the area. Since then interest in the Society has intensified, the membership has grown and a great deal of valuable material secured.


Can you help us in our continuing efforts to discover and preserve our rich & varied history?

We are keen to see your special photos of people, places, homes, buildings and events in Blockhouse Bay. Also, invaluable are newspaper cuttings, articles and documents. Oral histories are equally important. If you have any stories or anecdotes from the ‘Old Days’ and even ‘Not So Old Days’, we would love to hear from you.


Searching our articles by Location

If you would like to know something about a particular location try clicking on a blue marker on the map below and then click on the link provided

A Selection of our latest articles

Newsletter December 2023 Issue 116

By BBHS on 1 December, 2023

Reflecting upon the past few ‘not at all what we expected’ years: Cyclone Gabrielle, January - March flooding, White Island eruption, Anzac Day 2020 & Covid-19 Looking back on the recent Heritage Festival 2023: Wedding & the Ever After’s photo exhibition at Armanasco House. Images of members: Sheila Sekula, Angela Grace-Jones, Anne Bell & Eileen Rusden Leaving a legacy of local history. In August this year, Blockhouse Bay lost a local legend: Keith Rusden A quiet achiever whose creativity and knowledge enriched the lives of so many.

Continue reading

LYNNMALL SHOPPING CENTRE’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

on 6 November, 2023

copywrite unknown Karla Robertson will be sharing images & stories from 1963 - 2023 celebrating Lynnmall Shopping Centre’s 60th Anniversary

Continue reading

Newsletter October 2023 Issue 115

By BBHS on 1 October, 2023

Sneak peek at a tiny part of what’s in store for you at the Heritage Festival 2023: Wedding & the Ever After’s photo exhibition at Armanasco House. WWII Wedding in the Bay article by Mavis Jones Marriage a little give and take - Central Leader article Jun 2008 Patience key to long union - Western Leader article Jun 2012 Wedding of Victor Armanasco & Edith O’Brien Click here to view the newsletter

Continue reading

Weddings and the Ever Afters

By Krystene Vickers on 26 September, 2023

In collaboration with the Blockhouse Bay Library, the Blockhouse Bay Historical Society presents a dual exhibition of wedding images, stories and memorabilia through time. Both venues are located in the Gittos Domain and we encourage everyone to view these complimentary exhibitions in tandem. There will be a wide variety of images across differing era’s, many sourced from the community as well as our extensive archives. Together, we celebrate the history of love in the Bay.

Continue reading

Our Sponsors