About us

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.

The Society plays an active role in the Blockhouse Bay community by participating in market days, holding photographic displays, providing regular articles in the local paper, and giving talks at the local library.

Every Tuesday, from 10am - 2pm Armanasco House is open to the public, with our members on hand to guide you through the wealth of local history we have on display there. If you arrive between 10 - 11am, feel free to join us for a chat over morning tea.

Meetings are held every second month at the Blockhouse Bay Community Centre (see Diary) where after 5 - 10mins of formal business, we are entertained by a variety of guest speakers, followed by a complimentary afternoon tea. This provides a great opportunity to get to know others and learn a little more about our community’s heritage.

New members are always very welcome and can be as active or not, as they wish. Some members are developing projects on aspects of our past, some are collecting images & stories of the bay as it is now for future generations to look back on, while others simply come to meetings to learn more about the community they call home. Either way, everyone is always welcome.

Our Team 2023–2024

Our efforts are greatly enriched by the following non-committee members who assist us:

• Archivist - Diane Laffoley
• Newsletter Editor - Ginette Adams
• Newsletter Emails - Hetty Goodwin
• Newsletter Design & Print - Neil Rusden

Corporate Members 2023–2024

The Society would like to thank the following companies and businesses who have shown their ongoing support as Corporate Members:

• Shirley Browne - Shirley’s Apparel - 561 Blockhouse Bay Road.
• Cullen Szeto - Visique Blockhouse Bay Optometrists - 1/1 Donovan Street
• Dr P Raymond - Blockhouse Bay Dental Centre - 3A Heaphy Street
• Dr Gary Collinson - Healthpoint - 1 Mccrae Way, New Lynn

We thank them for their ongoing support and commitment.

Awards

The Society received a Good Citizen Award in 2007 for services rendered to the community, in recording and preserving our local history.

The ceremony was held on 27th June 2007. The Award was presented by the Chair of the Avondale Community Board, Lorraine Wilson, to the following representatives on behalf of the entire Blockhouse Bay Historical Society. Pictured from left: Pam Harpham (secretary), Barbara Hyde, Russell Hyde, Eileen Rusden, Yvonne Dabb, Keith Rusden (Chairperson), Bill Glen (researcher) with Lorraine Wilson.