Clevedon Village Heritage Trail
Step back in time and explore the stories that shaped our village.
Beginning in the heart of Clevedon Village and winding past sites of historical significance, the trail shares both Māori and settler heritage, connecting the past with the present.
The information for each site has been thoughtfully prepared in collaboration with the Clevedon Districts Historical Society, drawing on ‘Voices of Belonging’ by Jessie Munro, ‘Yesteryears’ by F. Murray, and records from the McNicol Homestead Museum. Together, they tell the story of Clevedon and the people and places that made it the community we know today.
The History of Clevedon Village
"The history of Te Wairoa, which became Clevedon, starts with the waka Tainui, the evolution of Ngai Tai and neighbouring Ngati Paoa as two predominant iwi, and the inrush of settlers to create the family farms that would identify the district."
Jessie Munro, ‘Voices of Belonging’
Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki are acknowledged as being amongst the original inhabitants of Aotearoa and have a long and unbroken connection with Clevedon and the Wairoa Valley. Ngāi Tai lived at Whakakaiwhara (within the now Duder’s Regional Park) and in the Wairoa Valley for hundreds of years, building gardens and pā. Today, they are working to collate their history and we look forward to sharing more of their stories in the future.
Clevedon Village as we know it today, was established in the 1850s as ‘Wairoa’, then – to distinguish it from other Wairoas around New Zealand – ‘Wairoa South’.
The first permanent settlers to arrive were the McNicol family and George Hoye in 1853 and from 1854 the Crown began in earnest to establish rural settlers in the area with land advertised for sale by the Auckland Waste Lands Office. Settlers of predominantly Scottish and English origin made their way over land and up the Wairoa River to begin new lives, working hard to clear land, introduce stock, plant orchards, gardens and crops, build homes, construct countless miles of fencing, and – perhaps most importantly – to build a community.
By 1900 Clevedon Village was a bustling rural service village, supporting rural industry and civic life, replete with two churches and a school. The 1901 census records that the European population of the ‘Wairoa Riding’ had grown to 792 people – one of the most populous areas in the Manukau County.
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We gratefully acknowledge the Clevedon & Districts Historical Society Inc. for their generous guidance and for opening their photographic archives to help bring this project to life.
Special thanks to Jessie Munro, whose book ‘Voices of Belonging: A History of Clevedon–Te Wairoa’ (2016) gave voice to many of the stories told along this trail. Copies of ‘Voices of Belonging’ are available to borrow from Clevedon Village Library and to purchase from McNicol Homestead, a fitting home for such a treasure. (Please note that ‘VB’ is the abbreviation for quotes from this source.)
We also honour the late Fraser Murray, whose much-loved ‘Yesteryears’ columns in The Roundup captured the heart and humour of local life. His words remain a cherished thread in the fabric of our community’s story. ‘Yesteryears’ (2009) is also available in book form through the McNicol Homestead.
Finally, thank you to Clevedon photographer Donna Jepsen for her work to record these sites as they appear today (2026).
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“Voices of Belonging”, Jessie Munro. 2016. Available to view and purchase at McNicol Homestead and for loan from the Clevedon Rural Library.
“Yesteryears”, Fraser Murray. 2009. Available to view and purchase at McNicol Homestead.
Our website Clevedon.co.nz provides an extended overview of our local history.
The Archeology of Clevedon Village and Wairoa River Valley, Opus.
The History of Clevedon School
Ngai Tai ki Tamaki’s history is rich and detailed in a number of online records;
• “Our Stories” on the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki website
• Historical Account in Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki’s Deed of Settlement (refer section 2.0)
• This summary was produced by Ngai Tai ki Tamaki for Clevedon School 150 year anniversary.Photography:
The majority of heritage photographs featured on this website were supplied by the Clevedon and Districts Historical Society. Additional images were sourced from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection.
Explore the Trail
The Clevedon Village Heritage Trail begins and ends at Clevedon Village Reserve and guides you past 19 sites of historical significance. Along the way, you’ll encounter churches, bridges, quarries, scenic reserves, the wharf, and other landmarks that together share the story of Clevedon’s past.
Each stop is marked with a heritage trail sign displaying the site’s name and a QR code. Scan the code to access photos, stories, and key details about the site right from your phone.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to the local landholders and custodians of Clevedon’s heritage sites for their generosity in sharing access, knowledge, and historical insight. Their support has helped bring these stories to life and ensures the region’s rich history can continue to be appreciated by the wider community.
The Clevedon Village Heritage Trail is a living record but not a complete one. It honours the history we know but we also acknowledges the history we are still learning. We leave space for more stories and we welcome those who wish to share them.
