| Browns Bay | |
|---|---|
Browns Bay and the beach from above. |
|
| Basic information | |
| Local authority | Auckland City |
| Electoral ward | North Shore |
| Population | 3,978 (2006) |
| Facilities | |
| Surrounds | |
| North | Waiake |
| Northeast | (Hauraki Gulf) |
| East | (Hauraki Gulf) |
| Southeast | (Hauraki Gulf) |
| South | Rothesay Bay |
| Southwest | Murrays Bay |
| West | Northcross |
| Northwest | Torbay Heights |
Browns Bay is an Auckland suburb. It is one of the East Coast Bays suburbs, and is well known for its shops and beaches.
Browns Bay is under the local governance of the Auckland Council, and is located in the North Shore ward of the new Auckland city, one of the thirteen newly amalgamated administrative areas.
The population was 3,978 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 282 from 2001.[1]
Browns Bay is well known for its sizeable South African and British communities. There is an annual African festival held there every March as well as Afrikaans churches and community centres, plus South African shops such as Janssen's deli that sell a wide range of products such as boerewors, biltong etc. Consequently, Browns Bay is sometimes known as "Little Bloemfontein". For the British, there is Speaker's Corner, one of Auckland's iconic English pubs, as well as Bramptin's - a grocery store selling only British imported wares. In the center of the main shopping street (Clyde Road) is a small mall, at the non-beach end of which is a small outdoor stage, which anyone may use - given enough prior warning - and entertain the populace at any time of the week. At the other end is a boardwalk which runs the full length of the beach. The beach front has a skateboard park which is well used by the young population, a play area and a Boules court, which is used every Sunday afternoon. The Returned Services Association is represented by one of the finest in New Zealand, in Bute Road, (off Clyde Road), with entertainment every Friday and Saturday, and the bar and restaurant open most days.
In April 2007, North Shore City Council announced that they would not fund a ferry terminal in Browns Bay.
Browns Bay School is a contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a decile rating of 10 and a roll of 493.[2] The school was established in 1888.[3]
The Corelli School of the Arts is a composite (years 1-13) school with a roll of 78.[4] It is a private school which runs specialist programs in visual arts, music, drama and dance as well as the general curriculum.[5]
Both schools are coeducational.