The Near West: A History of Grey Lynn, Arch Hill and Westmere

The Auckland neighbourhood of Grey Lynn has near legendary status. Sometimes referred to as ’ The People’s Republic of Grey Lynn’, history is everywhere here despite its recent gentrification. From the eeling ground of mana whenua and its colonial carve-up into farmland, to the gradual progression of residential development through Victorian and Edwardian times and beyond, early industry, the rough and tumble of left-wing politics, the wave of post war migrants from rural Maori communities and the Pacific, the boho scene of artists, filmmakers, writers, journalists, musicians, the students and the safe haven it has always been for the queer community . . . there is probably no other New Zealand neighbourhood quite as fascinating. This comprehensive, engaging and richly illustrated history of Grey Lynn and its neighbours Arch Hill and Westmere surveys it all.

Tania Mace is a freelance historian with a Master of Arts with honours in history. For more than two decades she has worked in the heritage field, researching and writing histories of buildings and places. Her first book was a history of St James Kindergarten (now known as Grey Lynn Kindergarten), written for the centenary in 2013. She has lived in Grey Lynn for more than 30 years.