About the Papatoetoe Community
Papatoetoe was settled very early on in New Zealand's history and was an important stop on the route between North and South. Once described as 'the Epsom of the South' due to the many wealthy farmers who retired there, Papatoetoe is home to some beautiful villas and bungalows as well as the tree lined streets of the sought after 'Golden Circle'.
In the fifties and sixties,more housing was developed to accommodate the predominately middle-class retirees and the suburb remains popular with this demographic.
In recent years, our 'new Kiwis' have also discovered the secret that is Papatoetoe - such a fantastic place to live. Flat easy streets, 2 shopping centres, every major bank, as well as convenient access to the hospital, airport, MIT, and both motorways.
Papatoetoe offers many outstanding facilities such as sports grounds, a modern swimming complex, churches, mosques, theatre, clubs, great schools and rest homes. Not to be forgotten are two of New Zealand's best know golf clubs - The Grange which borders the Papatoetoe, and the nearby Auckland Club next to Otahuhu's Kings' College.
Eating
Ethnically diverse Papatoetoe offers a wide range of small, very affordable restaurants providing mouth watering foods from many countries. There are also the Clubrooms, the Cosmopolitan Club and the RSA.
Being so central, many people will also go to Manukau City, Sylvia Park or Botany for an evening out.
Shopping
Hunters Plaza is a great place to shop with underground parking a huge bonus. Major shops such as Foodtown and K Mart complement the smaller specialty shops, and foodhall.
'Old Pap' as it is know to the locals, has a colourful mix of shops, plus a large New World, and banks.
The two shopping centres are located at either end of Kolmar Road, and the streets on each side are known as the Golden Circle.
Transport
Papatoetoe is served by both the South-Western and the Southern motorways. Buses also go into the CBD, Newmarket, and to Manukau City. Sylvia Park can be reached by train from the Papatoetoe railway station.
There is also a daily bus service which takes children to private schools if they choose to school out of area.