Monte Cecilia Park

History of Monte Cecilia Park

Land and homestead at Monte Cecilia Park

Early history

Scientists believe the site's geology reflects the basaltic scoria tuff associated with the Three Kings volcano, one of the many volcanoes in the immediate area, which form part of the greater Auckland isthmus volcanic field. The site is also believed to have cultural significance to local iwi, as it is understood that the area once contained the Whataroa Pa.

The original 162ha property was purchased from Maori by early Auckland settler and land dealer William Hart in 1843. It was later sold to Thomas Russell in 1870, before James Williamson purchased it and built The Pah as a private home.

The Pah Homestead was built between 1877 and 1879 as Auckland businessman James Williamson's "gentleman's residence" and was one of the largest and finest homes in Auckland at that time. The tree-lined drive to Pah Road remains largely intact, although parts of it now run through private properties adjoining the proposed park. The grounds include some of the finest exotic trees in Auckland and there are views to the Manukau Harbour and to One Tree Hill.

The homestead itself remains largely as it was built, with almost all of its original door and window joinery, elaborate ceiling roses, parquet floors and marble fireplaces intact. It is better known today as the Monte Cecilia House and at various times has served as an orphanage, a novitiate house, boarding school and - more recently - to provide emergency housing.

After Williamson's death in 1888, the lavish establishment was taken over by the Bank of New Zealand and leased to the Anglican church. Later it was purchased by the Sisters of Mercy in 1913. More recently the Pah Homestead (also called Monte Cecilia House) has been used as a temporary residence for the homeless and new immigrants. This use has now been located to a new home in Mangere.

The Sisters of Mercy and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Henry William Cleary purchased the homestead, in 1913. Mother Cecilia Maher, together with seven other Sisters were the first religious women to arrive in New Zealand in April 1850 from Ireland. During its ownership by the Sisters of Mercy and later the Catholic Diocese, the house has served as an orphanage, novitiate house (for instructing novices to the Mercy Order), boarding school, and to provide emergency housing.

Surrounding the park are various established uses including Monte Cecilia Primary School, Franciscan's Friary, Marcellin College, Roskill Masonic Hospital, Liston Village including the historic Pah Stables.

A heritage conservation plan, an archaeological and geophysical assessment, a cultural heritage overview for Whataroa Pa, and a landscape history and tree assessment have been produced to help better understand the Maori and European heritage of the site including Pah homestead.

Land acquisition

In 1997, Auckland City was approached by a property owner about a potential 50 lot residential subdivision on the site. In 1998, Auckland City commissioned a feasibility study on acquisition options for a new public park in Hillsborough. The study identified a number of properties that would, collectively, create the nucleus of a mature public park. Meetings were subsequently held with the owners to describe the public park proposal, and ascertain their aspirations for the land.

In May 1998, Auckland City Council endorsed the concept of a premier park. Discussions regarding acquisition were held. By August 1998, significant progress had been made. Given the financial significance of these transactions, Auckland City published a notice of requirement for designation. This notice was published to ensure that a large area in multiple ownership could be acquired over time, and to ensure that the natural features of the site were protected from future development.

Significant progress has been made since the notice of requirement was lodged. The following table indicates completed acquisitions and the area acquired:

Date	Aquisition	Area
December 2000	Marcellin Hall (Marist Brothers)	1.65 ha
June 2001	Catholic Land (Catholic Diocese)	4.53 ha
June 2001	Masonics Land (Northern Masonic Association)	1.00 ha
September 2002	Pah Homestead (Catholic Diocese)	0.54 ha
December 2002	Marist Land (Marist Brothers)	4.33 ha
August 2006	20 and 22 Korma Road	0.23 ha
December 2007	24 Korma Road	0.13 ha
June 2008	595 Mt Albert Road	0.24 ha
	total	12.65 ha
+	Seymour Park (Gifted as reserve)	2.4 ha

Auckland City Council will continue to purchase land as it becomes available.

Naming the park

The process to find a name for the premier park in Hillsborough began in June 2004. The local and wider community was invited to participate in the naming process. Over 50 suggestions were received, and after a short-listing process, the public was then given the opportunity to vote for one of four preferred names. The most popular name was Monte Cecilia, receiving 54 per cent of votes.

The Recreation and Events Committee chose the name Monte Cecilia Park at their meeting on 2 September 2004 with the support of the public and the Mt Roskill Community Board.

The park was officially named and opened at a ceremony on 25 September 2004.

See below for more information about the history behind the name Monte Cecilia.

Monte Cecilia Park

The Sisters of Mercy and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Henry William Cleary purchased the homestead, in 1913. The founder of Sisters of Mercy Auckland community was Mother Mary Cecilia Maher. Mother Cecilia Maher, together with seven other Sisters were the first religious women to arrive in New Zealand in April 1850 from Ireland.
During its ownership by the Sisters of Mercy and later the Catholic Diocese, the house has served as an orphanage, novitiate house (for instructing novices to the Mercy Order), boarding school, and more recently to provide emergency housing.
The Catholic Church has been associated with the area for nearly 100 years (1913 - present day).

Updated August 2009