HELENSVILLE
Helensville is sited 40 kilometres northwest of Auckland, close to the
southern extremity of the Kaipara Harbour.
From a geographic perspective Helensville is closer to Auckland than
Orewa, but whereas Orewa is considered a dormitory suburb, Helensville
is a country town out west. That said the towns future is very good.
Helensville is being discovered.
Helensville is an old town
whose proud history is now coming through, there are many turn of the
century buildings in Helensville that now carry trust protection.

The Kaipara
River runs through the town and into the Kaipara Harbour to the north.
The population
was 2,600 and growing and there is a strong sense of community.
Over recent
years, from an economic perspective has not matched the rest of the
country. This now changing and many positive signs are emerging.
Helensville is
also the name of the electorate where John Key is both the sitting
member and Prime Minister.
The first
European settlers in the district were Scottish timber millers. The
initial development of the town was around the kauri milling industry,
but by the start of the 20th century dairying was becoming of
increasing importance.
It was also
becoming somewhat of a tourist centre, owing to the presence of hot
springs 3 km to the west of the town at Parakai.
The pioneer museum takes you back in time, housed in an historical
cottage, the old Helensville Schoolhouse and the old Helensville
Courthouse on the River Reserve, at the southern entrance to the town.
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