We want your stories!

Submissions are now open for the
West Auckland Heritage Conference.

The Waitākere Ranges Local Board is hosting the third West Auckland Heritage Conference on Sunday 7 October 2018 at Titirangi War Memorial Hall.

The theme for this year is: The Creative West. Submissions for stories close Saturday June 9.

We all know the Waitākere Ranges were an inspiration for many artists, from famous painters like Colin McCahon to creative groups like the Oratia Swing Kings. They also influenced contemporary arts, architecture and music. Let’s discover the threads that weave together the tapestry of our wonderful west heritage. The board invites authors, academics, genealogists, historians, or anyone who has done original research about the history of west Auckland to submit their work to be considered for inclusion in the day’s programme.

Research can be a work in progress. You don’t have to have completed it by the time of the conference. It could be an original research project, your book, or even your first-hand experience of an event. This one-day conference is part of the region-wide Auckland Heritage Festival.

West Auckland Heritage Conferences 2016 and 2017

The West Auckland Heritage Conference has become a day long tradition as part of Auckland Heritage Week. The inaugural conference in 2016 was themed New Stories of the Old West and was held at the War Memorial Hall in Titirangi. Last  year’s conferenced focussed on The People of the West at the Henderson Council Chambers. Most presentations from both days are available on this website.

The conference is a collaborative effort by many in the community and council, and is brought to you by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board.

2017 Conference

The second West Auckland Heritage Conference was held on 8 October 2017.

The theme was The People of the West.

Have a look at the programme, the presentations and some photos from the conference

Pre-war Karekare gang outside Annex to the Barracks, Karekare, late 1930s 

Left: Women fishing from wharf at Whatipu. 1941. Auckland Libraries. West Auckland Research Centre. J. T. Diamond Collection. JTD-06K-03148.

2016 Conference

The first West Auckland Heritage Conference was held on 2 October 2016.

The theme was New Stories of the Old West.

Have a look at the programme, and some photos and a video from last year.