KEY POINTS:
Including Lincoln, Sunnyvale and Henderson Valley.
Henderson is heartland West Auckland, and the thriving cosmopolitan CBD of Waitakere City.
Progress on many fronts makes it the envy of other big centres. There's a new civic centre and a "Baby Britomart" transport centre underway. The overhauled Waitakere Hospital, on Lincoln Rd, has been named one of this country's most advanced green buildings.
There's a Henderson Vineyards Business Campus planned for central Lincoln, and Mayor Bob Harvey plans to make Henderson the Hollywood of the South Pacific. The old apple coolstore which was converted to a film facility in 2002 is pretty well booked solid for film and TV productions.
Henderson was where Yugoslav migrants brought their skills as orchardists and viticulturalists.
There are still strong multi-generational links throughout Henderson. Children are born and schooled here and if they do move away, they'll often be drawn back to its lifestyle, schools and amenities to raise their own children.
This is largely solid working-class territory, with some more moneyed folk in the more upmarket Henderson Heights.
Henderson's houses are synonymous with the famous ``Dally palaces'' built by Croatian migrants from Dalmatia during the 1970s. They were big with white wrought-iron balustrades and orderly rose gardens on generous 700sq m sections.
Brick continues to be the cladding material of choice, as the developers who've moved into the old vineyards and orchards have created enclaves of prestigious brick homes.
Amenities
The WestCity mall in the heart of Henderson's busy shopping precinct has grown in size and sophistication. Lincoln Rd has several retail centres, boasting just about every big-name store.
Waitakere Central Civic Centre is the council's shiny new eco-friendly home, on Henderson Valley Rd. With features such as a green (planted) roof to help reduce stormwater and improve insulation, solar water heating, rainwater for flushing toilets and high levels of natural light, this building is a flagship for Waitakere's eco-ideals.
The new Henderson library is very user-friendly and open long hours. It's a joint project between Unitec and the Waitakere City Council.
At the city end of Henderson Valley Rd, Opanuku Reserve offers a restful playground area for weary parents.
The 7.2ha Kiwi Valley complex in Henderson Valley Rd includes farm tours and an equestrian centre. The West Wave Aquatic Centre is in the heart of Henderson. The new Waitakere Trusts Stadium is located on Central Park Dr. The Corban Estate Arts Centre operates in historic winery buildings, and has 15 working studios.
Trends
Although Henderson is still affordable compared to much of Auckland, things are hotting up. Developments such as the Unitec campus drive prices up. Anything in the mid- to high-$200,000s is hotly contested by investors, families and first-home owners.
Henderson Valley is great for those who want a country lifestyle near town.
Best Streets
Burgundy Park Ave in Henderson Heights, Frank Evans Pl in Henderson.
