"Titirangi, probably Auckland's most beautiful suburb and on the edge of the dramatic Waitakere Ranges, is truly 'the fringe of heaven'. The name incorporates the Maori word for sky and alludes to the God Rangi. It was here about 1750, on Titirangi's southern and western flanks, that the heroic struggle occurred that saw Ngati Whatua wrest control of Tamaki Macau-rau (Auckland) from the incumbent Waiohua".
quote: Titirangi Fringe of Heaven by Marc Bonny.
There are several funky eateries, the most famous being Hardware Cafe, which also has The Tool Room basement for jazz and blues evenings. Then there is Lopdell House, a large imposing building with historical significance, (once a hotel, then a school for the deaf in 1942, then a teachers' in-service training centre from the 60's - 80's) and now hosts The Regional Art Gallery, an exhibition centre and the Titirangi Community Arts Council. There is also a theatre.
Titirangi has a well-appointed library, post shop, pharmacy, heath shop, florist, wine and spirits store, hairdressers, estate agents, legal and accounting businesses, book and craft shops. There's a supermarket, bakery, dairy and several take-aways. One can eat Indian, Turkish, Chinese and local cuisine.
Titirangi has a bowling green and RSA centre for the oldies, its own fire station, several churches, a Buddhist Centre, medical, dental and veterinary facilities, schools and kindies, and of course a fishing club and a yacht club. It also boasts some gorgeous little bays such as French Bay.
It is a centre that offers a host of alternate modalities and happenings - including Thai Chi, Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, meditation, intuitive readings, acupuncture, naturopath and osteopathy, beauty therapists and dietitians, due to the creative community which abound. It's also the gateway to great golf courses, tennis clubs, bush running, wonderful hiking/tramping and nature reserves and is a pet friendly area, being close to pony clubs and farmlands.
The monthly market on the last Sunday of the month is one of the attractions which gets a host of visitors pouring in to the village. The pics below tell a story in themselves. It's a meeting place of creative souls and the plethora of vibrant colours, textures and shapes, the decadent flavours, tantalising odours and pleasurable sounds are a sensory delight. The inspiration is infectious.....
'Thanks Katy! That was great fun shopping at the Market together. Let's do it again some time!'
'Every dog has his day at The Titirangi Market'....
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