Ponsonby

Ponsonby is an inner-city suburb of Auckland City located 2 km west of the Auckland CBD, in the North Island of New Zealand. The suburb is oriented along a ridge running north-south, which is followed by the main street of the suburb, Ponsonby Road.A predominantly upper-middle class residential suburb, Ponsonby today is also known in Auckland for its dining and shopping establishments - many restaurants, cafes, art galleries, up-market shops and nightclubs are located along Ponsonby Road. Previously containing many rundown buildings, and having a somewhat 'colourful' reputation , the suburb has undergone extensive gentrification over the last two decades. Its postcode is 1011.The Maori name for the ridge is Te Rimu Tahi ('The Lone Rimu Tree', referring to an old prominent tree formerly standing at what is now the intersection of Ponsonby Road and Karangahape Road). According to the 2001 census, Ponsonby has a population of 5,697.

Statistical information gathered by Auckland City shows that generally speaking the Ponsonby area is one of: Originally a suburb for wealthy Aucklanders who favoured the harbour views available from the ridgeline, later residential subdivision off the main street began in the 1860s, with comparatively small lot sizes, and an influx of working people and their families. Many historic buildings, from shops to churches, were built in this time of the late 19th century, as was a tramline along Ponsonby Road. Ponsonby was amalgamated with Auckland City in 1882.