Port Albert, Rodney, Auckland, New Zealand

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Surnames/tags: Albertlanders New Zealand,Immigration Kaipara

Port Albert - Rodney, New Zealand

Port Albert is a settlement on the Kaipara Harbour, administered by the Rodney Local District Board, Auckland Region, New Zealand. Port Albert was first surveyed as part of the Otamatea Survey District, Kaipara District, New Zealand.

The Otmatea Survey District was subdivided into a number of Survey Blocks by the New Zealand Government, which were then advertised as suitable for settlement for enterprising groups who could recruit and organise suitable immigrants to settle and farm the land. These blocks were to be offered by ballot as a grant of 40 acres [16 hectares] each for a man and his wife, with 20 acres [8 hectares] for each child of between five and 18 years old, on condition that the settlers fenced and stocked their property, built a dwelling and lived on their land for five years. These conditions had to be met before legal title to the land would be granted to the settlers.

This opportunity to establish a non-conformist, Christian community appealed to the Rev. William Rawson Brame who sponsored the formation of the Albertland Special Settlement Association, in Birmingham, England in 1861. Expressions of interest in the Albertland Special Settlement was widely advertised for throughout the English Midlands. ^[1]

Of the Otamatea Survey District, the Oruawharo block on the Kaipara Harbour was selected, and the survey lines for a port settlement established, to be named Port Albert in honour of Queen Victoria's Consort, Prince Albert.

Port Albert Township in 1863

The first Albertland settlers arrive in Auckland from England on the 8th September 1862. The Matilda Wattenbach brought 352 Nonconformist, Protestant immigrants to Auckland; The Hanover brought a further 315 settlers a week later. More immigrant ships followed in the next few years. ^[2] Many chose to stay in Auckland, others went by various routes to land surveyed round the Arapaoa, Otamatea and Oruawharo Rivers.

Port Albert on the Kaipara harbour proved to be too isolated from the main centre of settlers in Auckland to be thrive commercially. Compounding their isolation was the settlement's situation on the dangerous west coast, making coastal traffic difficult at a time when road and rail links were not yet established. Their consequent isolation and the poor quality of the soil contributed to the failure of Port Albert to became a major city as first envisioned.

Population c. 2022 - 120 souls ^[3]

The Albertland Heritage Museum is beside the Memorial Park, Port Albert Rd, (SH 16) Wellsford.

Port Albert General Store includes a café and is said to offer very good fish and chips.

Port Albert Domain is on the Wellsford Valley Road, Port Albert - see also the Port Albert Hall and the Old Port Albert school

1. ↑ :The Albertlanders : Launching the Scheme : Heralds of the Morning Sun Under Southern Skies : The Vision and the Plan : Wonderful Enthusiasm in England - Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 138, 13 June 1925, Page 27 edited by Henry Brett
2. ↑ New Zealand History - First Albertland settlers arrive in Auckland
3. ↑ Wikipedia - Port Albert, New Zealand