Bayswater, New Zealand

Bayswater is a suburb located on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand. It lies on a peninsula which juts into the Waitemata Harbour. Politically the suburb is part of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and the North Shore ward of Auckland Council.

Demographics
Bayswater covers 1.10 km2 and had an estimated population of as of  with a population density of  people per km2.

Bayswater had a population of 2,865 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 42 people (1.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 222 people (8.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,038 households, comprising 1,365 males and 1,503 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.91 males per female. The median age was 37.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 564 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 669 (23.4%) aged 15 to 29, 1,281 (44.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 354 (12.4%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 80.6% European/Pākehā, 11.7% Māori, 6.3% Pacific peoples, 10.3% Asian, and 3.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 32.5, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.6% had no religion, 32.9% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.7% were Muslim, 1.0% were Buddhist and 2.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 783 (34.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 222 (9.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $43,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 684 people (29.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,257 (54.6%) people were employed full-time, 315 (13.7%) were part-time, and 72 (3.1%) were unemployed.

History
Bayswater was originally named O'Neill's Point after the first European settlers in the area, brothers Allan and James O'Neill. Originally settling at the point (which still bears their name) at the end of the peninsula in the 1840s, by the 1850s the O'Neill's owned much of the peninsula. The name is a descriptive one.

O'Neill's Point Cemetery
O'Neill’s Point Cemetery is located at 122 Bayswater Avenue. It was opened in 1891 and named after Alan and James O'Neill. The cemetery contains the official war graves of 41 men who served in the New Zealand forces and one man who served with the UK forces during World War I and who died before September 1, 1921. A number of World War I graves (returned soldiers and soldiers who died of the flu and other causes at the nearby Narrow Neck army camp) can be found here.

Takapuna Boating Club
opened in 1923 this notable building was the clubhouse for the Takapuna Boating Club until they relocated to Takapuna Beach in the 1970s.

St Michael's and All Angels Church
In 1910, the Anglican church of St. Michael and All Angels was moved to Bayswater from its original position on Church Street, Devonport, where Holy Trinity Church now stands. The church was dedicated in 1865. It took the place of the first St. Michael's church, which was also constructed in 1865 but was destroyed by fire in 1908.

In 2011 the church was deconsecrated and in 2013 it was repurposed as a martial arts studio.

Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Company Ltd
The company ran steam trams from the ferry terminal in Bayswater to Takapuna.

Environment


To the north of Bayswater, Shoal Bay is a DoC high priority site of special wildlife interest, SSWI, because of its significance for wading birds.

Many shore birds graze in this significant estuary.

Every year, the bar-tailed godwit migrates from Alaska to New Zealand. About 200 come to the Shoal Bay estuary in March to feed, relax, and then return.

Shoal Bay is also home to the New Zealand Dotterel, which builds its nests above high tide and descends to the estuary at low tide to forage.

Education
Bayswater School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1–6) school with a roll of as of  The school celebrated its 50th Jubilee in 2003. Yachtsman Peter Blake was an alumnus of the school.

Sport
Bayswater Park, community football pitches. The park, along with Stanley Bay Park, is home to North Shore United AFC.

Belmont Park Racquets Club, Established in 1935 the club provides tennis and squash courts.

Belmont Park Bowling Club, crown green bowling.

Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club have their boathouse at Bayswater Marina.