Hobsonville Church & Settlers' Cemetery

Hobsonville Church & Settlers' Cemetery 1875 heritage-listed Hobsonville Church and Settlers' Cemetery is lovingly maintained and protected by volunteers and descendants of the area’s early settlers.

Visitors are always welcome. Graveyard open dawn to dusk. Church building available for hire.

Hobsonville 1957.X marks location of the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery.Aerial photograph taken 10 Dec 1957 by ...
15/06/2026

Hobsonville 1957.

X marks location of the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery.

Aerial photograph taken 10 Dec 1957 by Whites Aviation.

National Library of New Zealand, Ref: WA‑29997‑F.
Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Looking back to June 2017, when the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery sat quietly without the construction that no...
15/06/2026

Looking back to June 2017, when the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery sat quietly without the construction that now surrounds it.

🌿 Family Story: The Bennetts of Hobsonville 🌿We’re sharing the story of William and Elizabeth Bennett, one of the early ...
14/06/2026

🌿 Family Story: The Bennetts of Hobsonville 🌿

We’re sharing the story of William and Elizabeth Bennett, one of the early families whose roots run deep through Hobsonville and Massey.

William and Elizabeth married in England and set sail for New Zealand in June 1874 aboard the Tweed, a ship described at the time as “very superior to the ordinary run of passenger vessels.” The journey was long and difficult - their infant daughter Elizabeth was one of eleven babies who sadly died during the voyage and was buried at sea 🩷

After arriving in Otago, the Bennetts welcomed their son Richard, followed by 11 more children - four daughters and eight sons, and maybe a birth with no name recorded.

In the 1880s the family moved north to Hobsonville, settling on land near Boyd’s Bridge at the head of the Waiarohia Creek.

All the children attended Hobsonville School, with the eldest appearing in the register in 1885.

In 1894 William purchased 70 acres on what is now the Royal Road / Don Buck Road corner. Their home once stood near where 16 Royal Road is today. A second house, built by their son Richard when he married Mary Ann Hyde Hutchinson in 1910, was at 44 Royal Road.

The Bennett children went on to connect with many other pioneering families.
• Joseph Bennett married Grace Nicholas of Lawsonville (Massey).
• Mabel Bennett married William Wallace Bridgford, linking the Bennetts to the Bridgford, Wallace, and Dunlop families.
• Charles and Beatrice Bennett married into the Cane family.
• Frederick Bennett married Ruby Holland, connecting the Bennetts to the Holland family.
Robert Holland established Robert Holland Pottery and Brickworks 1904-1909 at Limeburners Bay,

Many members of this family now rest in the Hobsonville Settlers’ Cemetery, including William and Elizabeth themselves in Row G, along with:
- son Alfred Frank Bennett aged 6
- son Thomas Bennett aged 21
- son Richard Bennett and his wife Mary Ann Hyde Hutchinson (her mother is Betsy ‘Bessie’ Sinton)
- daughter-in-law Mary Ann Hyde Hutchinson’s brother Noble Onslow Hutchinson
- son, Joseph Bennett
- daughter-in-law Nora Bennett, wife of son Charles James Bennett, in Row A, who died in childbirth aged 19 🥲
- daughter Mabel Bennett Bridgford and her husband William Wallace Bridgford, and his first wife Angeline Lewis
- grand-daughter Thora Beatrice Cane aged 11 1/2
- step-granddaughter Marjory Lovice Bridgford Dunlop
- F***y (aged 3) and Nellie (aged 14 months) Holland, the sisters of their daughter-in-law Ruby Elizabeth Holland who married their son Frederick William Bennett.

Acknowledgement:
BDM NZ DIA
Ancestry.com
Extract from 'Up the River' Stories of the Settlers of Hobsonville, compiled by Laurel V. North (January 2000)

🌿 Family Story: The Wilsons of Hobsonville 🌿Today we’re remembering the Wilson family, whose lives are closely woven int...
14/06/2026

🌿 Family Story: The Wilsons of Hobsonville 🌿

Today we’re remembering the Wilson family, whose lives are closely woven into the history of our community.

Edith Frances Wilson (née Roser, 1901-1995) lived to 94 and was the much‐loved wife of Robert John “John” Wilson (1901-1959).

The couple married in 1925 and raised two children - Joyce and Robbie.

Their daughter Margaret Mary Joyce “Joyce” Wilson married Murray Wallace Bridgford, a WWII veteran, and both are buried here in the graveyard.

Through Joyce, the Wilsons connect to other long‑standing Hobsonville families including Bridgford, Wallace, Bennett, Dunlop, Holland, Sinton, Hagan, and McRae, creating deep intergenerational links across the district.

Their son Robert John “Robbie” Wilson (1929–1942) sadly passed away at just 13 years and 9 months. Robbie rests here with us, and his headstone remains a tender reminder of a young life gone too soon.

The Wilson family story - and their many connections - reflects the strong roots and enduring relationships that shaped early Hobsonville. 🌼


Link to the Wilson family history we have collated here: drive.google.com/file/d/1Gaq8WnXlfSERtRPwJGb4A0xzrK8fOcuq/view

The June 2026 issue of The Westerly features a lovely article about the recent ceremony held at the Hobsonville Church &...
13/06/2026

The June 2026 issue of The Westerly features a lovely article about the recent ceremony held at the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery, where plaques were unveiled to acknowledge 21 newly rediscovered early‑settler graves.

A huge thank‑you to Hon Cameron Brewer MP and Uzra Casuri Balouch for their continued advocacy and support - it means so much to everyone involved in preserving this special place.

We were also honoured to have the Hobsonville School Kapa Haka group with us.

One of the most moving moments was watching the children gently place flowers on each of the newly identified graves - a beautiful gesture of remembrance.

You can read the full story in The Westerly here:

🌿 Community Update from the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery 🌿 The grounds are looking fantastic - a huge thank‑y...
13/06/2026

🌿 Community Update from the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery 🌿

The grounds are looking fantastic - a huge thank‑you as always to James Watson and the team from Express Lawn Mowing for keeping everything so beautifully maintained.

We’ve also added new camellias to soften the landscape around the new water tank on the fence line. These were supplied and planted by The Plant People, and we’re really pleased with how they’ve helped blend the area into the surroundings.

A big thanks as well to Kumeu Plumbing Kumeu Plumbing Ltd Business Page, who recently sorted out a blocked drain for us - great work from the team.

You’ll also notice building works underway on Scott Road opposite the church at Limeburners Bay. Sadly, the water view from that spot will soon disappear as development progresses, so we’re appreciating it while we still can.

As always, thank you to everyone in our community for your ongoing support in preserving and protecting the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery. Your care helps keep this special place thriving. 🌼

🌼 Remembering Little Elsie Olga Powell (1929–1929)Among the many stories held within the Hobsonville Settlers’ Cemetery ...
11/06/2026

🌼 Remembering Little Elsie Olga Powell (1929–1929)

Among the many stories held within the Hobsonville Settlers’ Cemetery is that of Elsie Olga Powell, a precious baby girl who lived for just 30 minutes in December 1929.

Elsie was the first child of Alice Maud Rosser and Frank Baden Powell of Riverhead. She was the first of what would become a family of eight children, and although her life was heartbreakingly short, she remains an important part of the Powell family story.

Alice and Frank married in 1929, welcomed Elsie soon after, and went on to raise a large family in the Riverhead community. Both parents later passed away - Alice in 1966 and Frank in 1973 - and are buried together in the Hamilton Cemetery.

Little Elsie rests here with us, a reminder of the many tender stories held within the graveyard and the generations of families who shaped our local history.

🌿 Gone too soon, but never forgotten.

A Story from the Hobsonville Settlers’ Cemetery: The Tomb of Emma CarderIf you’ve ever walked through the gates of the H...
07/06/2026

A Story from the Hobsonville Settlers’ Cemetery: The Tomb of Emma Carder

If you’ve ever walked through the gates of the Hobsonville Settlers’ Cemetery, you’ll have noticed the striking brick tomb on the left - the resting place of Emma Carder Vazey (1847–1883).

Originally topped with sea shells, Emma’s tomb has been carefully preserved by the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery Preservation Society, who added a protective concrete cover to ensure its long‑term stability.

Emma was the second daughter of early settlers Joshua and Hannah Carder, whose family story is woven throughout the graveyard.

Emma married George F. Vazey in 1874, and together they had five children before Emma sadly passed away in her early thirties. The children attended Hobsonville School.
Her tomb sits in Row A, closest to the entrance, marked:

“Sacred to the memory of EMMA, the beloved wife of George F. VAZEY, died Oct. 4th 1883 in her 33rd year.”

The Carder family’s presence is felt throughout the graveyard:

• Joshua and Hannah themselves rest in Row A, near the gates
• Their son George and his wife Ann are in Row B, nearest the church
• Their grandchildren Walter Amos Carder, Lucy Emma Buchanan and Alice Lindsay lie nearby
• Several Carder infants are buried here, though their exact locations are unknown
• The extended family - including the Lindsay, Harris, Ockleston, and Wiseley families - appear across Rows A, B, E, and L
• A memorial to Herbert Oscar Wiseley, killed in action at the Somme in 1916, stands in Row B

The Carders were one of Hobsonville’s foundational families, and their story is etched into the landscape of the church and graveyard.

Emma’s tomb is just one of the many reminders of the people who shaped this community.

If you’re visiting, take a moment to pause at her resting place - it’s a powerful link to Hobsonville’s earliest days.

Update from our excellent Upper Harbour Local Board member, Uzra Casuri Balouch - a strong advocate for protecting the H...
05/06/2026

Update from our excellent Upper Harbour Local Board member, Uzra Casuri Balouch - a strong advocate for protecting the Hobsonville Church & Settlers’ Cemetery.

Work is about to begin on the construction of a temporary road connecting Squadron Drive to Joshua Carder Drive.

Once this temporary access is in place, the Scott Road and Clark Road upgrades will commence.

These upcoming works include:
• The new shared walking and cycling path and parking improvements along Clark Road
• The shared path on Scott Road outside the Church

https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/squadron-drive-temporary-road

A huge thank‑you to Uzra Casuri Balouch for her continued support and advocacy for our heritage‑listed church and graveyard. Her commitment is helping ensure this special place remains accessible and protected for generations to come.

For 150 years, our Church has hosted weddings for local families, and we’re proud to remain a cherished part of Hobsonvi...
31/05/2026

For 150 years, our Church has hosted weddings for local families, and we’re proud to remain a cherished part of Hobsonville’s history.

Some years ago, Justin Broadhead, eldest son of Glenda Strawbridge, married Aimee Watson, daughter of Hazel Watson (née Holliday). Their families share deep and meaningful ties to our Church and graveyard.

Aimee’s aunt Gloria Holliday (1955-1961), and her grandmother Hilda Holliday (nee Phillips) (1932–2012) rest in our graveyard. Her grandfather Selwyn Lloyd Holliday (1927–2010) is buried at Waikumete Cemetery.

Selwyn’s parents are Samuel Holliday (1899-1956) and Hazel May Sinton (1899-1956). The Hollidays are cousins of the Anderson, Birch and Andrews families.

Justin’s grandmother, Sylvia ‘Gay’ Strawbridge (nee Williams) (1925-2014) is also buried here - making this a truly multi‑generational connection. Justin and Aimee now continue that legacy with their three children: Grayson, Frankie, and Blake.

For descendants of early settler families, the Church has long been a place where life’s milestones are celebrated, and many of those couples now rest in the graveyard surrounding it. Weddings and civil unions continue to be held here by people from across our community.

The Church remains a treasured part of Hobsonville’s heritage, and we are always delighted to share it with all who wish to celebrate their love here. We warmly welcome ceremonies from any, all, or no denomination, and couples are free to choose any celebrant - religious, non‑religious, or independent.

For more information, visit: www.hobsonvillechurch.co.nz/weddings/

Address

1 Scott Road, Hobsonville
Auckland
0618

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm
Saturday 7am - 7pm
Sunday 7am - 7pm

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