Locality Information

Karaka is a well-known small rural area 37kms south of Auckland’s CBD. Formerly part of Franklin District and under the authority of the Franklin District Council, it is now part of Auckland Council (under the Franklin Local Board) following the amalgamation of the Auckland region’s councils. Karaka consist of established and architecturally designed properties and farms.

Karaka is now primarily a rural town associated with thoroughbred horse studs, dairy farming and sheep farming. Karaka is the location of the thoroughbred yearling sales at New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sales Complex. Westbury Stud and Haunui Farm are both located in Karaka.

Traditionally the economy of Karaka was dominated by agriculture. However, following the transition to lifestyle blocks, the majority of residents now commute to urban Auckland for employment.

Karaka Harbourside & Karaka Lakes are located just minutes from the Southern Motorway, offering walkways around the lake and inlet, with children’s playgrounds and local shopping complex on Hingaia Road. A sought-after location that is continually growing, providing more facilities to local residents.

Exciting times ahead in Franklin with the Karaka Hotel off and running! NZ Bloodstock has begun constructing a new hotel conveniently located at Karaka, just 30 minutes’ drive south of Auckland City and 20 minutes from Auckland Airport. Hilton, the leading global hotel company, will manage the hotel under their ‘Double Tree by Hilton’ brand. Double Tree by Hilton Karaka will be the first and only hotel in the Papakura-Franklin area, offering 120 stylish guest rooms (including four suites), a restaurant and bar, along with conference facilities – all set amongst the picturesque Sales Centre at Karaka. The project is due for completion in January 2021.

New Zealand Hothouse formally Karaka Pack House (KPH), are the market leaders in hothouse produce, NZ Hothouse has grown, packed and marketed New Zealand’s freshest and most flavoursome produce for over 30 years. Today, the NZ Hothouse Group of companies employs more than 350 people in their growing, marketing and logistics divisions.

Attractions:

Spookers Haunted Attraction is located just west of Karaka in Kingseat, a small rural community just 15 minutes from the Southern Motorway. Formally Kingseat Psychiatric Hospital, the hospital was turned into Spookers in 2005.
833 Kingseat Road, Kingseat | 09 291 9002

New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sales Complex is the focal point of the New Zealand thoroughbred industry since 1927 and the source of racetrack legends.
10 Hinau Road, Karaka | 09 298 0055

Facilities & Venues:

Karaka Country Retreat
209 Karaka North Road, Karaka | 09 292 7510

Karaka Rural Retreat
151 Whangapouri Road, Karaka | 027 222 7347

Te Hihi Estate
435 Batty Road, Karaka | 0800 435 688

Pukekohe Golf Course
654 Karaka Road, Karaka | 09 294 8822

St Margaret’s Café & Garden
6 Dyke Road, Karaka | 09 292 7536

Restaurants & Cafes:

Karaka has many restaurants and cafes including:

Urban Soul
71 Hingaia Road, Karaka | 09 216 7973

Karaka Chocolate House
128 Hingaia Road, Karaka | 09 296 1222

Riverside Café
322 Hingaia Road, Karaka

Karaka General Store & Café
257 Linwood Road, Karaka | 09 291 9303

St Margaret’s Café & Garden
6 Dyke Road, Karaka | 09 292 7536

Paddock to Pantry
Corner of Linwood and Blackbridge Roads, Karaka | 09 291 9364

Red Shed Palazzo
64 Jesmond Road, Karaka | 09 294 6687

Transport:

Buses run from the Papakura Train Station to Karaka Harbourside, Waiuku, Kingseat via Linwood Road. Buses also run to Pukekohe via Karaka Road (SH22).

Trains Stations are located in the nearby towns of Papakura and Pukekohe and run to the City Centre via the Southern Line (Pukekohe to Britomart) & Eastern Line (Manukau to Britomart). Trains also run from the City Centre to Onehunga and Swanson (Western Line).

North and South Motorway Access is less then 15 minutes wherever you are in Karaka via Papakura Entry/Exit 458 and Drury Entry/Exit 461.

Community & Sport:

Karaka Community Event Centre (Karaka Sports Park) provides a local sports ground as well as bar and kitchen facilities. Rugby, Tennis, Cricket, Netball, Touch, Indoor & Outdoor Bowls, Pilates
372 Blackbridge Road, Karaka | 09 292 7588

Karaka War Memorial Hall
319 Linwood Road, Karaka | 09 292 7747

The Pukekohe Golf Club
654 Karaka Road, Karaka | 09 294 8822

Summerset Karaka Retirement Village
49 Pararekau Road, Karaka | 09 951 8900

Pre Schools & Play Centres:

Karaka Learning Centre
113 Harbourside Drive, Karaka | 09 298 4199

Best Start Karaka
71 Hingaia Road, Karaka | 09 296 2937

ACG Strathallan
50 Hayfield Way, Karaka | 09 295 0830

Karaka Play Centre
299 Linwood Road, Karaka | 09 292 7675

Primary Schools:

Karaka has three public schools and one private school;

Karaka School (Years 0 – 8) Decile 9
12 Blackbridge Road, Karaka | 09 294 8166

Hinagia Peninsula School (Years 0 – 8) Decile 10
171 Hingaia Road | 09 299 3628

Te Hihi School (Years 0 – 8) Decile 9
Corner of Batty and Linwood Roads, Karaka | 09 292 7706

ACG Strathallan (Years 0 – 8)
50 Hayfield Way, Karaka | 09 295 0830

Secondary Schools:

Karaka only has one private coeducational secondary school;

ACG Strathallan (Years 9 – 13)
50 Hayfield Way, Karaka | 09 295 0830

Public secondary schools are provided in the nearby towns of Papakura and Pukekohe;

Rosehill College (Years 9 – 13) Decile 5
5 Edinburgh Ave, Papakura | 09 295 0661

Pukekohe High School (Years 9 – 13) Decile 6
Harris Street, Pukekohe | 09 237 0117

Hinagia Shopping Complex includes:
71 – 75 Hingaia Road, Karaka

Urban Soul Restaurant and Bar | 09 216 7973

Physio Mechanics | 09 296 7677

LJ Hooker Karaka | 09 869 2969

Karaka Medical Specialist | 09 267 3335

F45 Fitness | 027 959 2676

Palmer Theron Solicitors | 09 296 8448

Karaka Family Heath Centre | 09 282 5999

Unichem Pharmacy | 09 869 3346

Bloom Skin & Beauty Boutique | 0800 256 666

Karaka Orthodontist | 09 869 5158

One Staff | 09 265 0457

Sushi wa Kim Chef | 09 299 7115

Flame Pizza | 09 218 7961

Stoneybridge Market | 09 299 3434

Karaka Convenience Store | 09 218 9607

Soul Flower | 09 296 1110

Karaka Fine Wine & Sprits | 09 218 9117

DBK Design By Knightsbridge Hair Design | 09 299 6540

Travel Associates | 0800 486 779

Lins Acupuncture and Wellness Centre | 09 962 5170

Dentspa Karaka (Dentist) | 09 869 9773

Small Business Accounting (SBA) | 09 296 0472

Little Oak Bakery | 09 298 9154

Franklin Vets | 09 298 7043

Best Start, Child Care Centre | 09 296 2937