Leigh Visitor Information
Facilities in & Around Leigh
Travelling to & Around Leigh
Access from the north is varied: One turnoff is at Waipu which follows the coast to Mangawhai then through Tomarata and Pakiri to Leigh. An alternative is to turn off at the northern end of Wellsford at Matheson Road and follow the signs to Pakiri and Leigh. There are some unsealed sections on both these routes. Or you can continue on SH1 to Warkworth, turn left at the second set of traffic lights and follow the Goat Island Marine Reserve signs to Leigh.
Transport:
- There are regular buses to Warkworth and from there to Matakana. Plan your journey www.at.govt.nz/journeyplanner or phone 0800 10 30 80 for more information.
- Also check out Mahu City Express and the Matakana Explorer bus. www.mahucityexpress.co.nz/matakana-explorer-bus/
- Intercity buses also pass Warkworth daily.
- Local taxi services include Matakabs www.matakabs.co.nz or Warkworth taxis www.warkworthtaxiandbus.co.nz
Emergency Numbers
ATM/EFTPOS
Population
Interesting Fact: After English, the next most common language spoken was French which was spoken by 2.4% of the population.
Toilets

Toilet at Leigh Wharf
Matakana Cinemas
Boat Ramps
Wharfs
Wharfs in the area include Leigh Harbour, Ti Point, Omaha and Big Omaha. If you are fishing off one of the wharf, remember to pull your fishing lines in when boats move alongside.
Lookouts & Seats

Sit and enjoy the views
Leigh Library
The Leigh Library was set up in 1870 in a private home before being moved in 1880 to the Little Omaha School then to the hall around 1890. Many of the records were destroyed by a fire in 1958. A new hall and library opened in 1960.
The library is now situated in The Cottage on the corner of Hauraki Road and Cumberland Street diagonally opposite the Leigh General Store. It is run by volunteers from the Leigh community. Come in and sign up and get free access to books and puzzles. The library also has a display of historical photos from the area.
Open Tuesday 2-6pm, Wednesday 2-4pm, Thursday 11-1pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.
Skateboard Park

Leigh Skateboard Park
Children’s Playgrounds
Tennis Courts
Leigh Church

St Michaels and All Angels Church
Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade

Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade
Leigh Community Directory
Forest & Bird Coast Care Group
A group of locals restoring the Leigh Coastal Reserves and adjacent bush areas to their original, and stopping pest plants (pampas and mothvine) from spreading to Hauturu (Little Barrier Island) and Tawharanui Regional Park. Contact: Neil Sutherland Ph 022 582 2713
Leigh Bowling Club
To foster fellowship and the game of bowls. New members welcome. Contact: Secretary: Ian Bradman Ph 021 423 144
Leigh Business Community
Meets 3rd Wednesday of month. Contact Petrina Web: www.leighbythesea.co.nz
Leigh Cards 500
Tuesday 1:00 – 3:30pm, Leigh Bowling Club, all welcome, $3.00.
Leigh Cemetery Trust
Contact: Secretary: Diti Hill-Denee Ph 027 277 7594
Leigh Community Club
Meets quarterly at the Leigh Bowling Club. Contact: President: Guy Parkes Ph 021352588 leighcommunityclub@gmail.com
Leigh Community Preschool
Ph 09 422 6516 www.leighpreschool.co.nz
Leigh Hall
Bookings and enquiries contact Lynn Mellsopp Ph 0272868625 or email the committee at leighhallauckland@gmail.com
Leigh Harbour Valley Society
Ph 09 422 6880 www.leighharbourvalleysociety.org.nz
Leigh Library
Open Tuesday 2-6pm, Wednesday 2-4pm, Thursday 11am-1pm, Saturday 9am-1pm. Librarian Tracey Lawton Ph 09 422 6944
Leigh School
Ph 09 422 6031 www.leigh.school.nz
Leigh Tennis Club
Email leightennisclubinc@gmail.com
Leigh Penguin Project
Email: leighpenguins@gmail.com
Leigh Walking Group
Meets on Mondays at 9.30 am for interesting walks throughout the Rodney, Kaipara and Auckland regions. Contact: Valda Paddison paddis@xtra.co.nz
Matheson Bay Neighbourhood Association
via committee on mathesonbayassn@gmail.com
Pakiri Community Landcare Group
Ph Frankie 021 688 997 or email nick@nickmolloy.co.nz
Pakiri Tennis Club
Contact Linda Taylor (Secretary) on 021 242 7459
Pestfree Leigh
pestfreeleigh@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/groups/pestfreeleigh
Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc. (TOSSI)
Secretary Karyn Hoksbergen 09 585 1315 or 021 155 6400 email secretary@tossi.org.nz www.tossi.org.nz
Waste Free Leigh
Promotes waste minimisation, sewing with rescued fabric, soft plastic collection. Facilitator: Helen Parkes helenp708@gmail.com 021 484 432
Whangateau Folk Club
Whangateau Acoustic Music and Social Club is a small community operation run for the benefit of touring independent musicians, the support of local musicians, and local music lovers. Meet the last Monday of each month at the Whangateau Hall, doors open 6:45pm. www.whangateau.co.nz
Whangateau Neighbourhood Support
Sharyn Carew sharyncarew@vodaphone.co.nz
Whangateau Residents & Ratepayers Association
Meets 7.30pm, 2nd Tuesday of month at Whangateau Hall. Ph Audrey Sharp 09 422 6209 or Hugh McKergow 09 422 6219
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND CELEBRANTS
JP – Fay Bradnam Ph 09 422 6038
JP & Wedding Celebrant – Dr John Peebles 021 974 247
Celebrant Annie Mellor www.fabulousweddingnz.com Ph 027 929 767
JP – Jon Everest Ph 021 354 708
JP – John Marsden 09 489 0193, 021 509 463
Love Leigh www.facebook.com/groups/LoveLeigh/
Leighbythesea www.facebook.com/pages/Leighbythesea/251994924849626
Leigh Historical Photographs NZ www.facebook.com/groups/739949979454558/
Leigh Community Group www.facebook.com/Leighcomm/
Special Event Venues
Weddings, Celebrations, Conferences
History of Leigh
Leigh was named in 1858 after Rev. Samuel Leigh, a missionary who visited the area. Read more about Samuel Leigh at www.teara.govt.nz
More About the History of Leigh
Maori settlement dates back hundreds of years with Ngati Wai and Ngati Manuhiri, the people of the area. At the time of European arrival, in the 1830s, the Maori Chief Te Kiri ruled the district. A meeting house at Omaha Marae sits above Leigh Harbour and is named after Te Kiri. Learn more on local Maori history at www.ngatimanuhiri.iwi.nz
The first settlers came from Nova Scotia and cleared forest for farmland. They also began boat building at Matheson Bay, Leigh Cove and Whangateau Harbour.
A sawmill was established at the head of Leigh Harbour with most timber transported by sea. In 1939 it was resited alongside Pakiri Road where it operated until being purchased by the Guinness Family in 1994. They converted it into the Leigh Sawmill Cafe which opened in 1996. See more on the history of the Sawmill on www.sawmillcafe.co.nz
A jetty was built in Leigh Harbour and railway lines ran from the quarry to load scows at high tide. The quarry shut down in 1930. Coastal steamships brought day trippers from Auckland to local events such as the Leigh Show, disembarking at the Leigh Wharf. The wharf has been upgraded over the years and services commercial fishermen unloading their catch or filling up with ice. Dive charter boats also load divers and nearby is a small boatramp.
Leigh Fisheries was established in 1957 by a group of local fishermen. Since that time it has been extended with a ice plant and now exports fish all over the world. Leigh (Lee) Fisheries
The Jolly Fisherman’s Lodge at the head of Leigh Harbour was built in the early 1900s and has now been restored. It was used as a holiday place accessed by walking around the rocks.
Mail came by coastal steamer until the roads were established. The old Leigh Post Office, on the corner of Hauraki Rd and Ferndale Ave, is now privately owned. At Whangateau there is a historic boatyard where boats are still worked on. They occasionally hold a regatta and old steam boats and other boats ply the harbour.
The first church service in Leigh was held in 1866 and the church was built in 1915. It was moved to its present site around 1950 and is now a interdenominational church with Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican services and is know as St Michaels and All Angels Church.
In 1964 the Leigh Marine Laboratory was established above Goat Island. A major refurbishment included the building and set up of the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre, where visitors can find out more about marine science.
Several marine scientists advocated to have a marine reserve established at Goat Island and the Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve became the first marine reserve in New Zealand opening in 1975. Since then it has attracted thousands of visitors who come to snorkel, dive or just view the fish from the glass bottom boat. The marine reserve is looked after by the Department of Conservation.
Daniel’s Reef, one of the most popular surfing spots, was named after a surfer, Adrian Rogers. Adrian always wore a hat and was nicknamed Daniel Boone.
The Leigh Library was first set up in 1870 in a private home. It moved in 1880 to the Little Omaha School then moved to the hall around 1890. Many of the records were destroyed by a fire in 1958. A new hall and library opened in 1960. The library operates opposite the Leigh General Store and is run by volunteers from the Leigh community. There are usually a few books that visitors can purchase.
The Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade was set up in 1964 and the Leigh Fire Station opened in 1976. Volunteers have regular training in first aid, fire fighting, cliff rescue and search and rescue.