were relatively rural areas until the 1950s when the first stages of the Northwestern Motorway (part of State Highway 16) were opened along the coast of the Waitemata Harbour. This encouraged suburban settlements to the west of Auckland, and Te Atatū grew rapidly as a result. In the 2000s, the working-class suburb area became increasingly popular for luxury apartments and other higher-cost residential development. Proposed port In the 1950s, there were plans to build a new deepwater port at the Te Atatū Peninsula. Land was acquired under public works regulations, and later, the Auckland Harbour Bridge was built to a clear height sufficient to allow large ships to pass under it. However, the port idea was never realised. Homes stand on some of it, but most of it is a reserve with views to Auckland city. Walkways and Cycleways also run along both coasts along the Henderson Creek and Whau River. A regular bus service runs to the city along Great North Road, and another service runs along Te Atatū Rd. A ferry service to the city has also been proposed. Facilities Schools The local State secondary school is Rutherford College. Other convenient State secondary schools are Henderson High School, ACG Sunderland school and college, Liston College, and St Dominic's College. Local intermediate schools are Te Atatū Intermediate and Rangeview Intermediate. There are also seven primary schools: Edmonton, Flanshaw Road, Freyberg, Tirimoana, Rutherford, Matipo and Peninsula. Sports Te Atatū is home to several sports clubs. Perhaps the most successful is the Te Atatu Roosters rugby league team who were national champions in 1988. They are based at Jack Colvin Park. Other teams who play in the Te Atatū area are the Te Atatū Tennis Club, Waitakere Cricket Club, Waitakere rugby union club, Waitemata Football Club, Te Atatū Football Club, West City Baseball Club, Te Atatū softball club, Waitemata Rowing Club, and Te Atatū Boating Club. References External links Te Atatū Peninsula Business Association Photographs of Te Atatū held in Auckland Libraries' Heritage Collections. Suburbs of Auckland Henderson-Massey Local Board Area West Auckland, New Zealand