// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did French Bay say to the shore? "Sea you later
| French Bay | |
|---|---|
 French Bay at low tide | |
  French Bay Location within the Auckland Region | |
| Location | Auckland Region, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°57′00″S 174°40′01″E / 36.95°S 174.667°E |
Ocean/sea sources | Manukau Harbour |
French Bay, less commonly known as French Bay / Otitori Bay, is a bay in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is located in Titirangi on the Manukau Harbour, between Wood Bay to the north and Paturoa Bay to the south.
History
[edit]The bay was traditionally called Opou by Tāmaki Māori, literally meaning "the place of posts". The bay became known as French Bay in the 1920s; however, the reason for this is unknown.[1] In the early 20th century, the bay became a popular destination for Aucklanders, undertaking day trips.[2] Painter Colin McCahon lived close to French Bay from 1953 to 1960,[3] and many of his works depict the bay.[4] McCahon's home later became McCahon House, a museum and gallery space.[3]
The beach has variable water quality,[5] and in 2020 was listed as one of the 10 least safe beaches for swimming in the Auckland Region.[6]
Amenities
[edit]The French Bay Yacht Club is located on the beach.[7] The yacht club facilities were severely damaged during the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ↑ "French Bay". New Zealand Gazetteer. Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ↑ Harvey, Bruce; Harvey, Trixie (2009). "That Noble Sheet of Water". In Macdonald, Finlay; Kerr, Ruth (eds.). West: The History of Waitakere. Random House. p. 93. ISBN 9781869790080.
- 1 2 Edmond, Martin (2020). "A family plot". Journal of New Zealand Studies (31): 148–153. ISSN 1176-306X.
- ↑ Smythe, Luke (2020). "Let us possess one world: McCahon, abstraction and transversal art history". Journal of New Zealand Studies (31): 128–147. ISSN 1176-306X.
- ↑ Tokalau, Torika (21 December 2017). "Where to find the cleanest beaches in West Auckland". Stuff. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ↑ Dillane, Tom (16 January 2021). "Auckland's worst beaches: Urgent rates rise required, worst-polluted sites ranked". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ↑ Sadler, Rachel (3 January 2021). "Five secluded Auckland beaches to visit this summer". Newshub. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ↑ Dirga, Nik (30 January 2023). "Slips, slides and no water - Titirangi suburb battered by storm fallout". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ↑ "Heartbreak as West Auckland man's tiny home destroyed after flood damaged real home in 2021". The New Zealand Herald. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.