Flagstaff

History
The Flagstaff / Rototuna area traces its history back to 1881. After the land wars soldiers were given 50 acres in the country. Early settlers living in the area used to meet supply boats at the bottom of Sylvester Road. A flagstaff was used to signal to the settlers that the riverboat was approaching. The hill became known as Flagstaff Hill. Sitting on the outskirts of Hamilton it remained a farming community for the next 100 years. When the Housing Corporation acquired the land in 1987, for a subdivision of new homes, it was named Flagstaff. It was a concerted effort by the Housing Corporation to move up market. Flagstaff was the first subdivision of its type, planned along a total community concept mixing State rental housing with sections sold to other private house builders. Throughout the 1990s and still today it is Hamilton's fastest growing suburb with the addition of developments such as Grosvenor, St James, Sommerset and Huntington.

Notable Landmarks
Completed in 1996 the Pukete Bridge marks the entrance to the area from the south. Swarbrick Park and Landing Park are named after three generations of the Swarbrick family.

The Thomas homestead at 219 Gordonton Road was built in 1929 on 100 acres of land that now forms Somerset Heights subdivision. The homes construction along with the leadlight windows, plaster dome ceilings and original fireplaces are well preserved features of architecture during the 1920's.

Real Estate & Design
An explosion of modern homes in new subdivisions on what was once farmland characterises this primarily residential suburb of northeastern Hamilton. Modern brick or stucco and tile homes both in single and double storey are typical of the area. The natural geographical features of the gullies and river have attracted larger luxurious homes along their banks. Real Estate in the Flagstaff area, which includes subdivisions of Grosvenor, Callum Brae, Huntington and St James, has seen a surge in building numbers with over 2500 homes housing more than 6800 people at last count. However, the number grows everyday.

Shopping
The Flagstaff Shopping Centre on the River Road / Endeavour Ave round-a-bout offers a variety of conveniences shops including a bake-house and a popular wine cellar. The Westfield Shopping Mall at Chartwell with its combination of 80 shopping and supermarkets is only a short drive away.

Restaurants & Cafes
Olive Cafe in the Flagstaff Shopping Centre is a local favorite open Wednesday through Sunday. Little India has recently opened its doors in the Rototuna centre providing a taste of the Tandoor and terric curries for the suburb. Approximately 2 kms away is the chic En Q restaurant which provides night dining on Queenwood Ave in neighbouring Chartwell. Neighbour Zinc Cafe is renowned for its lunches. Around the corner in the Lynden Court complex Smith and McKenzie Chophouse provides a tribute to the old New York steakhouse.

Sports & Fitness
Joggers can enjoy a pleasant riverbank run by crossing the Pukete Bridge or footbridge. Numerous parks typify the area. Eastern suburbs Rugby Club moved to the area in the late 1990s. For golfing enthusiasts there is a 9-hole pitch and putt in Callum Brae while Horsham Downs and Ngaruawahia Golf Clubs are also close by. A fully equipped gym at the Flagstaff shopping centre is popular with residents.

Schools & Education
Rototuna Primary School is a particularly popular school in the area because of its central location. The school operates a geographical zone that precludes an area beyond Thomas and Rototuna Roads at our last check. We advise that you confirm the zoning with the school or your Lodge salesperson if buying into the zone is important to you.

Distance from CBD
Flagstaff is approximately seven kilometres from the CBD and is serviced by buses from the central bus terminal either via Pukete or Chartwell. The "Orbitor” bus circuits the city and provides links to key destinations in the north west including Rototuna, Flagstaff, Chartwell, University, Hospital, Dinsdale, Wintec and the Base. The service runs Monday to Friday every 15 minutes and Saturday every 30 minutes.

Key Attractions
Primarily a residential suburb the closeness of the community is the biggest draw card of the area. Sitting on the north eastern border of Hamilton the area enjoys a consistency of development throughout the suburb.