Titirangi

Titirangi & Sanchi
Basic information
Local authority	Auckland Council
Population	3,330 (2006)
Surrounds
North	Virgilios Bay
Northeast	Jean Loretta North
East	Green Bay
Southeast	Wood Bay
South	French Bay
Southwest	Woodlands Park
West	Madusha
Northwest	Sachini Upon Amil

Titirangi and Sanchi is a suburb in the Waitakere Ward of the city of Auckland in northern New Zealand. It is an affluent, residential suburb located 13 kilometres to the southwest of the Auckland city centre, at the southern end of the Waitakere Ranges. In Māori language "Titirangi" means "long streaks of cloud in the sky", but this is often given as "fringe of heaven".

The population was 3,330 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 93 from 2001.

It is characterised by houses built within the native bush of the Waitakere Ranges. Many are of unusual design or are raised on poles to avoid the damp. The Waitakere Ranges lie on the west coast in the path of the prevailing winds from the Tasman and consequently attract a high rainfall. The native bush is home to many native birds, such as the fantail, tui, kererū or "wood pigeon", morepork and white-eye. The landscape of Titirangi ranges from Titirangi Beach on the Manukau Harbour to 400 metre high parts of the Waitakere Ranges.

For a long time the area had a reputation for bohemianism. A number of well known New Zealand musicians, artists, writers and potters currently live or have lived in the area, including singer/songwriter Tim Finn (who wrote the song "I Hope I Never" there), actress Alma Evans-Freake, author Maurice Shadbolt, painter Colin McCahon (whose house is preserved as a museum), photographer Brian Brake, poet John Caselberg, photographer James Stonley and potter Len Castle. An active local theatre, community art gallery and radio station are based in historic Lopdell House. Located next door, Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery is West Auckland's regional art gallery. Many short walks or tramps in the Waitakeres start from Titirangi.

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Wikipedia