Paremoremo 4.32

Paremoremo is a largely rural locality about 8 km southwest of Albany on the northern fringe of Auckland, New Zealand. Coatesville is about 7 km to the north, and Riverhead is about 8 km to the west.The population was 2,193 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 102 from 2001.Parks and reservesParemoremo Scenic Reserve is a block of land north of the Paremoremo residential area. It is the largest bush reserve in the North Shore District and is a site of ecological significance.A 40ha block of land south of the prison was bought by North Shore City for NZ$3.1 million in February 2002, to be developed as Sanders Park. Recently though a small mountain biking track with small ramps and high-camber corners has been built. Also at Sanders Reserve are two small beaches with good swimming areas. People have been known to camp on the grass areas around the beach.HistoryParemoremo was originally a small community on the Upper Waitemata Harbour which saw European settlement grow following the construction of a wharf at the foot of Attwood Road. In the early 19th century it was known for its farms, market gardens and orchards. Passengers and cargo travelled to the city by the launches and small ferries of the period.In the mid 1960s it became the home of Auckland Prison, New Zealand's main maximum security prison.A village of 130 houses was built by the New Zealand Department of Justice to house prison workers, but in 1996 30 of the houses were sold after battles in the Employment Court of New Zealand and Court of Appeal.