Who we are and History..

The site of today’s Elevation Restaurant has been part of the community since 1938.

Down the road from the beauty and power of Piha Beach, hanging 350m above sea level on a side of the Waitakere ranges, Elevation Restaurant is one of the highest restaurant in Auckland and a hidden gem of West Auckland. Elevation is even higher than the tip of the Skytower and looks down on the revolving restaurant. Elevation has indescribable and must see for yourself views of Auckland city, but the views are surpassed by the delicious food and friendly smiles here.

We are not only a place to eat but a must do experience of Auckland. We have been part of West Auckland since 1938 and you will experience the easy going culture and vibe of the West here.

We have been the location of numerous magazines photos, movies and television programs because of our unique location such as, Metro, Vibe, Aucklander,  Outrageous Fortune, Shortland Street, etc.


History...
This area, originally covered by a mature and grand Kauri forest, was largely avoided and left unoccupied by Maori. Early Auckland business partners Henderson and McFarlane exchanged a fully rigged schooner in the mid 1800’s for a large section of land including this site from the local Maori chiefs. As this was contrary to an edict issued by Governor Grey forbidding “swapping” of land legal title was not recognised until 1873.

Kauri trees cleared from the property were sent down by bullock team into the valley behind where the restaurant now stands. When sufficient logs were accumulated in a dam in the lower valley the dam was tripped and in a dramatic surge of water, the logs were carried down to Henderson Creek. At Henderson township, where the creek enters the upper tidal reaches of the Waitemata Harbour, they were milled for dispatch around the world.

In 1880, with the Kauri largely cleared, an English settler Mary Bendall acquired land and established a 264-acre farm up to the ridge the restaurant now occupies. Soon after in 1894 A. S. Nodder, a saw doctor, acquired a small holding including this site. In 1905 during the development of the Nihotapu dam, the land to the west of what was Nodder’s property was taken by Auckland City for water catchment. This dam still operates and supplies the city with water today.

Fred Jackson established the Waiatarua Boarding House nearby soon after in 1906 and subsequently built and lived in a small cottage. The derelict remains of this cottage still stand next door to the restaurant. Until WWII the Waiatarua Boarding house and several other boarding houses and rest homes in Waiatarua enjoyed great popularity as retreats for rest and recuperation. A special attraction for overnight visitors travelling by horse-drawn coach from Glen Eden railway station to the West Coast beaches were the glow worms found in the regenerating rainforest and bush remnants.

In 1938, on the site situated between the old Judson cottage and the Waiatarua Boarding House, Neil Cathie built the Waiatarua Tea Kiosk and Store. This was a fine and substantial building incorporating imported materials and costing 8,000, which was a considerable sum at the time. Unfortunately in 1946 disaster struck when the splendid new tea rooms were burned to the ground. The remains of this building are still visible in the foundations of this restaurant today.

In the same year Mike Chester, on returning from WWII, built a small new general store on this site. The building bore no resemblance to the former splendid tea rooms, for during this post war period building materials were both scarce and expensive. Nevertheless, over time a post office agency was obtained and the business prospered.

R. Langley became the new store owner in 1964. In 1971 he built a new shop front, enlarged the interior and installed petrol pumps. It was then that Audrey Maunsell opened her shop Craft Horizons in the new extensions where she sold all kinds of locally made handcrafts to the visiting tour coaches.

In 1989 Martin Jakicevich added the little bar area to the side of the building and the downstairs toilets reinventing the business as the “Fork n View”. When his plans to further enlarge the restaurant and establish an adjacent tourist hotel were fruitless, the property was divided and sold separately. Over the following years the business declined and under various owners traded as “The View Café”, “Ferns Restaurant”, City Lights Café” and the colourful “Boohai Restaurant and Bar”.

During 2001 the new owner Wayne Edwards substantially refurbished the shabby building and overgrown grounds. After entering into a trading partnership with Christine Brien, the Nikau Club Restaurant was founded. As the restaurant grew in popularity a manager’s apartment and outside dining deck was added. In 2005 Christine left the business and the property owner Wayne Edwards together with Mary Edwards have established “Elevation Restaurant”.