Notes

Though only a small area, Birkdale-Beach Haven area has rich local history. For Maori, the bush and waters aroundthis peninsula provided a bountiful supply of seasonal food. Later, the hard-working and innovative fruit growers were renowned for producing New Zealand's best strawberries. Birkdale is also where the first wooden strawberry chips (punnets) were made.
In this book, Birkdale author and historian, Matt Elliott, combines oral history, old and new photographs, detailed explanations of the strawberry industry and activities to help school children step back in time.
There is plenty to see, and explore!