A modern guide to the West
Many of us found the delights of West Auckland years ago. Drawn by trees, great beaches, Tuis as neighbours and despite friends in towns’ enquiries as to passport requirements to visit.
In the ever wallet-challenging housing market of Auckland that forces people to feather their nests in ever-expanding areas, we have seen quite an influx in the last few years. Drawn by sections bigger than a postage stamp and large 70’s era homes, (the 70’s are back, ask Evie Kemp).
So some like the early settlers have, ‘gone West’. With this in mind and the sense of drawing the community together, I’ve created a guide that celebrates the older and newer residents shared, but different view. For some in Auckland, the West is personified by but one character. The ‘Bogan’, quite snottily referred to by city dwellers does not constitute the entire West. Whilst not fully embracing some of these peculiarities, the new Westies respect cultural diversity and are adding to it with a modern twist.
I’ve created a guide that celebrates the older and newer residents shared, but different views. This simple guide shows how our locals are all similar at heart. With a few slight, (ahem) differences. We also acknowledge variety is what makes a great neighbourhood a great community.
What camp are you drawn to?
Word &images: Sheryl Burson
Bogan (/ˈboʊɡən/ BOHG-ən[1]) is Australian and New Zealand slang for a person whose speech, clothing, attitude and behaviour are considered unrefined or unsophisticated. Depending on the context, the term can be pejorative or self-deprecating.[2]
Since the 1980s, the bogan has become a very well-recognised subculture, often as an example of bad taste.[3][4] It has antecedents in the Australian larrikin and ocker, and various localised names exist that describe the same or very similar people to the bogan.[5]
