Ellerslie is a suburb of the city of Auckland, New Zealand, seven kilometres southeast of the city centre. Mainly a residential suburb, the area is famous as the location of the major horse-racing venue in Auckland, the Ellerslie Racecourse, and the original site of the Ellerslie Flower Show.
The suburb was named after the early local politician and merchant Robert Graham’s father’s home in Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Graham arrived in Auckland as an assisted immigrant from Scotland in October 1842.
At the 2018 New Zealand census, Ellerslie had a population of 9,186 with 3,174 households.
Notable Landmarks, Parks and Reserves
Ellerslie Racecourse
The Ellerslie Racecourse is the major racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand, for thoroughbred racehorses. It is a rippling grass circuit in the suburbs of Ellerslie, with a circumference of just under 1,900 metres.
Ellerslie Domain
The Ellerslie Domain is situated in the centre of Ellerslie and has tennis and rugby fitness facilities. Numerous sports organisations use the domain for their training, including the Ellerslie Eagles, who play in the Auckland Rugby League.
Michaels Avenue Reserve
The Michaels Avenue Reserve is a large open green zone used for sports and leisure. The reserve has an exciting variety of plants and animals and has a playground for children and fields for cricket and soccer.
Local Schools
Ellerslie School and St Mary’s School are the primary schools in Ellerslie. Other secondary schools serving the local community include One Tree Hill College, St Peter’s College and the Baradene College of the Sacred Heart.