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Story: Auckland places

Papatoetoe bus

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Papatoetoe bus

For many decades a horse-drawn omnibus was the only form of public transport between Auckland and Papatoetoe. A motorised bus service began in the 1920s, but poor roads meant the passengers had to endure dust, pot holes and punctures. A smoother and quicker ride came in 1928 when the Great South Road was concreted.

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Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: C-1053

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Margaret McClure, Auckland places – South Auckland, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16244/papatoetoe-bus (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Margaret McClure, published 2 March 2009, updated 5 August 2016.