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Story: Suburbs

Ōtara street, 1970s

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Ōtara street, 1970s

The South Auckland state-housing suburb of Ōtara became notorious in the 1970s for anti-social behaviour and run-down housing. This photo shows the conditions that offended some people, with rusting cars sitting in front yards.

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Housing New Zealand Corporation

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How to cite this page

Mark Derby, Suburbs – New suburbs, 1950s–1970s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/25071/otara-street-1970s (accessed 9 June 2026).

Story by Mark Derby, published 4 February 2010.