Greener pastures at the Remuera Bowling Club

The Remuera Bowling Club (RBC), was formed in 1895, and the land purchased for the club in the same year. It is situated at 3C Dromorne Road Remuera, viewable from Market Road, and currently sits on 1.22 hectares in the Orakei Local Board area.

New Zealand has many vibrant, community-focused lawn bowls clubs throughout the country, offering both social and competitive opportunities for locals to join in and enjoy. The first bowling green in New Zealand, established in 1862 by enthusiastic Scottish settlers, was the Auckland Bowling Club on Grafton Road.

The original Clubhouse Pavilion was built in 1896. This was replaced by a new Pavilion in 1906 at a cost of £885, which has undergone many alterations and additions throughout the club’s history. Mr James Russell was appointed the club’s first President for a term of two years, and the first Club Champion was Mr W. Beatty in 1899. After 105 years as a ‘men-only’ club, women were admitted as full members in 2000.

In 1996, after a section of land was sold by RBC, a new green was added together with off-road parking accessible off Dromorne Road. A large implement shed, garage and a Greenkeeper’s cottage was built in the same year. Two artificial greens replaced the existing fine-leafed sown grass greens in 1997, allowing members to enjoy year-round bowling.

A renovation in 2005 included a new entrance from the car park, the installation of a lift and internal staircase, and an upgrade of the first-floor dining room. This was followed in 2011 by the refurbishment of the ground floor lounge and kitchen facilities.

In 2019, a new Shade Systems canopy roof was installed at the RBC, covering one of the club’s four greens. This was a financially realistic option to provide the bowling community with year-round, fully weather-proof roofing, including lighting, heating and cooling air conditioning for comfort.

In July 2024, the Auckland Bridge Club Inc and the Remuera Bowling Club Inc were granted a Resource Consent to redevelop the 3C Dromore Road site, adding an extra covered bowling green and car parking area. The Bowling Club and the Bridge Club will share a new building after the existing 1905 Pavilion is demolished. As the site is zoned Open Green Space, it is very positive for Remuera to see that the Remuera Bowling Club will continue to serve the community as a social and sporting facility.