Bombay is a village at the foot of the Bombay Hills on State Highway 1, marking the southern boundary of Auckland and the start of the Waikato. It’s a small rural community with a long history — European settlers arrived in the 1860s following the Waikato Wars, and the village was named after the ship Bombay that brought settlers from England in 1863. Today, Bombay is best known as the motorway interchange at the edge of Auckland, but it has its own community, school and character beyond the service station.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern edge of Auckland, foot of Bombay Hills, SH1 |
| Character | Rural village at Auckland–Waikato boundary |
| Named After | The ship Bombay, which transported settlers in 1863 |
| Bombay School | Full primary (Years 1–8), roll ~384 |
| Sikh Temple | Guru Nanak Sikh Temple — opened 2004, first in the Franklin district |
| Motorway Access | Bombay Interchange, SH1 — signalised 2024 |
| Distance to Pukekohe | ~10 km northeast, ~10 min drive |
About Bombay
Bombay sits at a geographic and historical crossroads. The Bombay Hills were the southern limit of Auckland’s early European settlement — beyond them lay the Waikato, which was the scene of significant conflict during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s. European settlement in Bombay itself followed the confiscation of Māori land in that era, with farming families establishing themselves along the fertile ridgelines above the motorway corridor.
The village has an interesting multicultural thread. From the early 20th century, Indian immigrants — primarily from Punjab — settled in the area, drawn to the farming land for dairy and market gardening. A significant milestone came in 2004 with the opening of the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple — the first Sikh temple in the Franklin district, and a reflection of how embedded that community has become in Bombay’s story.
The Bombay Hills themselves mark the boundary between the Auckland and Waikato regions. The Southern Motorway climbs through these hills before descending to the Waikato Plains. The Bombay Interchange is one of the most-used motorway exits in South Auckland — it connects the local area to SH1 northbound to Auckland and southbound to Hamilton. Traffic lights were added to the interchange in 2024 to manage increased volumes.
Bombay School serves the village and surrounding rural area with a roll of around 384 students. It’s one of the larger rural primary schools in the Franklin district, reflecting the area’s population spread across nearby farms and lifestyle blocks.
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Bombay, New Zealand — history, naming, settlement background and community information for Bombay village.
Te Ara Encyclopedia — Bombay — the story of Bombay’s settlement and its connection to the ship of the same name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Bombay?
Bombay is named after the ship Bombay, which transported settlers from England to the area in 1863. It’s a common naming pattern in New Zealand — places named after the vessels that brought early European settlers.
Where is Bombay?
Bombay is a village at the foot of the Bombay Hills on SH1, marking the southern boundary of Auckland Region. It’s approximately 10 km northeast of Pukekohe and about 50 km south of Auckland city.
Is Bombay part of Auckland?
Yes — Bombay is within the Franklin local board area of Auckland Council, despite sitting right on the Auckland–Waikato regional boundary.
What is special about Bombay?
Bombay has a Guru Nanak Sikh Temple (opened 2004), one of the first in the South Auckland rural area. The village has a long history tied to the New Zealand Wars and subsequent farming settlement, and a multicultural community including a significant Punjabi farming heritage.
How do I get to Bombay?
Bombay is accessed via the Bombay Interchange on SH1 — exit 466 heading south from Auckland. From Pukekohe, it’s about 10 minutes’ drive east.
Explore all areas on the Pukekohe Suburbs page. Ramarama is a nearby rural community also on the SH1 corridor. Pukekohe East is the developing eastern edge of Pukekohe closest to the Bombay interchange.
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