Shelly Park is a suburb of Manukau. It is located about 15 kilometres from central Manukau and 23 kilometres from central Auckland. Europeans first began settlement in Manukau around 1843 with more Europeans arriving in the mid 1850s. These initial settlers were largely farmers, though development towards urbanisation began around the 1890s. Neighbouring suburbs were also largely settled at this time with the local focus evolving from farming to urban development. Shelly Park is a sought after suburb because of its great location. It contains a local school which is handy for young families, and many residents commute into central Auckland for work during the week. Residents enjoy easy access to the nearby beach. The Shelly Park Cruising Club provides docking facilities and a members’ club for residents in the area, while the beach is also popular for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports. Shelly Park has access to a range of amenities, most in neighbouring suburbs which are a short commute away.