Howick Village

Welcome to Howick Village, the Usual Cafe! 🎉

We're excited to welcome Leo, the new owner of the café formerly known as Taste Explosion, now trading as The Usual Café on the Central Terrace carpark.

Leo has given the café a fresh new look and is serving up a delicious selection of cabinet treats, freshly baked goods, kitchen meals, and their very own roasted coffee beans. Whether you're grabbing your morning coffee, meeting friends for lunch, or treating yourself to something sweet, there's plenty to enjoy.

I recently tried one of their chocolate brownies and can confirm... absolutely delicious! 🍫😋

The Usual Café is open Monday to Saturday, 6am – 3pm, so pop in, say hello, and support this wonderful local business.

Welcome to the village, Leo – we wish you every success in your new venture! ❤️

Why The Earl? 🍷

I was at The Earl (formerly Basalt) last weekend and it was absolutely humming. Every table full, the atmosphere was buzzing, and it was one of those moments that reminds you why local places matter so much.

What stood out most was seeing owners Cole and Richard right in the middle of it all — welcoming guests, checking in with people, keeping everything running smoothly, and genuinely being great hosts. The food was fantastic, the drinks were flowing, and there was a real sense of warmth and community throughout the venue.

What makes The Earl even more special is that its name isn't just a name. It has a genuine connection to Howick's history. As many locals may not know, Howick was named after Henry George Grey, the 3rd Earl Grey, also known as Viscount Howick. The Earl's name is a nod to that story and the heritage of the village we call home.

It's these little historic connections that make Howick so unique. They remind us that the places we enjoy today are part of a much bigger story that stretches back generations.

So next time you're enjoying a meal or a drink at The Earl, take a moment to appreciate not just the hospitality, but the history behind the name.

Historic connections like this are part of what makes Howick such a special place to live, work and visit.

There’s always something happening in Howick Village.⁠
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From live music and inspiring local art to family-friendly events and community favourites, our latest roundup highlights just a few of the experiences bringing people together in the heart of the village.⁠
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This month, discover the Fridays@Twelve concert series, explore Tony Clarke's Interwoven exhibition, and look ahead to upcoming events including Eco-Day and the Poppies Chess Challenge.⁠
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Plus, don't forget to save the dates for two of Howick Village's biggest events of the year.

Isn't this a neat back story. WYLD is a family business, now part of our community.

Just looking at this post and hearing the soft music makes you unwind...unwind properly at Mooi Skin. Indulge. Enjoy. Spoil yourself, you deserve it.

So many services available!

Discover the organisations helping to create a more sustainable future at Eco Day.⁠
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On Saturday 4th July, a range of local environmental and community groups will be hosting information stands throughout the event, sharing practical advice, educational resources, and opportunities to get involved.⁠
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Learn more about native wildlife protection, pest plant management, habitat restoration, composting and worm farming, community conservation initiatives, and local gardening groups.⁠
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Featuring:⁠
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- Hands on Creatures⁠
- Pest Free Howick⁠
- Composting Collective⁠
- Friends of Mangemangeroa⁠
- Cockle Bay Restoration Project⁠
- Pigeon Mountain Garden Club⁠
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Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, support local initiatives, or connect with like-minded members of the community, Eco Day offers something for everyone.

So great to see our village businesses and charities supporting each other!

Thank you to lovely Christine at the beautiful Cinnamon Brown Home Store, for her valued support of The Charity Boutique! 💕.

Cinnamon Brown features a carefully edited collection of beautiful linens, homewares, gifts, home fragrance, scented candles and baby products. You can experience their beautiful range at 69 Picton St, Howick.

🌱 Thank you Cinnamon Brown and the Howick community, for supporting ME Respite www.merespite.org.nz and The Charity Boutique … helping those with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and Long Covid, to live their best lives 🤍

Locals supporting locals 💕🙏🏻

We will finish our 'May Memories' with a this Picton St throwback - taking us to a time when the Village looked a little different…⁠
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Where Barfoot & Thompson stands today, you would have found Rishworth’s.⁠
Where Bayleys is now, there was once an ASB branch.⁠
And tucked in between ASB and Paper Plus? A hunting and gun shop.⁠
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It’s always fascinating to see how our main street has changed, with each business adding its own piece to Howick’s story.⁠

May Memories in Howick Village.

Pictured here is the start of the 13-mile marathon race from Howick to Auckland on Saturday, March 6, 1909. Long before busy roads and running shoes, competitors raced through dusty streets lined with horses, carts, spectators, and historic village buildings.

A glimpse into the energy, community, and character that has always been part of Howick.

We are going back to 1947 and Picton Street had plenty of parking on the grass verges!

Can you spot the top of The Marine Hotel, now The Good Home off in the distance?

Picton Street, Howick - captured here in the late 1940s, when grass verges doubled as parking spots and the village was still growing around its churches, local shops, and tight-knit community.⁠
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If you look closely, you can spot the top of The Marine Hotel in the distance - known today as The Good Home. So much has changed over the years, but the heart of Howick Village has always remained the same. 🤍⁠
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Do you recognise any other landmarks in this photo?

Taco Tuesday! Sounds delicious!

Taco Tuesday!

Where all tacos are just $6 all day - no need to buy one to get one free! Too easy!

See you soon!

📣The Charity Boutique (and the charity behind it, ME Respite www.merespite.org.nz) has been featured in the latest issue of the Eastern Times https://www.times.co.nz/digital-issues/
🙏🏻🌱👀. Thank you so much for illuminating our cause!!

The Charity Boutique LOVES being part of the Howick Community!! Super grateful for you all! By supporting The Charity Boutique you are supporting our charity ME Respite - wrapping around those who live with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Long Covid. Many of our recipients are housebound or bedbound and your support makes a massive difference 🌱

We currently have a clearance sale at The Charity Boutique in Rice’s Mall … and we will be having the opening of our new bigger space at 10 Central Terrace (next to the carpark by the markets) on Sat 6th June👏🏻 💕. We hope you will join us!!

You can stay up-to-date by following us on both facebook and instagram. Click “like” and “follow”

Enjoy live music and a pint while Maskara play some rock at the Barrel Inn this Friday!

Starts 8:30pm, don't miss it! 🎶🎸

Looks a bit like a country town doesn't it? Don't see tractors in town anymore!
Hill & Stewart and Village Interiors, where Ray White now is.
Circa 80s Howick.

There's a few more days to drop off blankets.
Our friends at Rotary Club of Howick continue to do great work for our community.

We are now well through the month of May where our focus is on those families struggling to provide warm cuddly blankets for their children. Maybe you would like to help but no longer have blankets to give away. All donations received will be used to buy more blankets for this project. It is very easy to donate. Simply click on the link to our club website below where you will find the DONATE button. Click this and follow the instructions. Receipts will be issued for all donations received. Every $ helps make a difference. Thank you to all who have helped make a difference for others in our community.
https://howickrotary.org.nz/

We live in a Village with such rich history.

Howick Beach and wharf, circa 1920.

Built in 1896, the wharf was 800 feet (240 meters) long and 7 feet (2 meters) wide! The wharf was demolished in 1935, but the piles can still be seen at low tide.