With a history that goes back to the early 1800s when it was the centre of three Maori  Pas in the area, one at Red Hill, one at Maketu near Ramarama, and the other at Pukekohe East, Drury was once the coal mining centre of the North Island. Coal was mined at Coal Mine Rd, near the present Stevenson’s Quarry and shipped from Drury to Onehunga for sale in Auckland. Boats used to come up Slippery Creek to collect bricks made at the Drury brickworks and take them to the port of Onehunga.

Drury was named in 1855, for  Commander Byron Drury, who surveyed the Manukau Harbour and found the arm of the harbour that leads up to Slippery Creek at Drury.

In 1863 Drury became a garrison town.  That  same year  a horse drawn tramway using wooden rails, and serving the coalmine and the pottery is said to be the second oldest railway line in New Zealand.

In 1989 a cheese factory was established in Norrie Road, producing around 700 tons of cheese until its closure in 1973.

Despite residential expansion south, Drury is still primarily a rural area and while the village may be pint-sized, what it lacks in size it makes up for in character, quality and diversity.

It’s handy location, just a few hundred metres from the motorway heading south to the Bombay Hills, means it is easily accessed and once in town, visitors will find plenty to fill their shopping baskets.

Whether you’re in the mood to finish your Christmas shopping, need to stock the pantry or are on the look out for some home decorating ideas you’ll find everything from gourmet sausages to beautiful antiques from China. And while there, check out the variety of restaurants, eateries and cafes – there’s something for most tastes.  For personal pampering and beautiful gift ideas, Drury will keep shoppers busy for hours.

If collecting fresh free range egss is your heart’s desire, make sure you pop in to see  Drury Pet Centre – they have all your poultry needs covered.  The Town and Country Vet Services are on hand too to ensure all your ptes – in and out of the hen house – are in the best of health.

While in the area you may well be in the mood for a snack, bite of lunch or evening meal – no problem! There are a variety of options including Two Fat Cows, a trendy pub with a relaxed environment, which encompasses indoor-outdoor flow. If you’re looking to finish off your landscaping , don’t miss Plantarama – they will be able to fulfil all your gardening needs without leaving the district.

With holiday season looming, if you’re looking for the finest for the festive table, or, perhaps, for summer barbecues then you can’t go past award-winning Drury Meats which not only has some of New Zealand’s best and most innovative gourmet sausages but also stocks a huge range of quality meats including hard to find cuts such as duck, rabbit, crocodile and ostrich to name a few.