Manurewa is the very essence of diversity, with its environs including some of Auckland’s most characterless low-rent suburbs (such as Clendon Park) and some of its most elegant new subdivisions (The Gardens, for example). As a further contrast, just a kilometre or so from the colourless main shopping area are the lush Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens, former home of the annual Ellerslie Flower Show, which draws well-heeled plant lovers from all over the city. Totara Park, next to the Botanic Gardens, has bush walks and possibly Auckland’s only bush-surrounded public swimming pool, as well as a horse riding centre for the disabled. The western side of the area flanks the Manukau Harbour, and includes a number of small peninsulas creating interesting reserves and some of the city’s cheapest waterfront real estate. To the east are the rural areas of Alfriston and Ardmore.