Over 80 years of
swimming history.
From a brand new outdoor pool in 1940 to hosting the British Empire Games, The Olympic has been at the heart of Auckland swimming for generations.
Born in Newmarket.
Construction of the Newmarket Olympic Pool began in 1939, designed by borough engineer N. F. Alcock in a striking Art Deco style. When it opened in 1940, officially unveiled by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. William Parry, it made history as New Zealand's very first 50-metre swimming pool.
In its early years the pool was entirely outdoors — open to the Auckland sky, ringed by tiered spectator stands, and immediately beloved by the community. As the borough's only major public facility, it quickly became a social hub as much as a sporting one.
"As well as being the borough's only public amenity, the Olympic-sized swimming pool was a great asset for the whole of Auckland."
The pool in its outdoor era — open skies, tiered stands, and Auckland's finest gathering place.
Auckland's greatest sporting moment.
In February 1950, Auckland hosted the British Empire Games — now known as the Commonwealth Games. With over 246,000 people attending across the event, it was one of the most celebrated sporting occasions in New Zealand's history.
The Newmarket Olympic Pool was chosen as the exclusive venue for all aquatic events — swimming, diving, and water polo. Packed stands surrounded the outdoor pool as competitors from across the British Empire raced in front of an electrified Auckland crowd.
The pool's world-class 50-metre length was central to why Auckland was awarded the games. It remains the defining chapter in The Olympic's history — a moment when Newmarket became the centre of the swimming world.
"Undoubtedly the existence of the fine pool in Auckland city led to it hosting the Empire Games that year."
Aerial view of the pool and surrounding Newmarket, taken during the 1950 British Empire Games.
Records broken.
Champions made.
The Olympic's legacy extends far beyond the 1950 Games. In 1957, the pool became the site of New Zealand's first ever swimming world record, when Philippa Gould broke the world record for the 200-metre backstroke — a landmark moment for New Zealand sport.
For decades The Olympic served as the headquarters of competitive swimming in Auckland, hosting Swimming New Zealand events and producing champions who went on to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
By the early 1990s the facility had aged and was facing closure. But in 1992, Auckland City Council agreed a lease with Olympic Pool and Fitness Limited, and after significant renovation — including being enclosed and a cinema complex built above — the pool reopened on 5 March 1994, reborn for a new generation.
Competitors race in the pool — The Olympic has hosted champions at every level of the sport.
Come and be part of
the story.
The same 50-metre pool that hosted the 1950 British Empire Games is open every day — for you, your family, and the next generation of Auckland swimmers.
Explore the Pool