Here we have an example of a pre-1960s City of Hamilton District Scheme (70 pages) suburb. This was a time when the Ministry of Education would build schools as suburbs were being formed (Frankton 1911, St Columba’s 1918, Rhode St 1959), when the city council provided land for parks and services, and retail opened where it suited and was convenient for the owners/operators.
The outcome of this limited rule-free market approach to retail looks pretty balanced; maybe more balanced than that now prevailing with Hamilton City Council’s Operational district plan (1,000+ pages) – http://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/districtplans/Pages/default.aspx