AUCKLAND
 New Zealand's largest city,
culturally diverse, built
on a volcanic field with many small cones converted to fortifications by
Maori. Its colonial history is well represented in preserved buildings.
The region has many public reserves of forests and
beaches.
The sites on
this Google map are covered in this section.
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One Tree Hill - Maunagakiekie 
 What: Prehistoric Maori
fortification and town built on a volcanic cone. There is an
excellent visitor centre on the north slope of the cone with an
interactive multimedia centre where you can find out more about
Maori life. The digital reconstruction on the right built onto a terrain model used in the
centre is based on a
detailed survey of the cone.
Where: Central Isthmus - 15 minutes from the
city centre. Google
Earth 
Web Info: http://www.cornwallpark.co.nz/
How to get there: Bus (Check Rideline)
or taxi.
How long to allow: 2 hrs walking over the site
following the archaeological trail. For the less fit there is a
summit road.
What else to do there: The park also has
Auckland's oldest building, Acacia Cottage (relocated here), a
volcanic trail, a native tree arboretum, an astronomical
observatory, a good kiosk for breakfast or lunch, great views from
the summit. Hungry archaeologist:
 |
Wilsons Cement Works, Warkworth 
 What: Mine
and cement works. Site of the first Portland cement
production in the southern hemisphere. There is a charge.
Where: East of Warkworth.
Google
Earth
Web Info: http://www.historic.org.nz/
magazinefeatures/2002spring/2002_spring_b.htm
IPENZ
Register
How to get there: Take Rulhane Rd from
Warkworth, 1.5 km turn left onto Wilson Rd, 0.8 km turn left into
site.
How long to allow: 1 hr.
What else to do there: Note the mine
managers house opposite the entrance. Warkworth is a pleasant
bustling town. |
Copper Mine, Kawau Island
 What: Mine
engine house remains. Mining commenced in the 1840s.Interpretation
at Mansion House.Where:
Mine Point - southern side of island. Google
Earth
Web Info:http://www.doc.govt.nz/
templates/page.aspx?id=34056
How to get there: There is a regular ferry
from the Sandspit to Mansion House Bay. It's a half hour walk from
there.
How long to allow: 30 minutes at the
site.
What else to do there: Governor Grey's
mansion at Mansion House Bay, Copper smelting house.
Hungry archaeologist:
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O-Manawatere Pa, Omana
| What: Maori
fortification, this one in ring-ditch form. Where:
Omana Regional Park, South Auckland. Google
Earth
Web Info: http://www.arc.govt.nz/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/omana/
How to get there: Omana is about 42
kms. (40 mins.) from Auckland City. Take the motorway south and
turn off at the Papatoetoe off-ramp. Follow the signs to Whitford.
You will reach Omana Regional Park just before the Maraetai
settlement. The pa is ten minutes along the peripheral
track from the information centre.
How long to allow: 20 minutes at the
site.
What else to do there: Picnic and swim
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Riverhead Mill
 What:
Paper mill on the site of earlier timber and then four mill.
Originally water powered - a wheel pit it the most obvious feature
along with the wharf alongside the river. Interpretation signs.Where:
At Riverhead on SH 18 on the west side of the river south of
the highway bridge. Google
Earth
Web Info:
How to get there: Take SH16 from the
city (the northwest motorway) and take the turnoff to the right to
Riverhead. Half an hour from Auckland
How long to allow: 15 minutes
What else to do there: Wineries, country
cafes, hot pools at Parakai, Helensville heritage township,
Muriwai Beach (gannet colony). |
North Head 
 What: Harbour fortifications built
on volcanic cone dating from the 19th century Russian scare to the
second world war. Disappearing gun, tunnels to magazines, signalling
guns. Some interpretation. A torch is handy but
not essential.
Where: The inner north entrance to Auckland
Harbour. Google
Earth
Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/
templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36810
4d Canvas have produced a virtual reality
model of the defences - see http://www.4dcanvas.com/portfolio2.html
How to get there: Bus or ferry to Devonport
(Ferry 15 minutes from central city) (Check Rideline)
- with a 15 minute walk to North Head.
How long to allow: 1 hr.
What else to do there: Great views over
Auckland's busy harbour. Cafes and antique shops in Devonport.
Naval Museum at naval base.
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Fort Takapuna
Duck Creek Dams
 What:
Earth dams on
Duck Creek built to supply an adjacent sugar works which is still
operating, but not using the dams. The lower dam is brick faced
internally, and basalt faced on the sea
side. Now in a park.
Where: North Shore 20 minutes from the
city centre. Google
Earth
Web Info: http://www.wguides.com/
city/53/152_163225.cfm
How to get there: Bus (Check Rideline)
or taxi. Turn down Colonial Road to Chelsea Sugar Refinery from Mokoia
Rd, Highbury.
How long to allow: 1 hr.
What else to do there: Walk in the
reserve, look at the birds and fish.
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Mt Eden - Maungawhau
 What: Prehistoric Maori
fortification and town built on a volcanic cone. There is a little
on site interpretation. Be sure to get away from the summit where
modern road and carparks have destroyed the Maori evidence. Look
out for kumara storage pits (see picture).
Where: Central Isthmus - 10 minutes from the
city centre.
Google
Earth
Web Info: http://www.arc.govt.nz/environment/
volcanoes-of-auckland/mt-eden.cfm
How to get there: Bus (Check Rideline)
or taxi.
How long to allow: 1 hr.
What else to do there: Great views over the
inner city and harbour and beyond to the Hauraki Gulf.
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Maungarei Stonefields Reserve 
 What:
Newly created reserve with a remnant of the formerly extensive
stonefields gardens that once surrounded Mt Wellington volcanic
cone.
Where: Reserve off Tidey Road, west of Mt
Wellington Google
Earth
Web Info: -
How to get there: Bus (Check Rideline)
or taxi. Half an hour drive from Auckland central.
How long to allow: 15 mins.
What else to do there: Visit Mt
Wellington cone pa.
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Albert
Barracks Wall, City 
Otuataua Stonefields
St Thomas's Church Ruins
 What: Foundations of a church
built in the 1840's from Rangitoto basalt and mortar made from sea
sand. The mortar weakened and the church eventually collapsed. The
ruins are north east of the new church - also built of
basalt.
Where: Corner
of St Heliers Bay Rd. and Kohimarama Rd. in eastern suburbs of
Auckland Google
Earth
Web Info: -
How to get there: Easiest by car 20 minutes
from
the inner city, or by bus (Check
Rideline)
How long to allow: 15 minutes.
What else to do there: St John's
College buildings, Melanesian
Mission buildings in Mission Bay, cafe scene in Mission Bay.
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Mt Eden Shot Tower
Howick Stockade
 What: Earthworks of a redoubt built
to defend local European settlers in the Maori Wars. There is
little on-site interpretation. Unlike some similar sites in south
Auckland there was no fighting at this site.
Where: On Stockade Hill at the west end of
Howick town centre. Between Mellons Bay Rd and Ridge Rd.
Google
Earth
Web Info: -
How to get there: Bus (Check Rideline)
- 40 minutes from the central city
How long to allow: 15 minutes
What else to do there: Cafes and restaurants in
Howick Village, views to the inner gulf islands, Howick Colonial
Village Park. All Saints Church in Howick, New Zealand's second
oldest wooden church.
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Stony Batter, Waiheke Island
 What: World War II
gun emplacements and magazines. A torch is desirable.Where: Eastern
end of Waiheke. Google
Earth
Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/
page.aspx?id=34076
How to get there: Ferry from downtown
Auckland. You can hire cars and bikes on the island or use the
many taxis and shuttle services.
How long to allow: 2 hours.
What else to do there: Great views over
the gulf, wineries (the island is known for its reds), craft
shops.
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Western
Springs Pump Station
 What: Water
supply beam engine - in original position drawing from a lake formed by
the dammed spring. The engine was recently restored to operating
condition.
![]()
(Mouse over to view video)
Where: Museum
of Transport and Technology, Western Springs An admission charge
applies. Google
Earth
Web Info: http://www.motat.org.nz/exhibitions/early_auckland.htm
IPENZ
Register
How to get there: A ten minute drive
from downtown Auckland via the North Western Motorway taking the
Western Springs turnoff.
How long to allow: 2 hours (for the
museum)
What else to do there: See the rest of
the Museum, not forgetting the aviation and rail sections at an
adjacent site. The springs park
is lovely. The Zoo is nearby (catch the tram).
Hungry archaeologist:
|
Manukau
Timber Company Mill
 What: Foundations
of shoreline steam powered kauri timber mill from the 1890'sWhere: Hinge
Bay Huia. Google
Earth
Web Info: http://archaeopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Hinge_Bay
How to get there: Forty minutes from
city, drive past Huia to the local museum. The site is a marked
walk of 10 minutes from the car park. Good interpretation signs.
How long to allow: 1 hour at the site.
What else to do there: Visit the
museum (open Sunday afternoons), Huia Dam.
Hungry archaeologist:
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Miners Head (Great Barrier Island)
| What: New
Zealand's first mine, 1842-1867, mined for copper. Where: North
western point of the island.
Google Earth 
Web Info: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=34083
How to get there: By boat is the most
practical way. Readily visible from the water.
How long to allow: -
What else to do there: Enjoy the island atmosphere.
The SS Wairarapa wreck is in the next bay to the north east - but
needs to be dived on to be seen. An accessible grave site of the
wreck victims is at Whangapoua Beach. |
Kauri Timber Company timber mill and
tramway, (Great Barrier Island)
Whangaparapara whaling station,
(Great Barrier Island)
Oreville battery, (Great Barrier Island)
|
Guides:
Ewen Cameron,
Bruce Hayward and Graeme Murdoch 2008,
A Field Guide to
Auckland. Godwit
Publishing.
ISBN
1869621514
Art
Deco Auckland
New
Zealand Maori Travel Guide: The tail of the fish / Auckland and Northland.
Tai Tokerau Tourism
While you are in Auckland we
recommend:
Auckland Museum
Historic
Places Trust Auckland Properties
Howick Colonial
Village
National
Maritime Museum
Kawau
Island heritage area: Governor's Mansion House and copper mine.
MOTAT
Museum of Transport and Technology
Devonport and Parnell are heritage
areas in Auckland, Helensville,
Waiuku and Puhoi
are heritage towns.
Cultural
Tours:
Tamaki
Hikoi
Potiki
Adventures
|
What: Harbour fortifications built
from the 19th century Russian scare to the
second world war. Disappearing gun pits, tunnels to magazines.
Good interpretation.
What: Stone defensive
wall of an 1846 military barracks from New Zealand Wars. 
What: Maori prehistoric and historic
gardening and village site with many stone built living and
gardening structures. On-site interpretation is minimal at
present (more is planned) so try to
get a pamphlet before visiting.
What: Shot tower used to
form shotgun pellets by letting molten lead fall through air.