Musick Point

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Musick Point from the north.
Musick Point from the north.

Musick Point (also known as Te Waiarohia in Maori) is a peninsula in Pakuranga, a suburb of Manukau City in New Zealand. It is the headland of the peninsula that forms the eastern shore of the Tamaki River[1] and terminates between the Motukorea Channel and the Tamaki Strait in the Waitemata Harbour. It is named after the aviator Ed Musick.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

The peninsula was originally used by Māori of the Ngaitai iwi (tribe) who dug a ditch dug across the peninsula as part of Waiaohia Pā, which was later abandoned in 1821. The beaches and the sea were plentiful sources of food for the local population.[2]

In 1836, 40,000 acres (160 km²), including the point, were bought by William Thomas Fairburn, a missionary, for 90 blankets, 24 adzes, 24 hoes, 14 spades, 80 Pounds (money), 900 lb (410 kg) of tobacco, 24 combs, and 12 plain irons.[3] The land was later parcelled up and sold on.[2]

Today it is a favorite spot for walking, sightseeing over the harbour and for recreational fishing. A golf course is close by.[1]

[edit] Radio station

Musick Point has long been the site of a radio station. In 1942, a government radio station started operation, the point having been considered an ideal location for the communication technology which had become increasingly important to communicate with ships and aircraft. The station was operated by New Zealand Post, before the the Air Radio was taken over by Civil Aviation Corporation, with the Post Office handling all the maritime services. Later, ownership changed to Telecom NZ Ltd for maritime service, now Telecom Corporation NZ, which is today using the building for provision of cellular services.[2]

During World War II, a secondary radio bunker was also built some distance away in case the main station was bombed from the air.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Fishing: Thank you for the Musick - The New Zealand Herald, Sunday 23 January 2005
  2. ^ a b c d e Musick Point - Early History (from the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) website. Retrieved 2007-10-02.)
  3. ^ Deed No.347 - Auckland District Vii Records (private land purchases), 23 January 1836

[edit] External links

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