The Meola Reef, or Te Tokaroa Reef in Māori ('toka'='rock', 'roa'='long') is a lava flow forming a reef peninsula across part of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, New Zealand. It was formed 20,000 years ago from the final portion of a 10 kilometer long lava flow that originated from the distant Three Kings volcano. The reef extends for over 2 kilometres across the Waitemata Harbour, to within 500 metres of Kauri Point, on the northern shore.[1][2][3][4]
The reef is easily seen in the west from the Auckland Harbour Bridge at low tide, when much of it lies exposed. The best viewpoint is at Kauri Point, the headland to the east of Kendall Bay. The portion of the reef close to shore is covered by mangroves, and further out, the rocks are covered by rock oysters, then bare. Strong footwear is needed to walk on the lava.
Located between the Point Chevalier and Westmere suburbs, it was the site of the city's tip for many years.[5] This has now been capped[6] and replaced by a 15 ha public reserve, with mangrove swamps in the streams and tidal salt marshes either side.[7][8]
In the 1970s, plans for a Second Harbour Crossing from the reef to Birkenhead were shelved after public outcry.[9]