Mount Victoria (Auckland)

Takarunga
Mount Victoria

Takarunga / Mount Victoria as seen from the south on the Waitemata Harbour, the Devonport ferry terminal in the middle distance.
Highest point
Elevation 87 m (285 ft)
Coordinates 36°49′36″S 174°47′56″E / 36.8266°S 174.7990°E / -36.8266; 174.7990Coordinates: 36°49′36″S 174°47′56″E / 36.8266°S 174.7990°E / -36.8266; 174.7990 
Geography
Location North Island, New Zealand
Geology
Volcanic arc/belt Auckland volcanic field

Takarunga / Mount Victoria is the highest volcano on Auckland's North Shore, rising to 87 m. Its age is currently unknown. Its lava flows now line much of Devonport's waterfront. An important pa once occupied its slopes, and some of the pa's earthworks can still be seen.[1] A scoria mound known as Duders Hill, on Takarunga / Mount Victoria's southern slopes was mostly quarried away. The name Mount Victoria comes from Queen Victoria and the name Takarunga means "the hill standing above". Jules Dumont d'Urville climbed the hill in 1827.[2]

The hill provides panoramic views of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and the inner Hauraki Gulf. Over the years the peak and upper slopes have housed a signal station for shipping,[3] artillery emplacements, farmland, and various concrete army bunkers, some from as early as the 1870s. One bunker now serves as the venue for the Devonport Folk Music Club.[4]

The slopes of Takarunga / Mount Victoria are also home to Devonport Primary School, Takarunga Playcentre, a tennis court, a cemetery, a water reservoir which maintains supply to the area, and a scenic lookout. The old Signalman's House is now home to the Michael King Writers Centre which provides writers-in-residence programmes, hosting for visiting writers, residential workshops for experienced writers, and a series of workshops for young poets and emerging writers.[5] The writer-in-residence programmes are supported by Creative New Zealand and the University of Auckland.[6]

In the 2014 Treaty of Waitangi settlement with the Tamaki Makaurau Collective of 13 Auckland iwi, the volcano was officially named Takarunga / Mount Victoria and ownership was vested to the collective. It is now co-governed by the collective and Auckland Council in common benefit of the iwi "and all other people of Auckland".[7][8][9][10][11][12]

References

  1. ↑ Bulmer, Susan (1994). Sources for the archaeology of the Maaori settlement of the Taamaki volcanic district. Science & Research series, ISSN 0113-3713, number 63. Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation. ISBN 0-478-01552-6. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  2. ↑ Cameron, Ewen; Hayward, Bruce; Murdoch, Graeme (2008). A field guide to Auckland. Random House. p. 149. ISBN 978-1-86962-151-3.
  3. ↑ History of the signalman's house, Michael King Writers’ Centre. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  4. ↑ Devonport Folk Music Club, Devonport Directory. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Readings from Old Devonport and Open Afternoon". Scoop. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "The Michael King Writers' Centre". The Michael King Writers' Centre. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  7. ↑ Dearnaley, Mathew (27 September 2014). "Volcanic cones regain Maori names". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014". New Zealand Legislation. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 registration guideline" (PDF). Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "NZGB decisions - September 2014". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  11. ↑ "Protection of tupuna maunga assured under ownership transfer". Auckland Council. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "New governance structure for treasured tūpuna maunga". Auckland Council. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Mount Victoria Lookout Walk". Visit Devonport. Retrieved 25 October 2014.

Further reading

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