The volcanic cones of Auckland: landmarks or quarries

Abstract

The arrival of the Maori some 1, 000 years ago saw extensive occupation on, and contest over, this isthmus which divides the waters of the Waitemata and Manukau harbours. Each of the volcanic cones served as paa and were extensively developed as residential areas and defensive fortifications with fertile gardens on the lower slopes. The beautiful inner Hauraki Gulf with it's numerous islands; the Tamaki Isthmus with volcanic cones and fertile soils; the sheltered anchorages and narrow portage between east and west coasts held a strong attraction to the European voyagers and later, the settlers. At the insistence of Auckland's founder, Captain W Hobson, the city developed rapidly and for a time became the seat of parliament before it's subsequent relocation to Wellington in February 1865. As the city developed, valleys were filled and land reclaimed to provide wharves in replacement to jetties. Roads were pushed outward from the town to provide access to and from the developing suburbs. Swamps were drained and filled to provide for housing and industry. Railroads and tramways were developed and more recently, airports created. A basic requirement of these developments, and one which has impacted significantly on the volcanic cones of the Auckland landscape has been the need of a cheap, convenient, fill and drainage material: Scoria. The objectives of this dissertation are: 2.1 To examine the attitudes of our society towards landscape features of Auckland, in comparison to the need for development. 2.2 To examine the avenues by which these dominant landscape features may be protected from further destruction. 2.3 To present the recommendations of this dissertation to the Manukau City Council, as a submission to the current review of the district scheme.