Takarunga

PĀ

Takarunga means ‘hill standing above’, which is in reference to its height above adjacent Takararo / Mt Cambria.  Sadly, Takararo was completely leveled by quarrying and is now the flat park known as Cambria Reserve.

Takarunga was an important Māori pā site for many years with terracing and kūmara pits still visible.  

The tihi (summit) sits at 66 meters high. 

RECENT HISTORY

European settlers named the Maunga Mt Victoria, after Queen Victoria.  Another early European name for the Maunga was Flagstaff Hill, after a signal station for the Port of Auckland was sited on the summit in 1841. 

Takarunga has been a public reserve since 1880.

Takarunga was used for military purposes until after the second world war.  There is a a muzzle-loader gun fort from 1885.

There is also a buried reservoir at the top of the Maunga which is marked by the colourful ‘mushroom’ vents.

GEOLOGY

The cone of Takarunga was formed by fire-fountaining of frothy scoria from the central crater.  Lava from the southern base of the volcano flowed out to create a stretch basalt rock which reaches to the Devonport foreshore.

During the eruption, the south side of the crater was breached by lava flows. Scoria from the top of Takarunga was carried down the mountain in these lava flows and came to rest near the south end of modern-day Church St. This small mound would become known as Duders Hill, until it was quarried away in the early twentieth century.

The dark rocks on the Devonport foreshore between Torpedo Bay and Devonport Wharf are the southern lava flows from Takarunga.  

VEHICLE-FREE TIHI 

The tihi (summit) and the summit road at Takarunga were permanently closed to all private motor vehicles including motorbikes and scooters in March 2018. 

To Mana Whenua, the tihi of a Maunga holds great spiritual and cultural significance and has always been a place to be treated with respect and reverence. Honouring these values alongside creating an enhanced experience for pedestrians is at the heart of the Authority’s decision to make the tihi vehicle-free.

People who have limited mobility and are unable to walk to the tihi, and their drivers of people, can obtain an access code on the day of their visit to open the barrier arm at the summit road entrance.

Call 09 379 1340 to request a vehicle access code.

TIHI (SUMMIT) UPGRADES

The Authority’s Integrated Management Plan (IMP) recognises that the tihi is the most sacred part of the Maunga and the proposed works aim to improve the mauri of the Maunga by decreasing hard surfaces, decluttering the space, and introducing native restoration planting. Additionally, the works seek to improve accessibility and the manuhiri (visitor) experience.

Scope of Work

• The scope of works includes the
• removal of the existing carpark and survey trig (in partnership with Land Information New Zealand),
• construction of a new vehicle turning bay and accessible carpark,
• pedestrian paths, accessible furniture, and planting.
• Removal of the carpark recognises that a large parking space is no longer required given that the tihi is a predominantly pedestrian environment.
• The RSA war memorial monument will be relocated to the Devonport Primary school where it will be more visible and actively cared for.
• The two geographical plinths features will be integrated to form one feature, and the larger plinth will be updated to include te reo Māori names for places.

Construction dates

Works will commence on 18 November 2024 and will be delivered in three consecutive stages (see below). The works will be completed by late January 2025 with construction occurring Monday to Friday (and Saturday mornings, where required) during standard work hours to minimise disruption to neighbours. Please note timelines may be affected by weather and or supply issues.  Construction will stop over the Christmas break 20 December 2024 and recommence 6 January 2025.

Stage 1: Formalise pedestrian path to Port of Auckland signal station.

Stage 2: Remove redundant carpark and construction of new permeable pedestrian path. 

Stage 3: Construction of vehicle turning bay and accessible carpark.

VISITOR ACCESS

Access to the tihi (summit) will continue during construction unless signposted. The health and safety of visitors is important, therefore, please follow the instructions of onsite construction staff and the temporary signage in place.

PARKING

Visitor car parks are inside the Kerr Street entrance to the Maunga.

Parking time limits are enforced to give all visitors equal parking opportunity.

Main entrance gate opening times

Summer: 7am-8.30pm
Winter: 7am-7pm

Times align with daylight-savings.

LOCATION

16 Kerr Street, Devonport, Auckland.