Volcano Views

Volcano Views

Auckland is built on and around 48 volcanoes, and the tops of many of them provide sweeping views of the city. One Tree Hill, the largest of Auckland's extinct volcanoes, was the site of an early Maori settlement. Mt. Eden, the highest volcano on the Auckland isthmus, is probably the most popular, and several bus tours include this central site. Rangitoto Island has an even better vista. This volcano emerged from the sea just 600 years ago, no doubt much to the wonder of the Maori people living next door on Motutapu Island. Take a ferry to the island; then either a short ride or an hour's walk to the top will give you a 360-degree view of the city and the Hauraki Gulf islands.

It is thought that Maori settled on the volcanoes beginning in the 14th century, taking advantage of the fertile soils. There's evidence that in the 16th century, the Maori used the cones as defensive pa (fortified villages). Evidence of complex earthworks can be seen on Mt. Eden and One Tree Hill where Maori cleared volcanic stone to develop garden plots and form the terraces that are features of pa.