Puketaapapa Cone, also referred to as Pukeiti, is less than 10 metres above the
surrounding lava rock base with a small 12m wide symmetrical saucer-shaped
crater, making it the smallest volcano in Auckland. Note: As the upper
area is considered sacred, please refrain from walking on it, by keeping
to the base area of the cone. Pukeiti is the mountain to which the
Makaurau Marae residents refer to when recounting their
whakapapa (genealogy) - pronounced faka papa
Prior to the volcanic eruptions, this area was a rolling flat plain which
composed of Pliocene and Pleistocene age silts and clays
Europeans created long drystone walls to divide the land up into farm blocks
The criss-crossing of drystone walls can be seen across the field
Stone walls were also used as enclosures to pen animals and protect
orchard trees from being eaten
Flowering Gorse (Ulex europea) - probably New Zealand's most common weed.
It was introduced and used for hedging by pioneer farmers. It is considered
a pasture weed, as it helps native forest to spread. Birds attracted to gorse
for cover, leave native plant seeds behind in their droppings, providing
shelter and nutrients (being a nitrogen fixing plant) while making it difficult
for sheep and cattle to eat the new seedlings. Eventually the native plants
grow up and shade out the gorse which needs full light to thrive and
then die off under native forest
A unique feature of the lava fields is that they lack any surface streams. Rain
drains away quickly, creating freshwater springs and swampy ground around
the edges of the fields as it emerges from beneath the lava flows
Maori were attracted to this area because of the rich volcanic ash soils, the
drainage patterns, the unique micro-environments created by the rock
and the closeness of the sea which provided seafood resources
This 30-45 minute moderate walk requires comfortable shoes with good support
around the ankles as this area has some uneven surfaces
The late afternoon light create great silhouettes
You are welcome to copy any of these pictures
but please credit the photographer
Suzette Bothma
or add a link to this page
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that contains any material that is in any way offensive
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