Maungarei facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Wellington / Maungarei |
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|---|---|
| Mount Wellington | |
Maungarei / Mount Wellington
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 135 m (443 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Auckland, North Island, New Zealand |
| Parent range | Auckland volcanic field |
| Geology | |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Auckland volcanic field |
Maungarei / Mount Wellington is a special volcano in Auckland, New Zealand. It stands 135 meters tall. This volcano is part of the Auckland volcanic field. It is the youngest volcano on land in Auckland. It was formed about 10,000 years ago. Maungarei is the largest of Auckland's scoria cones. It has a round base with a flat top edge and three small craters. You can find it in the Mount Wellington suburb in East Auckland.
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Maungarei / Mount Wellington: Auckland's Young Volcano
What is Maungarei?
Maungarei is a volcanic peak. It is a type of volcano called a scoria cone. These cones are made from bits of lava that explode from the ground. They pile up around the vent. Maungarei is the biggest of these cones in Auckland. It has a nearly circular base. Its top edge is quite flat. There are also three small craters on the volcano.
A Historic Pā Site
Long ago, Maungarei / Mount Wellington was used as a pā. A pā is a fortified Māori village or settlement. People lived on the volcano from at least the year 1400 AD. The sides of the mountain, especially on the eastern part, show signs of this history. You can still see old food storage pits there. There are also terraced areas where houses once stood.
The Mountain's Names
The name Maungarei comes from the Māori language. It means "the watchful mountain." It can also mean "the mountain of Reipae." Reipae was a famous ancestress from the Tainui people. She traveled to the Northland Region by changing into a bird. Later, European settlers named the mountain Mount Wellington. They named it after the Duke of Wellington.
Water Supply for Auckland
In 1963, a very large water reservoir was built near the top of the volcano. This reservoir could hold 45,100 cubic meters of water. At that time, it was the biggest reservoir in the city. Today, it is still the fourth largest. This reservoir helps supply water to several Auckland suburbs. These include Glen Innes, Saint Johns, Saint Heliers, Kohimarama, and Glendowie.
In 2014, an important agreement was made. This was part of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement. The volcano's ownership was given to the Tamaki Makaurau Collective. This group includes 13 Auckland iwi (Māori tribes). The volcano is now officially called Maungarei / Mount Wellington. It is managed together by the collective and the Auckland Council. This is done for the benefit of the iwi and all other people in Auckland.
Summit Access Today
Since 2018, the very top of Maungarei / Mount Wellington has been open only to people walking. A barrier was put across the road that used to lead to the summit. This means cars can no longer drive to the top. This change helps protect the mountain and makes it safer for walkers.
