Signal Hill (New Zealand) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Signal Hill |
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Signal Hill, viewed from the south, across Otago Harbour. Logan Point quarry is visible to the left, and the suburb of Ravensbourne to the right
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 393 m (1,289 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Error {{native name}}: an IETF language tag as parameter {{{1}}} is required (help) |
| Geography | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| State/Province | Otago |
| District | Dunedin |
Signal Hill is a well-known hill in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. Its Māori name is Te Pahuri o te Rangipohika. The hill is located just north of the Otago Harbour. It stands tall at 393 meters (1289 feet) above sea level.
Several suburbs are located around Signal Hill. Ravensbourne is on its south side. St. Leonards is to the east. Opoho can be found on its northwestern side. To the northwest, you'll find North East Valley. This valley follows Lindsay Creek, which flows into the Water of Leith.
The very southern part of Signal Hill is called Logan Point. This area has been dug up a lot to get gravel for roads. State Highway 88 runs along the bottom of the hill. It follows the edge of the Otago Harbour.
The Centennial Monument
A bit lower down on Signal Hill, at 329 meters high, there's a special monument. This monument celebrates the 100th anniversary of New Zealand in 1940. It's a big structure with two large bronze statues. These statues were designed by F. A. Shurrock and F. W. Staub. They represent "History" and "The Thread of Life." Locals sometimes call them 'the buddhas' because they look a bit like sitting Buddha figures.
Building the Monument
The monument was planned to celebrate 100 years since the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. However, it wasn't built until the 1950s. This delay happened because of the rules and difficulties during World War II.
A large stone from Edinburgh in Scotland is also part of the monument. This stone shows the strong connection between Dunedin and its sister city, Edinburgh.
Signal Hill Reserve
The monument is surrounded by a beautiful park. This park is called a scenic reserve and covers 180 hectares. It started as a smaller park in 1926. Over time, it grew to its current large size.
The reserve is only about five kilometers from central Dunedin. It's a popular spot for both people who live in Dunedin and visitors. From the reserve, you can enjoy amazing views of the whole city.
Recent Events
In October 2006, some bush fires caused a lot of damage. These fires affected the trees planted on the western slopes of Signal Hill.
