Te Pou Hawaiki, former volcano in New Zealand
Te Pou Hawaiki is a volcano site near Auckland, New Zealand, that belongs to a group of volcanoes beneath the Auckland volcanic field. The cone was made of scoria rock, stood low to the ground, and sat about 600 meters from Mount Eden before quarrying later altered its shape.
The cone formed about 28,000 years ago through volcanic eruption, possibly even earlier, and is older than Mount Eden. It was heavily quarried in the early 20th century, greatly altering its shape, and later a bunker was built during World War Two that served as military headquarters in the 1940s.
Te Pou Hawaiki was a sacred site for early Māori settlers where ceremonies took place and soil from their homeland Hawaiki was brought to maintain connection with ancestors. Visitors today can understand how this place held central importance in daily life and in preparing for major journeys through ritual observances.
The site is easily accessible today and serves as a carpark for Auckland College of Education, where visitors can explore the grounds and walk through the altered landscape. The area invites casual walks, and with mild weather and gentle breezes, it offers a pleasant way to discover the history written into the terrain.
A military bunker was built on this site during World War Two and served as headquarters for the army, navy, and air force, but was later damaged by a fire in the 1980s. Today, ventilation shafts from which smoke escaped remain visible, reminding visitors of this hidden wartime history beneath the ground.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
