Did you know Mount Roskill was once called Mt Rascal? This intriguing name supposedly refers to a colonial-era livestock thief. He allegedly used Mount Roskill’s peak for grazing stolen sheep and cattle. But let’s explore the true heart of Mount Roskill. We are standing before a majestic volcanic peak. It’s one of many extinct cones dotting Auckland’s isthmus. This magnificent Mount Roskill formed around 20000 years ago. Fiery fountains erupted from two craters building the scoria cone we see today.
Mount Roskill holds immense cultural significance. It is a Tūpuna Maunga an ancestral mountain. For Māori it was known as Pukewhau or Puketāpapa meaning hill covered in rushes and flat-topped hill respectively. Sadly many historic cooking pits and terraces were lost when the southern crater was excavated. A water-supply reservoir now sits in its place. This happened back in 1961.
The mountain’s story continues into the 20th century. George Winstone generously donated 32 acres for Winstone Park in 1925. This was during a period of rapid development around Mount Roskill. A major part of this development was the construction of 1600 sections. They surrounded this very park. The construction of State Highway 20 in 2009 brought further change. Its impact on Mount Roskill caused significant debate. A significant mitigation package aimed to reduce the negative consequences of the highway. A section of the Waikaraka cycleway was also built. It runs parallel to the highway. Its funding faced challenges in 2009. A cost overrun to $2 million drew criticism from local residents. But cycling advocates explained this increased cost. Other elements contributed such as a toilet block landscaping and artwork. The cycleway itself only cost $300000. It finally opened in July 2010.
In 2014 a Treaty of Waitangi settlement granted ownership of Mount Roskill. This was to the Tākimi Collective. The land is held in trust. It benefits Ngā Mana Whenua o Tākimi Makaurau and other Aucklanders. The Tūpuna Maunga Authority now manages Mount Roskill alongside Auckland Council. The upper summit is now permanently closed to private vehicles. Grass now covers this significant area. This was done in 2018 to protect Mount Roskill’s heritage.
So as we stand here at the foot of Mount Roskill we’ve only scratched the surface of its rich and complex history. A place where ancient Māori history meets modern urban life. A testament to the enduring spirit of this remarkable peak.