Picture this. You stand before the remnants of McLennan Hills. A once-mighty volcano. Now mostly gone. But its story remains.
McLennan Hills also known as Te Aponga o Tainui is a significant part of Auckland’s volcanic history. It was part of the Auckland volcanic field. Before European settlement it was much larger. A cluster of cratered scoria mounds. These mounds reached heights of up to 45 meters.
Imagine the scene. Before the quarries came. Before the greenhouses. Before the houses. These hills served as important pā. Fortified settlements in pre-European times. Their strategic position between the Waitematā Harbour and the Manukau Harbour was crucial. Protecting vital pathways.
A 1940 aerial photo reveals what was lost. A main crater about 100 meters wide. Another around 50 meters. Several smaller craters. These are now part of the story. They’re etched in historical photographs. Reminders of what once was.
The European settlement of Auckland drastically changed McLennan Hills. The scoria cone was quarried. Its material used for construction. The land was repurposed. First for greenhouses. Then finally for housing. The past is woven into the present. The hills are gone but their memory remains. A tangible part of Auckland’s landscape. A silent witness to centuries of change.
So today as you stand here reflect on the story of McLennan Hills. Imagine its past. A powerful volcano. A strategic pā. A source of building materials. Now a residential area. The hills may be gone but the layers of their history remain. A valuable part of Auckland’s heritage. They stand as a testament to the ever-changing landscape of this city.