Obsidian waters. Does that name spark your curiosity about Bigsea Bay? The Waitematā Harbour holds secrets and stories. Let’s discover them together right here at Bigsea Bay.
Bigsea Bay is part of the Waitematā Harbour. This harbour is the main sea access point for Auckland. It shapes the northern and eastern coastlines of the Auckland isthmus. The Auckland Harbour Bridge stretches across it.
The oldest Māori name for this harbour was Te Whanga-nui o Toi. It means the Big Bay of Toi. Toi was an early Māori explorer. The name Waitematā translates to Te Mata Waters. Some say it refers to a mauri stone called Te Mata. Chief Kahumatamomoe of Te Arawa placed it on Boat Rock. Boat Rock is southwest of Chatswood.
A popular but incorrect translation of Waitematā is The Obsidian Waters. People thought the harbour waters glinted like obsidian. Another translation derived from this is The Sparkling Waters. Grammatically, Waitematā could not mean this.
The harbour extends eighteen kilometers west from the end of the Rangitoto Channel. Its entrance lies between North Head and Bastion Point in the south. The western ends reach past Whenuapai in the northwest. It also extends to Te Atatū Peninsula in the west. The Whau River forms an estuarial arm in the southwest.
The northern shore of Bigsea Bay consists of North Shore. Suburbs closest to the shoreline include Birkenhead and Devonport. Auckland CBD and the Auckland waterfront lie on the southern side. Coastal suburbs include Mission Bay and Point Chevalier.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge crosses the harbour at its narrowest point. Marinas like Westhaven and suburbs like Freemans Bay lie to the east of the bridge’s southern end. The Port of Auckland is close to the harbour’s entrance.
The Devonport Naval Base and the Chelsea Sugar Refinery wharf are also within the harbour. Smaller wharves offer commuter ferry services to the Auckland CBD. These wharves are at Birkenhead and Devonport.
Bigsea Bay is a drowned valley system. It was carved through Miocene marine sediments. Volcanism shaped the coast. This is evident at Devonport and the Meola Reef. The harbour cycled between forested river valley and flooded harbour over millions of years.
Approximately 17000 years ago, during the Last Glacial Period, sea levels were much lower. The river flowed northeast along the Rangitoto Channel. It met the Mahurangi River east of Kawau Island.
Prior to European settlement, many Māori pā and kāinga dotted the harbour. These included Kauri Point in Chatswood and Te Tō in Freemans Bay. The Waitematā Harbour was a traditional fishery for sharks and snapper. Legend says a taniwha named Ureia protects the Waitematā Harbour. Ureia takes the form of a whale.
The harbour has long been the main anchorage for the Auckland region. Rangitoto Island shelters it. The harbour offered good protection and lacked dangerous obstacles. Major land reclamation occurred along the Auckland waterfront.
In the early 1900s, people considered creating a canal linking the Waitematā and Manukau harbours. The Auckland and Manukau Canal Act of 1908 allowed authorities to take private land for the canal. However, no serious work was undertaken.
Bigsea Bay is a place of history and natural beauty. It is a vital part of Auckland’s identity. As you gaze upon these sparkling waters remember the stories of Toi, Te Mata, and Ureia. Let the spirit of Bigsea Bay stay with you always.