Once upon a time this spot was not covered by housing. Today we explore Cemetery Crater. It is one of Auckland’s many volcanoes. This one has a unique story.
Cemetery Crater is an explosion crater. It is roughly 200 metres wide. You will find it east of Crater Hill. It is hard to spot in aerial photos. This is because of its shallowness.
The crater’s story has twists. It lost its volcano status in 1968. But in 2011, detailed mapping revealed a depression. A surrounding rim became visible. So, Cemetery Crater was again a volcano.
The Māori called this area Te Pā-o-te-tū-tahi-atu. Or Pā o Tahi. This name means the pā was only temporary. The flat land was not ideal. It was a fortified pā site. Tāmaki Māori used it long ago.
Ernie Searle first recognized Cemetery Crater as a volcano in the 1960s. He named it after the nearby cemetery on Puhinui Rd. The Southwestern Motorway now separates the crater and the cemetery.
Today, housing and a park cover the crater. The park is called Pā o Tahi or Hillside South Park.
Auckland sits on a vast volcanic field. There are 53 volcanoes here. Auckland is the most volcanic city in the world. Magma could push through anywhere. This could form a new cone. It could happen next week. Or next century.
An eruption here is unlikely. But the terrain is fascinating. Many volcanic sites have obvious cones. Mount Eden is a good example. Others have eroded or formed lakes. Lake Pupuke is one of these.
Fourteen of Auckland’s volcanoes have historical significance. They are known as Tūpuna Maunga. This means ancestral mountains. The Tūpuna Maunga Authority manages these mountains. It is a partnership between Māori and Auckland Council.
Cemetery Crater is just one piece of Auckland’s volcanic puzzle. Its history is complex. It was once a pā, then a forgotten volcano, and now a rediscovered landmark. It is a reminder of the powerful forces that shaped this land.
Next time you pass by, remember Cemetery Crater. Imagine the explosion that created it. Think of the Māori who lived here. Consider the science that brought it back to life. This small crater has a big story to tell.