East Tāmaki

“Te Puke o Tara, the Hill of Tara.” These words echoed in my mind as we stand here in East Tāmaki. East Tāmaki. A place where the whispers of ancient chiefs mingle with the hum of modern industry. Before the concrete and steel, before the factories and warehouses, this land held a different kind of wealth. The rich volcanic soil nurtured gardens, and fresh water bubbled from springs. The Māori people thrived here, particularly around the volcanic cones of Te Puke o Tara (Smales Mountain) and Mātangi nui (Greenmount). Imagine the bustling pā, the fortified village, atop Smales Mountain. Picture the paramount chief, Tara Te Irirangi, surveying his domain. This was a place of power, a place of history. East Tāmaki wasn’t always a hub of industry. Up until the 1960s, dairy farms dotted the landscape. The land was known as “Farnsworth” back then, a far cry from the industrial powerhouse it is today. East Tāmaki now boasts over 2,000 businesses, contributing billions to New Zealand’s economy. It’s a constant reminder of Auckland’s ever-evolving nature. Yet, traces of the past remain. On Smales Mountain, you can still find remnants of that ancient pā, a stone field garden, an early church, and a farmhouse. These are the echoes of a time when life moved at a different pace. A more recent landmark, the Fo Guang Shan Temple, stands as a testament to East Tāmaki’s diverse and evolving cultural landscape. When it opened in 2007, it was the largest Buddhist temple in New Zealand. East Tāmaki represents a fascinating blend of old and new. From the ancient pā of Tara Te Irirangi to the modern Fo Guang Shan Temple, it tells a story of transformation and resilience. As you explore this unique suburb, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. The whispers of the past are still here, waiting to be heard.