Dream of standing on the shores of Waiake Beach. The Tor rises majestically from the water. It is more than just a rock. It is an echo of ancient stories.
The Tor, also known as Rock Isle, is a coastal stack presque-isle. This means it’s almost an island. At high tide, the connection to the mainland disappears. The Tor becomes a small, isolated island.
Waiake, the wider area around The Tor, carries a rich history. Its name means Eternal Spring. This refers to a pool upstream of Deep Creek. It was a prime spot for catching kahawai fish. Another interpretation suggests Waters of Akeake. Akeake refers to the broadleaf hopbush.
Māori settlement in the Auckland Region began centuries ago. The Tāmaki Māori people settled the North Shore. Hoturoa, captain of the Tainui waka, found safe anchorage. He guided his canoe to the Waiake Lagoon, now Deep Creek.
The headland near The Tor was a pā site. Pā are fortified settlements. Stone adzes were found at the mouth of Deep Creek. Waka remains were also discovered in Deep Creek. Lonely Track Road served as an ancient ara. Ara means pathway. It connected the Waitematā Harbour to east coast streams.
A poignant story surrounds The Tor. Moeroa, a chief’s beautiful daughter, often sat on its cliffs. She sang with tūī and korimako birds and wove mats. Tragedy struck when the cliffs gave way. Moeroa fell to her death. The island then became tapu, or sacred. This likely happened in the early 19th century.
Europeans arrived in the 19th century. John Logan Campbell bought land in 1864. He searched for coal near The Tor but was unsuccessful. The area had various names. These included McGowan’s Beach and Rock Isle Beach.
Mr. Long, a British farmer, bought land around Waiake and Torbay around 1880. He named his farm Rock Island. Later, Captain Charles Cholmondeley-Smith owned the land. He grew tobacco and established the Glenvar Wine Company. His sons operated a sawmill processing kauri logs. They also established a flaxmill.
The Cholmondeley-Smith family built the first wharf on Waiake Beach around 1880. Ferries became the main transport. Waiake Beach was known as McGowan’s Beach in the early 20th century. This was after Anstruther McGowan, a Scottish resident.
The Tor remains a significant landmark. It connects us to Māori history and European settlement. It reminds us of Moeroa’s tragic story. The Tor is a place of beauty and remembrance.
Now, as you stand here, think about the stories The Tor holds. Hear the echoes of the past. Feel the connection to the land and sea. The Tor stands as a timeless sentinel. It watches over Waiake Beach. It whispers tales of Eternal Spring.