Mt Hobson Remuwera management plan

Contents | Introduction | Statutory framework | Council framework | History | Natural and physical environment | Enhancement and development opportunities | Management objectives and policies | Implementation | Appendices

4.0 History

The following describes Mt Hobson-Remuwera in the context of the historical background of the isthmus and highlights the key historical events of particular relevance to the cone.

The Auckland area (Tamaki-makau-rau meaning ‘Tamaki of a hundred lovers’) has a long history of Maori occupation. The volcanic cones had significant functional purposes in terms of defence and provision of food on the fertile volcanic soil. They became "important focal points at the hub of expansive garden systems" (Cameron, Hayward & Murdoch 1997).

According to tradition, the first human occupants of the region were the Turehu, referred to as fair skinned, clever and resourceful and capable of superhuman feats. While the iwi of the region claim descent from the Turehu, their specific tribal identity is generally based on the ancestral waka (canoe) that visited the region during the 14^th Century, leaving behind place names and people from which individual tribal identities developed.

By 1720, the Waiohua people (descendants of the Tainui) dominated Tamaki-makau-rau. A Waiohua chief, Kiwi Tamaki, occupied Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) the main pa site, which was originally fortified by a Ngati Awa chief, and also held many other fortified volcanic cones including Remuwera. The ancient name of Remuwera is Ohinerangi ‘the dwelling place of Hinerangi’. Its later Maori name of Remuwera, is derived from Remu-wera, meaning ‘burnt edge’ or ‘the burnt hem of a garment’. This relates to an incident in the 1700’s when a young Hauraki chieftainess visiting Kiwi Tamaki with a Hauraki chief, was killed and eaten by the Waiohua inhabitants of the pa. The name of ‘Remuwera’ was originally given to the hill itself, although a contraction of this name – ‘Remuera’, has since been applied to the area in general.

The Waiohua dominance was challenged and destroyed by invasions from Ngati Paoa (Hauraki) and Ngati Whatua (Kaipara). This marked an unsettled time of warfare during which, in 1741, Kiwi Tamaki was killed in battle and Te Taou (a Ngati Whatua tribe) assumed control of all Kiwi’s pa sites.

During the 1820’s, a series of attacks by Nga Puhi, lead by Honga Hika whose warriors were armed with muskets, left the isthmus and Gulf islands uninhabited until the 1830’s when Ngati Paoa began returning to Waiheke Island. By the time of the arrival of the first European settlers in 1840 there were only a few pockets of Maori settlement with Tamaki-makau-rau held by the Ngati Whatua under the leadership of Te Kawau.

In 1844, the Remuwera feast took place where Hobson met with Te Kawau. The feast was intended as a sign of Waikato mana and a reminder of the continuing power and influence of Maori in the area. The Remuwera feast is said to be one of the largest ever held in Aotearoa and was attended by 4000 Maori from 17 tribes who camped near Remuwera.

Remuwera retains evidence of a tightly fortified pa on the summit of the hill. Many of the terraces, ditch defences, storage pits and middens from this period are still clearly visible around the cones crest, except in the north west where a large flat topped reservoir is buried. Its western slopes are thought to have been extensive hillside kumara gardens. Appendix 2 contains further information on archaeological sites.

In 1880, John Logan Campbell attempted to buy the land around Orakei, including the slopes of Mt Hobson–Remuwera, but was unsuccessful. During Campbell’s excursion to Remuwera to seek permission to purchase the slopes and surrounding area, he ascended the summit and from this vantage point "gazed on the wonderful panorama which lay revealed to my sight for the first time" (Campbell 1881). This further convinced him that he had found the perfect site for the new capital.

Mt Hobson-Remuwera was eventually sold to George Graham of the Royal Engineers who bought it as part of a larger block in 1844. However, after investigation of his ownership claims by the Crown in 1847, the Crown retained that part of the land which now forms the Mt Hobson Domain. The hill was named in honour of Captain William Hobson, the first Governor of Auckland. It was the first hill Hobson climbed after his arrival.

Rock was excavated from the cone in 1877 and a small quarry operated on the northern side from 1914 to 1928. The presence of hawthorn hedges suggests that farming activities also took place on the hill.

Between 1942 and 1944, the U.S. No. 4 Mobile Hospital existed on the flat area at the base of the southern slopes of the cone. The concrete base of the Mobile Hospital is still present today.

In 1900 the first of three high level water reservoirs was constructed on the summit for bulk water supply purposes. The second was installed in 1935 and the third in 1955 which was constructed on Mt Hobson Lane along with a pumping station. Originally these were administered by the Auckland Regional Council (previously Auckland Regional Authority). As of 1992, Watercare Services took over their operation and maintenance.

A daffodil field was planted on the northern slopes of Mt Hobson-Remuwera in 1948 following a suggestion from the Remuera and Meadowbank Garden Club. The Club organised an appeal for gift bulbs and Council undertook the planting. It was felt such planting would make an attractive feature and help to stabilise topsoil on the steep slopes. A stone seat was subsequently constructed overlooking the daffodils as a memorial to Remuera youth who fell in the Second World War. A bronze plaque in the back rest states that the seat "was given by the residents of Remuera in memory of boys who played on the slopes of this mountain and who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II". It was felt that many parents who lost sons would sit at the memorial when the daffodils were in bloom, as an act of remembrance. Construction was completed in 1958.

The cone is now grazed by cattle with access provided to pedestrians for informal, passive activities. These include viewing the city and harbour from the summit and vantage points on the cone.