Maungakiekie

Also known as One Tree Hill, this volcanic cone not far from Maungawhau (from where I took this picture) once had a sole pine tree at its summit, which is 182 m above sea level. At the top is an obelisk erected according to the wishes of Sir John Campbell Logan, who donated the land surrounding Maungakiekie, which had formed his farm. The obelisk was to commemorate his admiration for Maori, and there is bronze statue of a Maori warrior in front of the obelisk. Sir John's grave is beside the obelisk.

Oral tradition has it that a totara stood at the top of the cone. At the time of British colonisation, a lone pohutukawa is said to have stood there. It was chopped down by a settler in 1852. Sir John tried unsuccessfully to re establish indigenous trees, and imported radiata pine were used as shelter. Eventually there were just two pines surviving.

Around 1960, one of these was felled, possibly for firewood. Throughout my awareness of Maungakiekie, there was the solitary pine. However, in 1994 the tree was attacked by a Maori protester on the anniversary (28 October) of the Declaration of Independence made in 1835 by Maori and settlers (from Britain). A further attack in 2000, left the tree unable to survive, leading to its removal.

Since then more attempts have been made to re establish pohutukawa or totara on the summit, with as yet no success. So, One Tree Hill is without any tree.

The large white buildings below the volcanic cone are Green Lane Hospital on the left, and National Womens Hospital. Green Lane is now a day treatment and outpatient service, and National Womens, along with the inpatient services from green lane have moved to the enlarged Auckland City Hospital.