The Pumphouse

Pupuke Moana (Lake Pupuke) has featured previously in blips, and is another of the Auckland Volcanic Field volcanoes.

The eruptive sequence of Pupuke is unique in Auckland. The early activity (200,000 to 250,000 years ago) created a low “shield volcano”, of thin basalt lava flows from two vents, which have since joined to form the present lake which is vaguely heart shaped rather than round. These initial eruptions were followed by violent “wet” eruptions, presumed to be due to water entering the vents and on reaching the rising molten magma it engendered the massive explosions which created a large crater (105 hectares) surrounded by a tuff ring. A small scoria mound (34 m above sea level) was created towards the end of the Pupuke eruptions; it was almost totally removed by Smales quarry. The hole which has been left has filled with water (from rain), and is exceptionally dangerous, yet attracts young men to dive into it. Some have drowned; thought to be the result of cramps engendered by the extreme cold of the water.

A Maori myth surrounding the lake tells of a tupua (demon) couple; children of the fire gods. After quarreling, and cursing Mahuika (the fire-goddess), their home on the mainland was destroyed by Matahoe, god of earthquakes and eruptions, on Mahuika's behalf. Lake Pupuke resulted from the destruction, while Rangitoto rose from the sea as their place of exile. The mists surrounding Rangitoto at certain times are considered the tears of the tupua couple for their former home.

The Takapuna Pumphouse is now a local theatre, and music events centre. The brick building seen here is the second pumphouse, replacing (in 1906) the original pumphouse built in 1894 on the shores of the lake to supply fresh water to the local area. As a result of increasing demand, the water level of the lake fell and water quality decreased. The use of the lake as a fresh water supply was discontinued in 1944 when new supplies were sourced from reservoirs in the Waitakere Ranges, to the west of the city. This second pump house became a protected building (Category II) under the  New Zealand Historic Places Trust in 1983. It is maintained as a theatre with three performance spaces including an outdoor amphitheatre. There is also a café adjacent to the old pump house.

The pumphouse is built inside the tuff ring, and the buildings behind are on the rise of the tuff ring on the south eastern side of the lake.

Today's extra photo is the sunset from the apartment over the top of the Waitakeres, where water is sourced for much of the Auckland City