Taurere

The first volcano for a while. Today was my first day with the Urgent Response Service. This morning I went out with a nurse to assess someone for the purpose of deciding whether to formally refer to a colleague for assessment under the Mental Health Act. Because I believed that she did warrant our intervention in her best interests, we had to wait at the home for a long time for the colleague to arrive.

While waiting, I noticed this volcanic cone in the near distance, and felt sure it was one of Auckland's fifty volcanoes.Since getting home, I have identified it as Taurere (which means 'loved one flown away'). It is possible, even from this angle, to see evidence of the terracing made by pre-Pakeha Maori. There was an extensive Pa on this cone.

Taurere is believed to have erupted (along with four or five other volcanoes) about 32,000 years ago. It was named Taylor's Hill by early settlers, and the descendants of Richard Taylor (owner of this cone in the 19th century) donated Taurere to the City Council in 1924. As with most of the old volcanic cones, it is now a public reserve with free access to all.