Historic Otuataua Stonefields
Stepping into another world
The landscape is desolate and rocky - a stark reminder of Auckland's volcanic past. Walking through Otuataua Stonefields is like stepping into another world, yet just a 10 minute drive away, one million people go about their daily lives.
Otuataua stonefields
Less than 200 years ago the 8,000 hectares of volcanic stonefields in the Auckland area were intensively cultivated. The stones flung out in successive volcanic eruptions were used to demarcate garden plots and to warm the soil.
Crops of taro and kumara which grew readily and all year round in tropical homelands needed careful handling in the colder climate of New Zealand. Using stones to warm the soil extended the growing season by one month. They also acted as a mulch helping keep the soil moist.
Reminders of the past
On the isthmus almost all the remains of these old gardens and settlements have been covered up by Auckland City's roads and pavements, buildings and backyard gardens; to the south they have also been largely built over, or quarried away.The 100 hectares making up the Otuataua stonefields is one of only two major remnants left of the original 8000ha.
As well as the evidence of Maori occupation, the land contains a record of over 100 years of European farming. Spectacular dry stone walls criss-cross the area, built 100 years ago to both clear the stone and fence the farms. When Otuataua stonefields came under threat of quarrying, the land was purchased in a joint project between Manukau City, the Department of Conservation and Auckland Regional Council.
Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve
Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, created in 2001, is managed by the Manukau City Council. Otuataua is an important archaeological site and educational resource where one can see clearly how people used to live and interact with their environment. Apart from signs of successive human habitation, visitors can also see examples of the native cucumber and the last remnants of Auckland's forests of titoki and kanuka.