Defending New Zealand

Disappearing gun, North Head, Auckland

This topic brings together the coast defence installations built to defend New Zealand from naval attack in the period 1880 to 1945. During their time of operation they proved to be an effective deterrent against attacks. The advent of air warfare made these forts redundant and most were decommissioned by the 1950’s. Godley Head continued because of compulsory military training and last fired a gun in 1959. DOC has around 30 installations  on lands it manages.

Sites

The following representative selection are actively managed and developed for visitors:

Northland

• Waitata Point Coastal Battery, 1942
• Cape Brett
• Bream Head Scenic Reserve, 1942 

Auckland

• North Head 1870-1957 includes gun batteries, 8 inch disappearing gun, 1885 barracks and kitchen, WWII officers and NCOs quarters, fire command post, engine rooms and searchlights.
• Fort Takapuna 1886: includes 6 inch gun, fort, officers mess, barracks, engine rooms and searchlights.
• CM Base Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island 1942: includes Boat ramp and mine base site.
• Motutapu Island, 1938: includes battery, camp, gun emplacement, pill boxes and US naval magazines.
• Motuihe Island, 1872: includes human quarantine station 1872 which was converted to a POW camp during WWI, HMNZS Tamaki Naval Base (1941), water tank tower, wharf shelter.
• Waiheke Island: Stony Batter Gun Emplacements, construction began 1942.

Waikato

• Cuvier Island Radar Station
• Hot Water Beach Radar Site

Wellington

• Gardens Battery, 1842-1894
• Makara Gun Emplacements
• Anti-aircraft defence, Matiu/Somes Island
• Immigration Barracks, Matiu/Somes Island, 1919
• Meat Safe, Matiu/Somes Island, c1914

Nelson/Marlborough

• Blumine Island, 1942. Includes 2 gun emplacements, observation posts and barracks area.
• Maud Island Gun Emplacement, 1942.
• Long Island Anti-Submarine Fixed Defence Station, 1942
• Pillar Point Radar Station site, 1942.
• Stephens Island Radar Station site, 1942

Canterbury

• Godley Head Reserve, Lyttelton, 1939
• Ripapa Island Historic Reserve
• Mount Pleasant Heavy AAA Battery, Mt Pleasant, Port Hills, Christchurch, 1943
• Adderley Head Signal Station, 1867, Coast Watch, WW I and WW II.
• Lyttelton Scenic Reserve, Two Strong Points, 1942

Southland

• Ranui Coastwatchers Lookout Hut, 1941-45
• Carnley Harbour Lookout Hut, 1941-45
• Bluff Hill Coastal Defence Camp and Gun Emplacement, 1942

Further reading:

Corbett, Peter D. (2003). A First Class Defended Port: The History of the Coast Defences of Auckland, its Harbour and Approaches. (Department of Conservation. Available from Auckland Conservancy, Department of Conservation).

Cooke, Peter. (2000). Defending New Zealand: Ramparts on the Sea 1840s-1850s, Parts 1 & 2. Defence of New Zealand Study Group. (Available from petercooke@paradise.net.nz or fax +64 4 934 6817)

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