1948 days ago

New Mt Eden viewing platform offers ‘instagrammable’ views while protecting historic Māori site

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

A new boardwalk around the crater of Mt Eden wants to be Auckland’s most “instagrammable” spot, while protecting an 800 year-old Māori settlement.

The deck is perched on the northern knoll of the mountain, and offers panoramic views of the city and Waitematā Harbour.

Tūpuna Maunga Authority chair Paul Majurey said the boardwalk provides protection for the last remnants of a historic Māori site built around 1200AD,

“Maungawhau is a waahi tapu – a sacred place of immense historical, cultural and spiritual significance to the Mana Whenua iwi/hapū of Tāmaki Makaurau,” he said.

“It is also geologically important and is highly valued by the many communities that have a connection with this special place. Maungawhau is a taonga in every sense of the word.”

The boardwalk carefully winds through the tūāpapa (terraces) where the houses and gardens of the pā once sat, and the rua (pits) which were roofed for storing crops.

Visitors can now appreciate these features without causing damage.

Majurey said extensive planning for the project included a review of historic locations and World Heritage sites around the world, such as the boardwalks at Yosemite National Park in the United States and the trails around Stonehenge in England.

“With around 1.2 million people visiting Maungawhau every year, a better solution was needed to both protect the pā features and enhance the experience that visitors expect from one of the country’s most iconic Maunga,” he said.

Construction began in November 2019 and experienced some delays due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

Visitors are encouraged to place health and safety first, maintain a 2-metre physical distance from others on the Maunga and take advantage of the manual check-in feature on the NZ COVID Tracer app.

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More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.3% Complete
  • 20.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    20.1% Complete
  • 69.6% Nah - not for me
    69.6% Complete
671 votes
2 hours ago

🎉The Riddler wants to hear from you 🫵

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

🧩 Got a riddle that can stump your Neighbourly community? Share your brain teasers with us and watch your neighbours scratch their heads 😕🤔❓

Send us your tricky puzzles!

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11 hours ago

Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland

The Team from New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/

Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.

• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.

• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.

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