Top 10 Remarkable Facts About Maungawhau (Mount Eden)

Mt Eden Crater. Photo by Bhutt. Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Maungawhau (Mount Eden)

Maungawhau (Mount Eden) is a steep conical hill made up of loose pyroclastic fragments. The ancestral mountain is in the suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.

It also consists of two overlapping scoria cones which are said to have erupted in close succession about 28,000 years ago. The name Maungawhau means “mountain of the whau tree” and it’s considered the largest and most elaborate fortified settlement of the Maori people.

The outer slopes of Mount Eden consist of several terraces which are used for defense, ling, and also working. Most of the historical features have however been destroyed as a result of the construction of water reservoirs and roads. There is evidence of the past layout.

The crater is considered sacred by the Maori people and it must not be entered by anyone. However, vehicles are not allowed due to sacredness of the place and the safety of the pedestrians.

Below are the top ten remarkable facts about Maungawhau (Mount Eden)

1. It Name “Mount Eden” Honours George Eden

Mount Eden got its name from George Eden who was the first Earl of Auckland, a politician, and a colonial administrator. George Eden served as the Governor-General of India between 1836 and 1842 as well as the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Most of the land mass in Auckland which included the present regions of Waikato, Northland, Auckland, and the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, was named after him.

Maungawhau is a name from the Maori people which means mountain of the whau tree which is species of malvaceous tree endemic to New Zealand.

2. Mount Eden is the Highest Natural Point in Entire Auckland

Mount Eden crater and view. Photo by brewbooks. Wikimedia Commons

Mount Eden is the highest natural point in the entire Auckland, which act as the major source of tourists. From the vantage point, the tourists can have the best view of all the directions over the city.

Since the area was confirmed to be of spiritual and cultural significance, the vehicles were denied entrance. This allows for the safety of the tourist as well as other visitors leading to the permanent closure of Summit road.

3. Whau Cafe Showcases the Geological and Cultural History

The Whau Cafe was previously used as the Spanish Mission-style tearoom since 1926. However,since 2019, the area was converted into Whau Cafe or the Mount Eden Visitor Experience Centre.

The center is particularly significant as it showcases both the Maori cultural history and the geographical history of the Maunga.

The boardwalks were also established to protect the crater terraces found on the summit’s upper slopes.

4. The Peaks are used for Very High-Frequency Radio Communications

Monte Edén, Auckland, Nueva Zelanda. Photo by Nelson Pérez. Wikimedia Commons

The peaks have been used by the New Zealand Post Office for VHF radio communications since the 1950s. Due to the very high elevations of the peaks, they have several advantages for transmitting high frequencies.

There are two buildings constructed hundreds of meters away from one another, each with its antenna farm. One building receives the equipment while the other transmits the equipment.

5. Mount Eden is a Home to Underground Water Reservoir

Mount Eden has been home to an underground water reservoir which is located on the northern side since the 1870s. However, the original water reservoir was replaced in 1912 and a similar reservoir was also added in 1930.

The ancient reservoirs were upgraded to meet the ever-increasing demand for the water supply to the Khyber Pass areas, One Tree Hill, Epsom as well as Mount Eden.

6. The Volcano Erupted from Three Craters 28,000 Years Ago

The cone is a dormant volcano with the last volcanic eruption had occurred from the three craters about 28,000 years ago.

The last eruption is said to have occurred in the southern crater which filled the entire northern craters. However, much of the western side of the hill has been massively quarried. It is undergoing ecological restoration from the volunteers.

The summit of the hill is the highest natural place at about 196 meters above sea level.

7. Mount Eden is the Largest Auckland Volcano

Mt Eden, Auckland. photo sourced from Wikimedia commons

Mount Eden is the largest Auckland volcano which stands at 196 meters above sea level. It also has the highest natural point in the entire Auckland isthmus.

Mount Victoria and the North Head are the most popular volcanoes in the city. The bowl-shaped crater of Mount Eden is about 50 meters deep.

It erupted the lava from the three cones which form the structure of the land mass where Auckland now sits.

8. Mount Eden is a Car Free Crater

Before the year 2011, visitors could drive up to the crater. However, the officials banned the tourist bus from driving into the crater. Later in 2016, all vehicles were banned from driving to the summit.

The only people who were allowed to drive in were the physically challenged who had limited mobility. The banning of vehicles improved the safety of pedestrians.

9. A Royal Elephant Marched up the Volcano

The elephant was named Tom, and it was gifted to Prince Alfred who was the son of Queen Victoria. When Alfred visited Mount Eden he took along him Tom, who was placed on the work dragging loads of basalt to the top of the mount.

Tom finally ended up in the Dublin Zoo and later died in 1882 and his skeletons remain in the zoological museum at Trinity College Dublin.

10. Mount Eden is Perfect for Hiking

Mt Eden Crater. Photo by Francisco Anzola. Wikimedia Commons

Mount Eden is perfect for fun activities including hiking which takes about 15 minutes to reach the grassed–over the crater.

It is a very spectacular place especially to view the dazzling city, particularly in the evening. The sunrise and the sunset are also so magnificent from the highest spot of the mount.

Maungawhau (Mount Eden) is an ideal destination for tourists during the holidays and vacations. The mount is perfect for leisure activities including hiking with the best view of the city from a vantage point.

It is also a care-free area that allows only the physically challenged to drive and it’s also considered a sacred place for the Maori people.