Maungakiekie One Tree Hill

The Hospital and the Observatory

Introduction

Maungakiekie One Tree Hill is one of the most important Māori sites in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland reflecting a deep history of settlement, leadership and sacred traditions. Its name means “the hill of the kiekie vine,” a plant that once grew extensively on the maunga (mountain). For centuries, it was home to thousands and was the largest pre-European pā (fortified village) in Aotearoa New Zealand. In 1844, several rangatira sold 400 hectares of Maungakiekie land to an Irish settler, Thomas Henry. He renamed the land Prospect Estate.  In 1847, the Crown investigated land purchases made directly from Māori and confiscated part of the Maungakiekie land from Henry. However, instead of returning it to the original Māori owners, the Crown sold parts of the land to settlers, quarried the land for basalt and scoria rock and kept the summit (tihi) of Maungakiekie as a public reserve.