Ōhuiarangi

PĀ

Like most Maunga in Auckland, Ōhuiarangi was a pā.  The name Ōhuiarangi translates as 'the desire of Rangi'. 

Today, long shallow boundary drains that separated traditional gardening areas can be seen in certain light down the eastern slopes towards Gills Rd.  Terracing from the pā is still visible on the highest parts of the Maunga.  

GEOLOGY

The eruption of Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain occurred around 24,000 years ago.  A series of explosions formed an enormous crater and tuff ring that was 500 metres wide. You can still see the highest crest of the original tuff ring just to the north and east of the Maunga - now built up with houses along Half Moon Rise. 

RECENT HISTORY

European settlers gave the name Pigeon Mountain to this Maunga, for the large numbers of kererū / native wood pigeon residing on and around this Maunga in the 1800s. 

Like so many of our Maunga, Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain was extensively quarried.  This first began in 1913 and escalated during the 1950s before ending in the 1970s following a community campaign to cease all quarrying activity.  By then the entire north side had been quarried away.  Only half of the original Maunga remains today.

VEGETATION RESTORATION

Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain's native vegetation was all but destroyed through quarrying and other development, and exotic species were introduced in some parts of the Maunga. 

In April 2019 work began on a programme to restore native vegetation and habitat for native wildlife at Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain. At the end of 2024 season it has grown to over 71,000 natives planted on the Maunga and includes the Wetlands.

Around 112 exotic trees, including pest species, have been removed.

New plantings are carefully positioned to enhance sight lines to and from the tihi (summit). Terrace planting has taken a non-dig approach to avoid ground disturbance.

The restoration will have important long-term ecological benefits, restoring a sample of the Maunga’s original ecology while also giving prominence to and maintaining historic features.

ŌHUIARANGI PERIMETER UPGRADES

The team be undertaking works to upgrade the tihi (summit), secondary tracks, and undertake various perimeter improvement works starting April 2025. 

Construction work and dates

The planned works include:

Tihi (summit) upgrades:

·       New stone and timber boxed steps

·       Two viewing platforms

·       Steel safety barrier along the northern boundary to address fall-from-height risks

·       Installation of a pou to mark the tihi, the most sacred part of the Maunga

·       Above-ground native planting on terraces

·       New picnic furniture

Perimeter and entranceway upgrades:

·       Installation of permeable timber fencing (brustics eucalypt) along the Maunga perimeter

·       Formalising of primary and secondary entrances to improve visitor access while restricting mountain biking on sensitive archaeological features

·       Upgraded wayfinding, regulatory, and entrance information signage

·       Extensive native revegetation planting

·       Installation of several wayfinding pou to mark main pedestrian entrances

Works are scheduled to start in April 2025 and will take approximately 7-8 months to complete. Construction will take place Monday to Friday (and Saturday mornings, where required) during standard work hours to minimise disruption to neighbours. Please note timelines may be affected by weather and or supply issues. 

Visitor access

Where possible pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the works.

The health and safety of visitors is important, so please follow the instructions of onsite construction staff and the temporary signage in place. Our construction workers are simply doing their job to make a better visitor experience for us all, please be kind.

MAIN ENTRANCE GATE OPENING HOURS

Summer: 7 am – 8.30 pm
Winter: 7 am – 7 pm

Times align with daylight-savings. 

CYCLING

Please use the road for cycling at all times. All motorbikes are prohibited on the Maunga.

DOG RULES

Under control ON leash.

Please make sure to pick up after your dogs and dispose of waste in rubbish bins.

LOCATION

64 Pigeon Mountain Road, Bucklands Beach, Auckland.