Efforts to preserve volcanic crater
An historically significant part of South Auckland’s natural landscape is being preserved.
Environmental work is being done to stabilise the eroding southwest rim of the Te Pu¯kaki Tapu o Poutukeke Crater, known as Pu¯kaki Crater, in Ma¯ngere.
The tree-planting and installation of fencing is being led by Auckland Council and Ma¯ngereta¯huhu Local Board.
Ma¯ngere-O¯ta¯huhu Local Board deputy chairman Togiatolu Walter Togiamua says the stabilisation work was ‘‘quite simple’’, but gaining consents required extensive consultation.
‘‘The board invested in this project to demonstrate its commit- ment to working alongside mana whenua when it comes to preserving sites of cultural and natural significance.’’
The work is expected to also protect access for the Te kitai Waiohua iwi to their cemetery.
‘‘Pu¯kaki is significant because of its place in our history and because our urupa¯ (cemetery) sits atop the crater,’’ says Te kitai Waiohua Iwi Authority and Pu¯kaki Ma¯ori Marae Committee chairwoman Karen Wilson.
‘‘Our crater is also known as Te Pu¯kaki Tapu o Poutukeka [which translates as] ‘the sacred wellspring of Poutukeka’, who was one of the crew of the Tainui waka and an ancestor of generations of mana whenua in the area.’’ A¯ A¯