British colonists like to take credit for Auckland City because of the addition of concrete and steel, before 1st Earl of Auckland was born its original name was Tamaki Makaurau – Auckland was already an ancient Polynesian city before it was ever a European City. Auckland was of vital importance to Iwi because it had a land bridge that connected the Tasman Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. A Waka could be lifted and carried from Otahuhu railway station and carried across to Ann creek that trickles into the Mangere Inlet
This made Otahuhu strategically important to all North island Iwi as it avoided them taking a 500km voyage around cape reinga. Another strong indicator of Maori civilisation is the pa sites on each volcanic mountain. Well defended positions
Each community was very much like a fortified suburb of Auckland
Mount Smart stadium – Rarotonga
Mangere Mountain -the Lazy winds
Taylors Hill Reserve -Taurere
North Head- Maungauika
One Tree Hill -Maungakieke
Rangitoto -kept its original name
Te Motutapu a Taikehu -Motatapu Island
Each suburb had plantations of kumara and were located near the sea for collecting shellfish and in the Volcanic soil large plantations thrived. Tamaki makaurau was truly the first City in New Zealand and many people forget they live over the top of an ancient Polynesian city.
Very efficiently written post. It will be supportive to anybody who usess it, as well as myself. Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts.