Mount Maunganui (mountain)

The Mauao, Mount Maunganui or also called by locals The Mount, is the remnant of about 4.3 million year old volcanic cone on the North Island of New Zealand, situated right in the Bay of Plenty.

Geography

The 232 m high mountain located at the western end of the peninsula on which is located the same name Mount Maunganui, a suburb of Tauranga. With the opposite island of Matakana Iceland mountain forms the eastern entrance to the Tauranga Harbour, one by the Matakana Iceland separated from the South Pacific Ocean shallow-water area. At the same time the strait but also the access to the Port of Tauranga and its underlying shallow bays dar.

Geology

The mountain consists of the remains of a large lava dome, which was formed about 4.3 million years by viscous rhyolitic lava aufwölbende. The Lava Core is now weathered considerably. Evidence, however, can still be found on the north bank. Pyroclastic tephra deposits have formed the lower areas of the mountain, approximately 65,000 years ago. The ash deposits derived from volcanic eruptions from the areas of Okataina, Taupo, Maroa and Tuhua. The mountain, which was originally an island, was connected by sand deposits and formation of dunes about 6,000 years ago across the peninsula to the mainland. The ash deposits showing made ​​by the volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1314 on the peninsula, the peninsula was formed in its current form, as the Polynesians reached the area.

History

There were four significant events for the mountain Mauao as a settled area and for the region.

• The first human settlement of the region in the 13th century,
• The expulsion of the Ngamarama,
• The war of the Kokowai ( 1625-1750 ) and
• Finally, the incidence of Ngapuhi in the Bay of Plenty region (Region) in the early 19th century.

First archaeological investigations have been carried out on the mountain in 1838 and demonstrated the existence of a well-fortified Pā (village) on the plateau of the mountain, although it was not captured and destroyed a village complex. The village got the name Ranginui's Pā. In the late 1960s, a village located to the west of archaeologists has been found and studied, which Kinonui 's Pā was called. The last village and its dimension is far greater, the so-called Maunganui Pā have found that covering around 100 acres of the summit plateau and the entire southern half of the mountain to the two east -lying beaches. The village must have been good for fixed Māoriverhältnisse and defend well.

Furthermore, around 100 rectangular pits were found in which the villagers had stored their food and crop inventories. The numerous refuse pits, in which one could prove shells, bones, stones and remnants of charcoal, were following records of missionaries from the 1830s, already excavated by the early European settlers and the mussels used for lime burning.

As a result of the war to Gate Pā in 1863, the mountain was taken Māori and handed over to the state as property.

Current usage

The Mauao is considered an important Tapu in the area of local tribes ( iwi ) of Māori, in whose mythology it plays a significant role.

As part of the land restitution to the Māori were added to 14 May 2008 by the New Zealand Parliament decided the ownership of the mountain back to the iwi Ngāti Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Pukenga.

Although the upper part of the mountain is protected as Mauao Historic Reserve, there is a danger that the destruction of nature and surface structure progresses through the intensive use of recreation seekers and sports enthusiasts continues. In recent years there have been several fires on the mountain, where one tries to meet with reforestation programs and significant signs.

There are a variety of routes and entrances to the summit plateau, which are intensively used by walkers and joggers, especially in the late afternoon hours. The good thermals on the north flank of the mountain are also often used by paragliders.

The foot of the mountain to the peninsula towards existing hot salt spring has only existed since the 50s. Looking for fresh water in order to improve the drinking water supply for the rapidly growing community around Mount Maunganui around, was discovered during drilling by chance on the 46 ° C hot spring. A pool today to take advantage of this source the opportunity.