Work begins on vehicle-free transformation of Mt Albert
Monday, 8 October 2018
Work is set to begin at Ōwairaka/Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura (Mt Albert) which will transform the maunga back to a vehicle-free space.
This follows the pedestrianisation of One Tree Hill, Mt Victoria and Mt Roskill earlier this year and Mt Eden in 2016.
Tūpuna Maunga Authority chair Paul Majurey said those changes had been well received, paving the way for similar ones to be made at Mt Albert.
'We have had consistent feedback that the maunga are vastly more peaceful and safer places to be without cars,' Majurey said.
**READ MORE:
* Iwi move to ban cars from Devonport's Takarunga/Mt Victoria upsets locals
* Vehicle ban on Mt Eden about to take effect
* Work to make One Tree Hill car-free begins**
'People are really connecting with the preservation of these taonga.'
Changes to Mt Albert would include a new visitor car park, toilet block and automated gate at the start of the loop road.
The car park on the western side of the maunga would also be removed and returned to grassland.
Majurey said the changes were being made in recognition that the site was both culturally and historically significant.
'Ōwairaka/Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura was a significant pā settlement, home to well over 1000 people at the height of occupation,' he said.
'Despite immense damage by quarrying, some important examples of early Māori life in Tāmaki Makaurau still exist there.'
Those included terraces, midden and pits shaped for dwellings, agriculture and defence.
Once construction was finished, the loop road would permanently close to all motor vehicles, except for vehicles belonging to those with limited mobility.
The project was expected to take two months to complete with work beginning October 15.