Matukutūruru Wiri Mountain

Matukutūruru Wiri Mountain was once an extensive Maori pā (village settlement) with a height of around 90 meters at its summit and a coverage of 18 hectares. Short terraces were built around the slopes of the maunga for living, food storage, and gardening. Free-standing walls were also constructed on the lower slopes to separate crop-growing spaces. However, extensive quarrying has almost completely leveled the pā, leaving behind only a small portion of the lower northern slopes of the scoria cone.

Matukutūruru was formed through a series of volcanic eruptions, including a fire-fountaining eruption that created a large scoria cone with a single crater on its summit. The lava from the eruption encircled the cone, completely surrounding it, and extending 1 kilometer to the north and 1.5 kilometers to the south. The eruption occurred about 32,000 years ago, which is consistent with the period of many of Auckland's volcanoes.

One notable feature of Matukutūruru is the Wiri Lava Cave, a cavity that was created when lava carved through the landscape, cooled on the outer edges, and left behind a cavity. The cave is over 7 meters wide, 3 meters tall, and runs for approximately 300 meters. The best of its kind in New Zealand, the Wiri Lava Cave is protected as a Scientific Reserve, but unfortunately not open to the public.