Matukutūreia / McLaughlins Mountain
New Zealand · Oceania
About
Matukutūreia / McLaughlin's Mountain is one of the volcanic cones in the Auckland volcanic field. It has a peak 73 metres (240 feet) above sea level, and was the site of a pā. Created around 50,000 years ago, it had a crescent-shaped scoria cone, before extensive quarrying reduced it to a pyramid-shaped mound. Part of the eastern side of the cone remains intact, along with a large area of lava flows to the south. These remnants now form the Matukurua Stonefields reserve. Matukutūreia was the site of a terraced pā occupied by Te Waiohua. After European occupation it became a farm, then beginning in the 1960s most of the mountain was quarried away. An industrial subdivision has been built over the former quarry site.
Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.