|
About The Waitakere Ranges
Location: Auckland, New Zealand.
(Waitakere: Maori names do not always have a succinct translation, two variations are 'Deep Pools' or 'Cascading Waters')
West of Auckland, the Waitakere Ranges regional park sprawls across a chain of extinct volcanic hills along the rugged Tasman Sea coastline.
It consists of more than 16000 hectares of scenic native rainforest (known locally as 'bush'), beaches, waterfalls and reservoirs.
Legend has it that in pre-Maori times the area was inhabited by hostile fairies who drifted around with the mists in the trees, and by naked goblins with long claws that lived in the treetops.
The predominant Maori tribe to settle in this area were the Kawerau - who suffered many defeats in battle with tribes from the north, including Ngati Whatua led by a warrior (Kawharu) said to be 5 metres tall.
European settlers came in the early nineteenth century to exploit the timber resources, particularly the Kauri, one of the largest trees found anywhere in the world. Many tramlines were built to transport the logs to the coast.
During the 20th century five dams were built in the ranges to supply Auckland's water. Walking tracks and parks were established, and the remaining Kauri are protected by law.
|
A giant kauri
Ponga ferns
|
