Geoscience Society of New Zealand Condemns Proposed Housing on World Heritage Volcano

Members of the Geoscience Society of New Zealand have been surprised by the recently released recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel on the Unitary Plan to rezone parts of Auckland’s last remaining unprotected volcano, Crater Hill in Papatoetoe, for residential housing. We call on Auckland Council to reject this rezoning which is contrary to many of the policies in the recommended Unitary Plan itself.

Our Society, along with many kindred organisations, have been advocating for permanent protection for this nationally important part of Auckland’s volcanic heritage for over 25 years. As a result it has been scheduled as an outstanding natural feature on the Manukau District Scheme since the 1990s - to be “protected from the adverse effects of development”. We see the planned building of up to 575 dwellings in parts of the crater and on the tuff cone’s outer slopes as a significant adverse effect.

This rezoning was not advertised. It is clear that this recommendation has been made without due consideration of the campaign that has been waged over many decades nor of the high heritage values of Crater Hill. It has recently been ranked as the eighth most-valued volcano in an assessment of potential sites that should be included in a UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination. It is the best preserved tuff volcano in Auckland with the best example in New Zealand of a lava lake that has partly drained back down the volcano’s throat at the end of the eruption. It has a text-book crater lake with a small island made up of solidified remnants of the drained lava lake. All other tuff volcanoes in Auckland have had their outer slopes built over and if the recommendation is accepted, Crater Hill will be added to that list of shame.

The Unitary Plan states (1.7) “The volcanic field, on which much of Auckland is built, is recognisable by scoria cones, explosion craters, tuff rings, and lava fields. This natural landscape has shaped Auckland’s development and growth. The cones are the most visible elements of the volcanic field and are outstanding natural features, as well as cultural heritage icons.” We also highlight that a visible presence of these landforms in Auckland serves as a perpetual reminder of the volcanic risk in Auckland. Hidden thousands of pages further down in the panel’s recommendations is a plan to allow the destruction of one of these iconic volcanic landforms – one that is seen almost at eye level out of the aeroplane windows as millions of people each year fly in and out of our beautiful ‘City of Volcanoes’.

Crater Hill is not entirely pristine, but the 80% that is untouched makes it one of Auckland’s most aesthetically attractive and iconic volcanoes. The SW motorway was pushed through the eastern side of the crater several decades ago and private quarrying operations for many years have removed part of the crater wall, despite its scheduled status as an outstanding natural feature. In recent years the quarry has been backfilled and could now be restored quite easily to its original contours. The recommended Unitary Plan has an objective (D10.2.4) that states “Where practicable the restoration and enhancement of outstanding natural features is promoted.”

We still have a chance to preserve this unique volcano. Auckland undoubtedly needs to address the housing issue but we argue that his should not be done at the expense of our volcanic heritage. We call on Auckland Councillors to follow their own Unitary Plan and reject this recommendation.

Dr Adrian Pittari

President, Geoscience Society of New Zealand

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