Not topped by a single tree but by a single memorial tor – to Sir John Logan Campbell, who was the first white owner of the land and was the one to bequeath it to the rest of us as a park – this hill was once the cone of an active volcano that spewed lava all over the surrounding area and had a lot to do with shaping this landscape – now generously covered in healthy grass and gardens.

This is an important place to Maori people, almost of the land's indigenous inhabitants can trace their ancestry back to this hill – it was home to around 5,000 people at one point prior to 1700, which would have made it the largest Maori settlement. This was rich land, the volcanic soil is very fertile and food came plentifully from the sea, and the hill itself was fortified with terraces.

The view from the top is impressive – you can see both of Auckland's harbours and the city is spread out below you.

If looking at a hill like this only brings back memories of rolling down something similar you're more than welcome to join the kids that do it, but the police frown upon it after hours – it's a bit of a hang out for boy racers.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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