These are about 5 minutes drive from Auckland Airport, and possibly of more immediate interest to an archaeology student than they are to a casual walker looking for somewhere to spend an afternoon.
Without at least some prior awareness of the area’s history, geology and botany, you are walking through a largely neglected collection of rocks, kikuyu and cowshit.
However, once you start to get some of this information on board, you can visit and revisit and as with many of these sites, the more you see the more you see, and the more there is to see.
It links with the coastal walkway, and for birdwatchers and photographers the Mangere coastline is a treasure. A cyclist friend recommends the coastal walkway.
But it is unfortunately true that there is very little available on site to assist the casual visitor. My Otuataua webpage is a work in progress to bring together as much information as I can in one place about the Stonefields Reserve. If you can add to it, I’d love to hear from you
Hi, i have been to otuataua, can you please explain why did the local iwi choose the otuataua site to settle in and how did they utilise it and also how would they have reacted to the european activities that occurred in this area after the settlement
Comment by Nalini — September 3, 2010 @ 7:07 pm
Before the sewage treatment plant was constructed some fifty odd years back, the area was rich in local shellfish beds and fish stocks. Historically, the presence of volcanic rocks absorbing and retaining warmth from the sun allowed a much longer growing season for their food plants – true of much of the Auckland isthmus. You may find further information relating to the effect of European settlement at http://wudhi.com/mrwalker/otuataua%20stonefields/otuataua%20stonefields%2001.htm#makaurau, but, depending on how detailed you want your information, you may be better to contact the Makaurau marae personally.
Cheers
Comment by Dave — September 3, 2010 @ 7:30 pm