'Horrific' damage to volcanic cone site

Fence lines have been cut through middens. Photo / Supplied

A heritage protection group and local iwi want greater protection of volcanic cones after Auckland City Council works seriously damaged archaeological sites.

Ngati Whatua o Orakei leader Ngarimu Blair said fenceline construction and excavations on Mt Wellington had caused "horrific" damage to its historic features.

He said artefacts had been disturbed - he had taken a stone axe-head from the site - and he was concerned other pieces may have been removed.

"It was two weeks between the work happening and us finding out. Workers or treasure-hunters could have taken other pieces in that time."

Archaeological scarps, terraces, house sites and kumara pits had been dug up and modified.

He said any development on volcanic cones should have had resource consent from the council and from the Historic Places Trust, and iwi should have been consulted about it.

The council was working with iwi to repair the land.

The chairman of the council's arts, culture and recreation committee, Greg Moyle said the council had accepted full liability for the damage.

Mr Moyle said he was deeply disturbed by the damaged sites.

"We clearly need to review our processes. There was a breakdown in communication with the contractors.

"They needed to understand that what is acceptable in a farm paddock is not acceptable on a volcanic cone."

Friends of Maungawhau said the error was typical of the council's mismanagement of Auckland's cones.

Chairman Kit Howden believed council decision-makers were too far removed from frontline work.

"Volcanic cones are the icon of Auckland. We've got a big event next year in the Rugby World Cup. Focus is going to be on these icons, and we're neglecting them."

Mr Howden was optimistic management would be improved with the Super City and a new iwi collective. An agreement now before the Government will give North Island iwi joint ownership of the city's 11 volcanic cones.

Friends of Mangawhau and iwi were hoping professional rangers would be employed to look after the protected cones.

"Auckland does not have rangers, like Manukau City and the regional councils. A ranger would stopped the works until the right people were consulted."

Mr Howden said the Historic Places Trust was considering taking the council to court over the matter.