Ask Phoebe: Historic hill provides green space for the city

Hamlin's Hill (Mutukaroa) is the largest non-volcanic hill on the Auckland Isthmus. Photo / File

With the housing/land shortage in Auckland the subject of much controversy, I am puzzled as to what is going on with that very large area of land named Hamlin's Park, adjacent to the Southern and South-eastern motorways. Although it is called a park, we have never seen people there or anything else to indicate any activities. The area was previously used as holding paddocks for animals, but none have been there for decades. Just wondering, as it seems a waste of a very valuable space.

Colleen Wright, Auckland

Hamlin's Hill (Mutukaroa) is a regional park, and thus sacrosanct (and long may it remain so).

It is the largest non-volcanic hill on the Auckland Isthmus.

Believed to be one of the region's largest undefended settlements (c.1400-1700 AD), it provided a strategic position across the Otahuhu portage on a narrow part of the isthmus separating the Mangere Inlet and Waitemata Harbours.

Remains of habitation can be seen in the form of pits, terraces and midden (refuse).

And, apart from its historical importance, we need green spaces like Mutukaroa in our city to act as "lungs".

In Glen Innes there was once Tamaki Girls' High School and Tamaki Boys' High School. At some stage the two schools merged and became Tamaki College on the boys' school site. For at least 20 years now the girls' school site has sat as an empty vacant lot. Who now owns it and are there any plans to develop the land? Imagine how many social housing places could be built!

Carol Hall, Auckland

A theme, a theme, and we know how much Ask Phoebe likes those.

As far as I can ascertain (from Ngati Whatua a Orakei's 2012 Annual Report) the land belongs jointly to them and to Taharoa C. At that time, Ngati Whatua were in negotiation with Taharoa to buy their share.

The annual report went on to say that after the purchase was completed the new outright owners had prospects in mind, but did not elaborate.

Recently a new set of lights has been installed in Titirangi Rd for the new Bunnings store opening soon on the corner of Great North Rd and Titirangi Rd in New Lynn. The problem is that traffic is already backing up at peak hour in Rata St and sometimes the queue goes right back to the corner of Ash St and Rosebank Rd. Are there any plans to widen the road under the rail bridge, near the new set of lights, to four lanes (instead of the two lanes there now)?

Michael Myers, Titirangi

This has been a problem for years now and, unfortunately, there seems to be no solution in sight (or on any forecast or financial plan that I can find). I would be delighted to hear otherwise.

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