Ask Phoebe: Different view of Mt Roskill cross

A cross was first erected on Mt Roskill 50 years ago. Photo / Greg Bowker

Why is there a giant cross on the top of Mt Roskill? I thought that the volcanic cones of Auckland were iwi/public land. If this is the case, why should a secular society have to put up with a Christian symbol that dominates the view of the beautiful mountain and natural skyline? Alison Jones, Westmere.

A bit of history first, to put things in context. The cross was first put on Mt Roskill/Puketapapa 50 years ago by the Christian churches of Mt Roskill to recognise the Christian tradition of the area, particularly during the celebrations of Christmas and Easter. The local council at the time supported this, and covered the cost of the cross.

The cross is still placed on the summit cone each year before Christmas and taken down after Easter. At Christmas, lights are added to the cross so it takes on the shape of a star, and at Easter the lighting configuration is changed so it more resembles a cross. The Auckland City Council continues to support the erection of the cross each year, covering the installation, lighting and dismantling costs.

Mt Roskill/Puketapapa is one of the volcanic cones included in the proposed transfer of ownership to the new iwi collective, Nga Mana Whenua o Tamaki Makaurau, following final settlement of iwi Treaty claims in the Auckland region. The future management of the cone will then come under a co-management board, comprising iwi and the new Auckland Council. It's not known yet whether this will affect the provision of the cross, but public access to the cone will continue.

And even though we are a secular society, Dr Jones, I hope you, like me, had an enjoyable Easter break.

With all the work being done in Tristram Ave, is there any chance that Becroft Drive will be extended to allow for access directly on to Tristram? John Anderson, Forrest Hill.

No. Raines Ave will be the safer intersection, with a stop sign replacing the give way, and a right turn bay from Tristram into Raines.

If I park, displaying my mobility parking permit, in an ordinary carpark, do the signs displaying permitted parking times in these carparks still apply? Eric Gill, Auckland.

Yes, they do. If you choose not to use a mobility carpark, or if one is not available, then you are obliged to abide by the advertised parking limits on ordinary car spaces.

* Last year we asked for submissions on Auckland's worst roads (streets, lanes, crescents, etc), and drew a shortlist of 10, based on physical condition and difficulties faced by drivers. They were Fairview Ave in Albany, Gillies Ave in Newmarket, Gills Rd in Albany, Konini Rd in Titirangi, Lake Rd in Takapuna, Meola Rd in Pt Chevalier, Nelson St in the CBD, Porchester Rd in Papakura, Robert St in Ellerslie, and The Concourse in Henderson.

We're now asking you to do it again. Are the early winners still in contention, or do you have better suggestions? Email your nominations to askphoebe@nzherald.co.nz before the end of April, we'll pick the 10 worst and try to get something done about them.