Te Tātua a Riukiuta Big King

Come and enjoy a whānau (family) favourite walk on the last remaining prominent volcanic peaks of the Three Kings. Take in the city-wide views of our bustling metropolis from a height of 133 metres. Stand where the largest crater existed in Tāmaki Makaurau when it first erupted some 28,500 years ago.   

Located in Three Kings, this Maunga was part of what was perhaps the most complex volcano in the Auckland volcanic field and all that is left today is Te Tātua a Riukuita / Big King. The two large adjoining volcanic cones that once stood with alongside have been completely quarried away. You can imagine how this Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountain) was almost lost to the demands of a developing city.  

Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta / Big King, and the surrounding area, has many layers of Māori history, each tribe with its own story to tell of their connection to the whenua / land. It was also once the site of an ancient pā (fortified village settlement). As you explore, you will discover how it has retained some of these Māori earthworks, such as kūmara pits (underground storage pits for storing kūmara during winter and for planting the next spring) and terracing. 

The name Te Tātua-a-Riukiuta honors Riukiuta, a respected tohunga of the Tainui waka who unified local tribes and the Maunga continues to bring people together.  

It features an off-leash dog area and very popular with dog owners. Please remember to clean up after your pooch for a pawfect experience.