Takaparawha Point's Historic Gun Emplacements
Takaparawha Point, above Tamaki Drive in Auckland, between Bastion Point and Ōkahu Bay, is home to historic World War II gun emplacements. These emplacements are a look back into the city’s military past and, though unmarked, are easily accessible on a high point overlooking the Waitemāta Harbour.
Exploring the Gun Emplacements
The gun emplacements at Takaparawha Point were part of a network of eleven anti-aircraft batteries constructed in Auckland during World War II. Built in 1942, they were decommissioned by 1944 as the threat from Japan diminished.
The site includes four emplacements and a command post, and it is one of only two such sites in Auckland that remain intact and accessible today. While some of the emplacements have been graffitied, others feature murals painted on the interiors, adding a layer of contemporary art to the site.
How to Get There
To reach the Takaparawha Point gun emplacements from Downtown Auckland, take Tamaki Drive to the entrance of Bastion Point on Hapimana Street. After turning onto Hapimana Street, you will see a small car park immediately on your right. From the car park, follow the unmarked but clear track up through regenerating native shrubs to the top of Takaparawha Point.
The reserve itself is a blend of replanted native vegetation and grassed areas, making for a pleasant walk. While there is little signage, the emplacements are easy to locate once you reach the top.
Other places to visit on Tamaki Drive include Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers and Achilles Point. Other historic military sights include Stony Batter on Waiheke Island, Maungauika North Head, Takarunga Mt Victoria and Kennedy Park.
