Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill

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Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill

Hill

Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill is a 182-metre volcanic peak and Tūpuna Maunga in central Auckland, New Zealand. Travelers visit for the obelisk and historic Māori terraces, wide views across the city and both of Auckland's harbours, and the surrounding parkland.

Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill AucklandManukau CityWaitakere CityMaungakiekie / One Tree Hill

Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill essentials

Address: One Tree Hill, Auckland, New Zealand

Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill is a scoria cone volcano in the Auckland volcanic field; its cone and lava flows cover a large area and the volcano last erupted around 67,000 years ago. The summit and slopes contain extensive archaeological earthworks from a major pre-European pā, including terraces and storage areas.

The Māori name Maungakiekie means “mountain of the kiekie vine” and the site was a key centre for Waiohua and later local hapū; its summit was sacred and used for important rituals. In the 19th century the site passed into European hands and much of the surrounding land became public parkland through the gift of Sir John Logan Campbell.

Today the hill sits within One Tree Hill Domain and adjoins Cornwall Park, together creating large public green space in the city. The summit features a memorial obelisk and the grave of Campbell, and the maunga is managed as a Tūpuna Maunga under co-governance with Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau; note the summit road is permanently closed to most vehicles so access is on foot or by bike.

  • Obelisk and bronze warrior: The stone obelisk and the bronze Māori warrior statue stand on the summit viewing platform, with Sir John Logan Campbell’s grave set into the platform.
  • Summit views: From the top you can see across Auckland, including both Waitematā and Manukau harbours on clear days.
  • Terraces and pā earthworks: Visible terraced platforms and earthworks around the cone mark the remains of a large pre-European pā and its cultivation areas.
  • Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill Domain: The adjoining parkland offers lawns, tree-lined avenues and walking routes that take in the volcanic slopes and landscaped areas.
  • Volcanic landforms: The scoria cone, breached craters and direction of ancient lava flows can be observed around the hill’s flanks.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill#

Auckland has a temperate oceanic climate so Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill is visitable year-round; warmer, clearer conditions and longer daylight make spring and summer the most pleasant times.

Summer (best)
December - February · 14°C - 24°C (57°F - 75°F)
Warmest months with the longest daylight hours, good for panoramic views and late-afternoon visits, though occasional showers are still possible.
Spring (good)
September - November · 9°C - 21°C (48°F - 70°F)
Mild temperatures and fewer crowds make spring a pleasant time for walking the terraces and parkland, with new growth across the maunga.
Winter (quieter)
June - August · 7°C - 15°C (45°F - 59°F)
Cooler and wetter conditions bring quieter paths and fewer visitors, but expect shorter daylight and windier summit conditions.

Weather & Climate near Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill#

Climate

Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 7°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1386 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 26 Good
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
3°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 15° - 24° 20° 103 mm partly cloudy 74% 5.9 m/s 2.5 extreme 14.2h
February Very Good 15° - 24° 20° 98 mm partly cloudy 74% 4.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.3h
March Very Good 14° - 23° 19° 94 mm partly cloudy 75% 5.3 m/s 1.5 very high 12.2h
April Good 12° - 20° 16° 119 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.6 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.0h
May Good 10° - 17° 13° 120 mm partly cloudy 82% 5.0 m/s 0.5 low 10.0h
June Acceptable 8° - 15° 11° 144 mm partly cloudy 84% 4.4 m/s 0.3 low 9.6h
July Acceptable 7° - 14° 11° 146 mm partly cloudy 84% 4.9 m/s 0.3 low 9.8h
August Good 7° - 15° 11° 141 mm partly cloudy 83% 5.3 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.6h
September Good 9° - 17° 13° 112 mm partly cloudy 81% 5.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.7h
October Good 10° - 19° 14° 101 mm partly cloudy 79% 5.8 m/s 1.4 high 12.9h
November Good 12° - 21° 16° 100 mm overcast 76% 6.4 m/s 2.0 very high 13.9h
December Very Good 14° - 23° 18° 108 mm partly cloudy 76% 5.6 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill#

Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill sits in the southern inner suburbs of Auckland. The nearest international airport is Auckland Airport; within the city the suburbs around the maunga include Onehunga, Greenlane and Epsom.

A nearby suburban rail point is Onehunga railway station; the final stretch to the summit is most easily covered on foot, by bicycle or a short taxi from surrounding suburbs, and by walking through One Tree Hill Domain or Cornwall Park to reach the main paths. Check local transport timetables and park notices for current access arrangements.

Tips for Visiting Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill#

  • The summit road is permanently closed to most vehicles since 2019, so plan to walk or cycle to the top.
  • This is a culturally significant Tūpuna Maunga - follow signage, stay on marked paths and respect restricted areas.
  • Paths can be exposed and windy on the summit; bring a windproof layer and sturdy shoes, and expect mud after rain.
  • Cornwall Park and the Domain are large and pleasant for picnics and longer walks - bring water and sunscreen in summer.