Date visited: 25 January 2021
Elevation: 30m (before it was covered by industrial development)
Volcanic history
Ash Hill is one of Auckland’s least-known basalt volcanoes, formed during a phreatic eruption that built a tuff cone with a small explosion crater. A phreatic eruption is one that occurs when magma comes into contact with water, causing a rapid and explosive reaction. characterized by the sudden release of steam and volcanic gases.
Ash Hill was first recognised as a volcano (and named) by Ernie Searle in 1961. It is named for nearby Ash Road, which in turn was named for a stand of ash trees present in the area, not volcanic ash as one might reasonably assume.
Tuff ring deposits were discovered during recent earthworks on a property next to the petrol station on Wiri Station Road. The 150m explosion crater is, or was, found beneath the backyard of an industrial site on the eastern side of Ash Road, although this has been filled in. Only a small part of Ash Hill remains visible today.
Our visit
This was the first stop on our trip out to Manukau to see Matukutureia (McLaughlin’s Mountain) and Matukutūruru (Wiri Mountain). I knew there wasn’t going to be much to see, but due to the amount of heavy traffic in the area I felt it was too unsafe to even get out of the car with the two littles, so we didn’t take many photos.
Directions and facilities
If you park on Oak Road, Wiri, you can see the small remaining piece of Ash Hill. As for facilities, there are none. Exercise extreme caution if you get out of the car to look around.
Happy adventuring (but perhaps not here),
