PukewhakatarataraRush Creek Reserve
Rush Creek Drive, Westgate

Pukewhakataratara is the maunga (mountain) that the suburb of Massey sits on. The literal translation is “hill that poses a challenge or obstacle”.

This maunga sits in front of the many peaks extending from Muriwai to the Manukau Harbour. These peaks make up the Waitākere Ranges known as Ngā Rau Pou a Maki, the many posts of Maki.

Pukewhakataratara was once a bush covered maunga rising up to overlook the Waitematā Harbour. It would have provided a natural obstacle or barrier to those seeking access from the Waitematā to the Waitākere Ranges and beyond.

Its slopes run down to the inner Waitematā Harbour with Ngongetepara, Mānutewhau and Wai Huruhuru Manawa inlets below. This makes it one of the narrowest points between the east and west coasts.

Pukewhakatarara provided a pathway north, south or west and was an important walking route to the inland pathways leading:

• west to the Waitākere Valley
• east along the Pukewhakataratara ridge to the settlements beside the upper Waitematā Harbour and
• north to Kaipara.

The trees, birdlife, streams and sea provided food to those who lived and travelled through the area. The three interconnected spaces of Rush Creek Reserve, Royal Reserve and the whenua (land) on which the Massey Leisure Centre sits form the largest public space on Pukewhakataratara.

Human impact has created an urban environment with the maunga now covered in houses, roads and commercial activities. The mauri (life force) of the maunga has been diminished with the loss of vegetation and disruption to the interconnectedness of the place and people. Returning the name helps in the restoration of the mana and the mauri of the maunga.