MikeHawkey.com

Once was One Tree Hill

March 30, 2013

So todays image is what One Tree Hill now looks like (minus the one tree!). There have been a number of illegal replantings of trees on the summit, removed by the local council. It is said that when Treaty claims are finalised, or when local council and Iwi (loosely the Maori group of the area) come to an agreement, we may once again see a tree on the summit.

For now however, we still have the tall obelisk where Sir Campbell is buried.

Although I didn’t grab any shots from the summit on this visit, the view is spectacular from the top. 360 degree all around Auckland!

Shot on the Sony Nex and edited in Gimp.
Little Sheep Below

March 29, 2013

Moving up past the tree in yesterdays posting, the view down towards the southern side of Cornwall Park starts to show our elevation, with sheep turning into small ant size…sheep.

As mentioned yesterday, One tree Hill is covered in Trees. However, back in the day, it had a big tree on the summit of the hill. Visually recognisable from miles around, the tree was cut down in 1852 by the ‘white settler’ either for fire wood, or as an act of vandalism. Sir Campbell attempted to plant new native trees on the summit (Totara being the preference for its cultural value), but they did not survive, and in the 1870’s two radiata pines were planted and grew. Along came the 1960’s and again one tree was felled (but is ok, there was still one left!). We then reach the 1990’s and the surviving tree was subject to a number of attacks from Maori activists (I won’t go into great detail here, but the activists were making a point about injustices from the past). Sadly (regardless of which side of the fence one sits with the activist points), in 2000, after a second attack, the tree was deemed a danger, and a lost cause recovery wise and was felled.

(more tomorrow)

Shot on the Sony Nex and edited in Gimp.
Tree on the Side

March 28, 2013

Moving to a more southern point of Cornwall park from yesterday, and slowly progressing up One Tree Hill, I shot todays image ‘Tree on the Side’. Although known as One Tree Hill (or Maungakiekie, or Te Totara i Ahua to local Maori), the hill itself is covered in trees (more about that in the next few days).

Even halfway up the hill here, the view of the surrounding land is both far and wide. Its no surprise that Maori once had a Pa site (village – often with a defensive aspect to it) here! – all around you would be able to see the comings and goings of people.

As with yesterday, the area is populated now with sheep.

Shot on the Sony Nex and edited in Gimp.
Sloping Green

March 27, 2013

Moving a little South of yesterdays image, we are now in part of the active farm/livestock section of Cornwall Park/One Tree Hill. Way back in 1844 Thomas Henry of Ireland purchased the area to farm. It changed hands and management many times since then, even being used for growing potatoes during WW2 under a government emergency regulation.

Todays image ‘Sloping Green’ is one of such areas of active livestock today. At the time of visiting, home to a number of sheep having their early morning snack.

Shot on the Sony Nex 5N with 18-50mm lens and edited in Gimp.
Arrival of the Sun

March 26, 2013

I’m off on holiday for several days over the Easter period, so have prepared a bit of a series of Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill. I won’t be able to respond to comments until next week, but until then, thanks ahead!

Todays image ‘Arrival of the Sun’ starts us at the bottom of the hill, in Cornwall Park. Early morning, the sun was a beautiful golden colour, and the shadows still long across the landscape.

Gifted to Auckland by Sir John Logan Campbell (although prior to settlers Maori land), Sir Campbell is buried on the summit of One Tree Hill, looking down upon the park.

A great place to visit for anyone with a free half day in Auckland, One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park offer a relaxed, and scenic stop just out of the city centre.

More tomorrow!

Shot on the Sony Nex with 18-50mm lens and edited in Gimp.