[Photo of one or more maunga]
The central Auckland area is built over the site of over 50 volcanoes. Some have been quarried away or otherwise degraded, but many remain, their grassy slopes rising above the suburban sprawl. Although their flanks are heavily adapted, most maunga are gradually being replanted in native species. As the shrubs and trees mature, these maunga will become incresingly important beacons in the biodiversity landscape.
As part of a Treaty settlement, 14 maunga were returned to the 13 mana whenua iwi and hapū of Auckland, known as Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau (or The Tāmaki Collective). Since 2014, the maunga have been managed by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, a statutory authority with equal representation from mana whenua and Auckland Council. Within the Urban Ark area, five maunga are mananged by the Tupuna Maunga Authority:
- Maungawhau / Mount Eden
- Ōwairaka / Te Ahikā Roa o Raka / Mount Albert
- Te Kōpuke / Titikōpuke / Mount St John
- Pukewīwī / Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill
- Te Tatua - a - Riukiuta / Big King