The Urban Ark area encompases two of the city’s larger maunga and is fringed by three others.
As part of a Treaty settlement, all five 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.
Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao aims to assist the Tūpuna Maunga Authority in its efforts to protect and restore the biodiversity of these taonga. Existing groups are already working with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority and we hope that these relationships will strengthen over time.
Maungawhau / Mt Eden
Maungawhau occupies our eastern boundary. Friends of Maungawhau have long been advocates for native biodiversity on Maungawhau / Mt Eden and have worked with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority since 2014.
Ōwairaka / Te Ahikā Roa o Raka / Mt Albert
Ōwairaka is the heart of the western half of the region. Pest Free Ōwairaka have been trapping predators around Ōwairaka since 2017 and work closely with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority.
Te Kōpuke / Titikōpuke / Mount St John
Titikōpuke is central to Urban Ark’s rohe. Its 28,000 year old lava flow bisects the region separating the catchment of Waitītiko Meola Creek from that of Waioteao Motion’s Creek, ansd stretching out across the Waitematā as Te Tokaroa Meola Reef. The tihi is managed by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, and the Tītīkōpuke Habitat Initiative seeks to containt the halo around it.
Pukewīwī / Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority manages predator control on the tihi. Urban Ark does not currently have a group operating in the surrounding areas.
Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta / Big King
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority manages predator control on the tihi. Urban Ark does not currently have a group trapping in the surrounding areas.