Welcome to the archive images of Tamaki Makaurau
 
 
Week 1
14 January 2007
 
 
 
 
On the Symonds Street ridge, lies a serene city oasis called Albert Park, built up and broadened by a thick layer of ash from a volcano which erupted many years ago.  Before the arrival of the Crown in 1840, this was where Rangipuke was situated - the name for the papakainga (village).  In 1845 this site became a defense post when the Albert Barracks were built in preparations for the invasion of the Waikato.  Part of this site was set aside as a public reserve when the army left and in 1879 Auckland City Countil took over the site and arranged a competition in search for a suitable layout.  The competition was won by an architect, James Slater.  An interesting aspect of Albert Park and one that few Aucklanders know about, is the miles of tunnels under the park which were built in 1941.  These tunnels were to be used as air raid shelters, but were sealed up after World War II.
 
 
 
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
 
If you are not passionately devoted to an idea, you can make very pleasant
pictures, but they won't make you cry. - Ruth Bernhard
 
 
 
This gateway sculpture was designed by Chris Booth and 
made from basalt boulders which was gifted by the
Ngati Kura tribe from Northland.  Behind this
sculpture are 3 of several entrances to the
former air raid tunnels under Albert Park
 
 
 
 
The band rotunda surrounded by oak trees which each honour one of the
16 battleships in the United States Navy's Great White Fleet
 
 
 
 
A sculpture by Neil Dawson which marks the City Art
Gallery centenary in 1988
 
 
 
 
A Sculpture?  No, but the massive roots of the Ombu tree (Phytolacca dioica),
a native to Argentina
 
 
 
 
Inviting green park like grounds
 
 
 
 
Beautiful pink cannas - the name originates from the Celtic word for cane or reed
 
 
 
 
Detail of the Victorian fountain, a central feature of Albert Park.  In its early
years the pool surrounding the fountain used to be stocked
with carp
 
 
 
 
This marble statue of a soldier was erected in 1902 as a memorial to troops of the
Fifth New Zealand Contingent who died in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 to 1902
 
 
 
A floral clock without its hands.  Donated by the Laidlaw family, this clock was
 installed in 1953 to commemorate the first visit of Queen Elizabeth II
to New Zealand
 
 
 
 
The Auckland University Clock Tower as seen from Albert Park.  The 54-metre 
tower, faced with Mt Somers stone, was formerly known as the old Arts
building and designed by R.A. Lippincott, a Chicago-trained architect. 
It was inspired by the famous Tom Tower of Christ Church, Oxford
 
 
 
 
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but please credit the photographer
Suzette Bothma
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