1. Pillboxes and Howitzers
(Heritage/Military)

Early 1942 - Pillboxes and Howitzers to defend against land assault   The gun battery commanders had every confidence in their ability to defend themselves against ships but what they were most ...

2. Battery Observation Post Complex
(Heritage/Military)

  Battery Observation Post and Radar Room (Radio room obscured) At Northern Junction, passing through the farm gate to the (Left hand side of the interpretative panel) you are now moving towards ...

3. Underground Plotting Rooms
(Heritage/Military)

... and support services for the gun battery. The facilities were located on a ridge alongside the Miniature Range and so, easily exposed in the event of an attack. The project took almost 12 months to dig ...

4. Other WW11 Military Sites
(Heritage/Military)

... the 'Burster Slab' is impressive, a layered type of construction forming the roof of the magazine. Targets were expected to engage the battery from long range meaning shells would be falling vertically ...

5. The Guns of Motutapu
(Heritage/Military)

... hours recreating the gun battery in 3D Virtual Reality on his computers at Devonport. The DVD portrays the very rich geological, Maori and Colonial history as well as telling the stories of the men and ...

6. Auckland Heritage Festival
(Projects & Events/Events)

...  View the superb virtual reconstruction of the gun battery on DVD Imagine the Premier Picnics at Home Bay during the 1900's when huge crowds would arrive from afar by train then steamer Hear about ...

7. 2010 Heritage Festivals
(Projects & Events/Events)

... radar and wireless rooms and a rare opportunity to journey the underground tunnels to see the gun battery's underground plotting rooms. We will serve you afternoon tea and scones later in the recently ...

8. Auckland Heritage Festival
(News/Notices / Updates)

... 120 year old exotic trees Check out the WW11 gun emplacements and underground magazines View the superb virtual reconstruction of the gun battery on DVD Imagine the Premier Picnics at Home Bay during ...

9. Post War Timeline
(About Us/The Island)

... University excavations at the Sunde archaic site - Scott and Green 1962 The three 6inch Mk21 guns removed from the battery and sold as scrap 1963 University Archaeological sites recording begins - ...

10. Walk Motutapu
(Tourism and Recreation/Exploring)

... 2.2 km; 45 mins The track passes the three WWII gun emplacements which once housed the six-inch gun battery. Take a torch and explore the underground magazines beneath the emplacements. The track dips ...

11. Exploring the Island
(Tourism and Recreation/Exploring)

... assault from the rear on the counter bombardment Gun Battery.   Military Sites Presently you will emerge out of the forest at the Northern Junction. Turn right and walk up to the pillbox (LHS) ...

12. WWII Military Timeline
(Heritage/Military)

  Motutapu 6inch Mk21 Gun Battery 75 year Time Line - 1933 to Present Day 1933 Jun Construction authorised as part of a 6 year NZ army modernisation programme ...

13. European Settlement Timeline
(Heritage/European Settlement)

... sign agreement with the Crown to use the island for defence purposes and to build a fort, roads, a quarry, yard and wharf 1936 Work begins on infrastructure for the counter bombardment gun battery A ...

14. Motutapu Radio Repeater
(Projects & Events/Projects)

... the equipment, pour the concrete base and build the shed to house the repeater and battery. On the 23 May 2009, Paul and Duncan were joined by John Eccleton from the MRT and set about the final installation. ...

15. The Causeway
(About Us/The Island)

... on the summit of Rangitoto. From time to time he was required to inspect the Motutapu Battery. This same day return trip included a low tide walk across the narrow gap separating the islands   What's ...

16. Gun Emplacements
(Heritage/Military)

Motutapu WW11 Gun Emplacements   The battery was built in the late 1930's to protect Auckland from naval attack. the most likely scenario being that a Japanese naval task force would lead an ...

17. Underground Magazines
(Heritage/Military)

... the 'Burster Slab' is impressive, a layered type of construction forming the roof of the magazine. Targets were expected to engage the battery from long range meaning shells would be falling vertically ...

18. MOEC
(Tourism and Recreation/Facilities & Activities)

... facility on the island, serving as barracks for the 6-inch battery personnel and as the overall headquarters and administrative centre for the island. Since 1966 the camp has functioned as an Outdoor ...

19. Make a Weekend of It !
(Get Involved/Volunteer)

... a stunning 3D imagery reconstruction of the WWII Motutapu gun battery after which you can check out the camp museum which is well worth a visit. Island exploring in the afternoon might include a walk ...

20. Facilities & Activities
(Tourism and Recreation/Facilities & Activities)

... Sites There are many disused military sites on the island including a battery of 6 inch guns and anti-aircraft, machinegun, radar and searchlight installations. Click here to learn more.   Things ...

21. Military Sites
(Heritage/Military)

A MILITARY LANDSCAPE Motutapu played an important role in Auckland's coastal defence system in WWII. In 1936 a gun battery including 3 gun emplacements was built on Motutapu. Searchlights, observation ...

22. Military
(Category)

...  Main 6inch gun emplacement with three gun pits, underground magazines, shelters and stores Battery observation post, engine and radar rooms Emu observation post and engine room for the anti submarine ...

23. Exploring
(Category)

... Motutapu gun battery built in 1936 to protect the inner Hauraki Gulf and Auckland city is one of the most significant historical sites in our region. The Motutapu defences included a battery of 6 inch ...