Tunneling in

In the 1920s, shortly after the end of WW1, it was suggested that the eastern end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula would be an excellent site for coastal defence batteries to defend the approaches to Auckland Harbour. The intention was, in time of war, to lay a minefield to close the gap between Tiri Tiri Matangi Island and the Noises.

The entrance and egress to the port would be through the Whangaparaoa Passage, which would be guarded by a gun battery to be built there. It was decided to build a battery to house three large 9.2” guns (which weighed 28 tons each) and construction began in 1940 after the beginning of WW2. However, as there was going to be considerable delay in obtaining the guns from overseas and the Army needed to defend the Whangaparaoa Passage as soon as possible, it was decided to build a battery for 6” guns and to move two 6” guns from North Head. (Construction of the 9.2” emplacement was not completed until 1945.) A full underground complex was also constructed. A maze of tunnels connected the gun emplacements to crew shelters, plotting rooms, gun store and engine room.

The gun emplacements were huge circular concrete lined holes in the ground with reinforced concrete overhead covers. Called “frying pans” because of their shape, they were an attempt to provide cover for the guns and crews without disrupting their arc of fire. One of the “frying pan” covers was blown off in 1959 when the emplacement was used for drill training. The 4” gun used in this exercise is now at MOTAT.

After the end of WW2 the Army moved out and most fittings were removed from the gun emplacements. The two 6” guns were returned to North Head. However the tunnels and Army barracks lived on. Various military groups came for training and, in the late 1950s, dances were held at the camp to entertain the trainees. Buses picked up young women from the surrounding area and there are rumours that part of the night’s entertainment was a surreptitious exploration of the tunnels.

Later the local fire brigade used the tunnels for search and rescue training. In turn, they were called out on a number of occasions to fight scrub fires caused by flares used by the Army trainees. The area is still a naval training area.

Museum News

• Friday October 1, Coach trip to Auckland Traffic Control Centre and Vaughan Homestead, $20
• Friday November 5, Coach trip to Paeroa and Katikati, $37. Info and bookings: ph Ngaire 424 8615

Pioneer Village open Sat/Sun, 10am–3pm.1860s Chapel and gardens available for weddings.