20 million years ago: the volcanic story beneath mount Parihaka

before there was a Whangārei, before there was Mair Park, before there were roads, houses or am espressobar at then end of the driveway, there was a volcanic landscape

today, one of the most recognisable features of Whangārei still stands above our city: mount Parihaka

a mountain with a much older story

from moki35 at rurumoki street, mount Parihaka is part of the landscape that surrounds us every day

It is easy to look at the mountain today and see native bush, walking tracks and views across Whangārei. When the weather overhangs the area this mountain is moody and holds real personality 

what is harder to imagine is that approximately 20 million years ago this landscape was being shaped by volcanic activity

Whangārei district council identifies mount Parihaka as an ancient volcanic feature that erupted during the early miocene, approximately 20 million years ago

the wider Whangārei area has an exceptionally diverse geological history with volcanic rocks including rhyolite, dacite, andesite and basalt formed during different periods from the miocene through to the early quaternary

that means the rocks around us are not simply rocks! they are part of a landscape that has been changing for millions of years. trust me, I have dug a few holes as I build my espressobar and in parts it was challenging to dig through as the top earth is littered with these rocks 

but Parihaka was only part of the story

this is where the geology around Whangārei becomes even more interesting

the volcanic activity did not end with Parihaka

much younger volcanic activity occurred across the wider Whangārei region with later lava flows having a significant effect on the landscape and waterways around the city

one of those waterways was the Hātea River

when lava got in the river's way

the Hātea river was already flowing through the landscape when a later lava flow changed its path

Whangārei district council records that a lava flow dammed the Hātea river near mairtown - right on the doorstep of moki35! 

damming does not mean that the river disappeared. the lava obstructed its flow and changed the way water moved through the landscape. water accumulated behind the obstruction, creating lakes and swamps that gradually filled with sediment. over a huge period of time, these processes helped create the alluvial terraces that extend upstream towards Whangārei falls

so, when you stand beside the Hātea rRiver today, you are looking at a landscape shaped by both volcanic activity and water

the river was already here

then lava got in its way

the landscape changed

the volcanic story continues to Whangārei falls

the story does not end near mairtown

follow the Hātea river upstream and you eventually reach Whangārei falls. the falls themselves have a volcanic origin. the Hātea river crosses a basalt lava flow associated with the Puhipuhi Whangārei volcanic field

at Whangārei falls, the basalt flow is around 40 metres thick. as the basalt cooled, it developed the distinctive structure visible around the falls. the river has continued to erode through the lava over time

according to Whangārei district council, the falls have migrated approximately 400 metres as the river has cut its way through the volcanic flow

one river therefore connects several parts of Whangārei's geological story from the landscape around mount Parihaka through mairtown and mair park towards Whangārei falls 

millions of years before the mairs and long before moki35

when you stand at moki35 today, it is easy to think about the people and places that surround us now, the mairs, the early settlers, the development of the town and the Whangārei we recognise today 

but the geological story comes first. millions of years before the arrival of the mair family, volcanic activity was already shaping this landscape. the Hātea River would become an important route through the area and mair's landing would become part of the story of early european settlement in Whangārei

but that is another story and more on that to come! 

for now, we start with the mountain, the rocks, the lava, the river and 20 million years of history beneath our feet

coffee in a place with a story

this is one of the reasons I love where moki35 is located

you can make a coffee here today and look out at a landscape that has been telling its story for millions of years. a flat white might take a few minutes to make. the landscape took millions of years!

so, next time you walk through mair park, look towards Parihaka. look at the rocks. look at the Hātea river. you are not just looking at Whangārei. you are looking at a landscape shaped by fire, water and time! 

and this is only the beginning of the story. I look forward to uncovering more and sharing my findings and learnings with you 

moki35

specialty coffee made in Whangārei