Heritage et AL

For Māori, Te Henga or Bethells as it is also known, is a very important location. During pre-European times the Waitakere ranges including Te Henga, was one of the most densely populated areas because food was easy to catch from the sea and grow on the land. Ref: JTD-02E-01755-G, view south showing O'Neill Bay, Erangi Point, Ihumoana Island, Bethells Beach, Pukekowhai Point and headlands beyond, c.1930s, West Auckland Research Centre The long occupation of this area by the tangata whenua (people of the land), Te Kawerau a Maki can be seen in the large number of archaeological sites scattered along the coast, including 18 pa (fortification sites) and at least 10 kainga (village sites). It is also reflected in the name Te Henga, which means 'the food for a work party'. Ref: AWNS-19381207-50-3, west coast seascape: A view at Bethells (Te Henga), 1938, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Many people would not think of dams as being heritage assets, but there a number of historic but still operational dams in the Auckland region. Ref: JTD-07B-03192, Huia Dam, 1941, West Auckland Research Centre The Waitakere Ranges Water Supply System draws water from the ranges in West Auckland including the Huia, Nihotupu and Waitakere streams. During the 20th century, five large dams were constructed. These created the a series of reservoirs and associated tramways, piping, tunnels and filter stations. The main dams which are still in use include: the Waitakere Dam (1910), Upper Nihotupu Dam (1923), Upper Huia Dam (1929), Lower Nihotupu Dam (1948) and the Lower Huia Dam (1971).