Maungawhau

Maungawhau Station’s design is inspired by Mataaoho, atua or deity of volcanoes. Another spelling of the atua is Mataaho. Mataaho once lived in the crater of nearby Maungawhau (Mount Eden).

This crater is known as Te Ipu‑a‑Mataaho, meaning the cup or bowl of Mataaho.

For mana whenua, the importance of Maungawhau lies in its summit, crater, slopes, lava caves and water springs. These were vital resources for the historic Maungawhau pā.

The name Maungawhau literally translates as mountain (maunga) of the cork tree (whau). Whau was traditionally used for fishing floats and medicine.

The plaza outside the station represents wai māori (freshwater) moving through karā (volcanic basalt rock) after rain. Different shades of concrete represent water flowing around rock.

Bridges in the area also reflect the story of Mataaoho. Road bridges are located at Ruru Street, Mt Eden Road and Normanby Road.

Pedestrian bridges connect Porters Avenue to Wynyard Road, and Fenton Street to Ngahura Street.

Each bridge represents a different stage of volcanic activity and forms part of the whānau of Maungawhau Station.

Mana whenua cultural stories are expressed at Maungawhau Station through 4 design elements: the sky, earth, threshold and fourth elements.

Together, these elements shape how the station is seen and experienced.

Sky element

At Maungawhau, the sky element is formed using aluminium fins in 3 colours: blue, light blue and white.

The fins wrap around the upper level of the station entrance building. The look of the wrap changes depending on where you stand, symbolising the different ways the sky can appear.

Triangle patterns across the fins reference the tears of Ranginui (Sky Father) after his separation from Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) by their son Tāne, atua of the forests, as told in the Māori creation story.

Fourth element

The fourth element represents te whaiao, the first glimmer of daylight. It connects the earth and sky elements, adding layers of strength and light to the design.

At Maungawhau, the fourth element is expressed through glass, dark beams, escalators and lifts. Together, they recall the moment light entered the world.

These features are a physical reminder of the moment when Tāne pushed apart his parents, Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother).

Te Hā, the station’s ventilation building, is also part of the fourth element and extends this story beyond the main station building.

Threshold element

The threshold element marks the transition from the street into the station.

At Maungawhau Station, the threshold is located above the ticket gates and welcomes arriving passengers.

Copper‑coloured ceiling panels include a triangular pattern. These reference volcanic stories and Mataaho, reinforcing the station’s connection to the maunga (mountain).

Earth element

The earth element at Maungawhau Station is expressed through basalt tiles used on the exterior and interior of the station building.

The wall inside the station near the ticket gate line is made of original Maungawhau volcanic basalt that was salvaged and repurposed into wall tiles, grounding the station to the land it sits on.

Inside the entrance, a waterwall represents water seeping into lava caves.

Extending the earth element to outside the station, basalt boulders salvaged from the site during station construction are laid in the plaza area.

Mana whenua artist

Tessa Harris (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki).

"Maungawhau is a volcano and the history of the area relates to Mataaho, atua (deity) of volcanoes. A lot of my work speaks to Mataaho and his stories.

I work with basalt that has been dug up, some from the project and some from the wider Maungawhau area. The basalt holds mauri (life force), and using it connects back to Maungawhau and Mataaho.

My designs are based on a triangle, which represents the shape of a maunga, solid at the base and stable. The triangle shape also represents strength, power and purity.

When you enter the station, there is a waterwall made of basalt triangles that looks like a tāniko, a traditional Māori weaving pattern, referencing the many layers of whakapapa (genealogy) connected to the maunga.

Water runs down the triangles, representing Parawhenuamea, atua (deity) of freshwater and the freshwater that runs through volcanic rock"