Using Te Ara 1

Using Te Ara -

The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

1. Waitemata Harbour

L.I. Develop our knowledge of Auckland and the Tamaki River.

Familiarise ourselves with an online NZ encyclopaedia.

Use our skimming and scanning skills.

Use this link to open Te Ara

Enter Waitemata into the search box and use that page to answer these questions.

What sort of landform is the Waitemata harbour?

Waitemata is a drowned river valley.

Why was it chosen to be New Zealand’s capital?

It i chosen to be the capital because the harbour’s deep navigable channels and sheltered bays.

What does Waitemata mean?

Waitemata means Obsidian Water.

Tell me one interesting fact about each of these features of the Waitemata:

Auckland’s chief port - In 1859 was the beginning of the first series of land reclamations to expand the port area.

Viaduct basin - The viaduct basin was redeveloped in the mid-1990’s. It was then a site where the America's Cup could be hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in 1999 and 2003.

Westhaven -Westhaven is the largest Managed marine in Australasia.

Harbour bridge - The harbour bridge is 1,020 m long.

Greenhithe bridge -The Greenhithe Bridge was built as an  alternative harbour crossing in 1975.

Natural features - The natural features also include the Meola reef and a rocky submarine promontory.