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Page2 North Head 
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History of north head ** Strategically located on a headland at the entrance to Auckland's harbour, North Head, or Maunguika, commands sweeping views over the Hauraki Gulf and its islands. It has a long history, first of Maori occupation, and then as an important New Zealand coastal defence site. It is considered the most significant coastal defence site in the country because of the size and variety of its defence installations and the fact that it includes elements from all periods of New Zealand's coast defence history spanning nearly 120 years of military history. Inside the tunnels it is very dark so remember to bring a torch!!!  North Head was formed in a series of volcanic eruptions over 50,000 years ago, and is one of the oldest volcanic cones in the Auckland volcanic field. It was one of three cone pa in the Devonport area. During the First World War the guns at North Head were manned and ready. As the war progressed the large numbers of men required for service overseas meant that it was hard to keep all guns operational.