Sir John’s Burial Site, Obelisk — Attraction in Maungakiekie-Tāmaki

This historic landmark is on top of One Tree Hill in Cornwall Park, and the platform area around the obelisk provides an excellent viewpoint for panoramic views of the Auckland area.

There is a parking area at the base of the trail is easy to find. You can also park anywhere else close within the park and walk to the trailhead. The trail is paved and not too steep, and very easy to walk for anyone. From the parking area to the top of the hill takes about 20 minutes.

One Tree Hill is a 182-metre (597 ft) volcanic peak formed by scoria cones from 3 volcanic craters. It is an important memorial place for both Māori and other New Zealanders

On the summit of the hill is an obelisk, a memorial to Māori. Before the obelisk stands a bronze statue of a Māori warrior. The stone obelisk was designed by Richard Atkinson Abbot and completed in 1940, but the unveiling of the obelisk was delayed until after World War II on 24 April 1948. This was in keeping with Māori custom of not holding such ceremonies during a time of bloodshed.

Beneath it is the grave of Sir John Logan Campbell who bequeathed £5,000 for the obelisk. His grave is a plain granite slab, ornamented only by a bronze wreath. It lies in the middle of the viewing platform, on axis with the main memorial plaques on the Obelisk base.

Unfortunately, the trees that the hill was famous for (that are visible in some older photos) are now gone. They were all destroyed in protests by the Maori people to the injustices forced upon them by the government.

It is a popular place for locals to walk, bike, or run, and also a popular place for tourists staying in the Auckland area to visit to enjoy the views and get some great photos. Cornwall Park is also a large and beautiful park with miles of walking trails and biking trails to enjoy, so take a few hours there to relax and get a...

If you want a full view of Auckland and surrounds this is the place to go. About a 15 minute walk up a steep hill. No cars are allowed up the hill so the views at night are clear and not washed out by lights. Would recommend for a sunset,...

Great views but be careful today we witnessed 2 cars broken into at the car park closest to the summit walk. Plenty of warnings about not leaving personal effects in the car. It happened within 10 minutes too so...