Aucklanders brave the rain to celebrate their mountains

Bad weather again hampered an event held to celebrate Auckland’s ancestral mountains, but it didn't stop a hardy few from turning out.

Heavy rain sent most people home, leaving around 20 people wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas at the annual Love Your Maunga event at the Tahaki Reserve in Mt Eden on Sunday.

This year the event was organised by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority which took over administration of 14 mountains in the Auckland area in 2014 following a landmark Treaty settlement (Under the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act).

There were market stalls, a bouncy castle and live music acts by Kittens of the Internet, Hipstamatics, Annie Crummer, Maisey Rika and Lavina Williams.

There was also a guided walk through a new restoration area in Batger Quarry led by the leader of Friends of Maungawhau, Kit Howden.

The goal was to bring the Auckland community together to “talk about the values now driving the restoration, protection and enhancement of these taonga [the mountains],” according to the Auckland Council’s event page.

Chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, Paul Majurey, said in a press release that: “Love Your Maunga is very much a community celebration of Maungawhau, and also the other Tūpuna Maunga of Tāmaki Makaurau.

“Mana whenua and local communities draw a real sense of identity from the maunga, and it’s important that we acknowledge and keep talking about the importance of respecting these special places.”

Sam Dunlop of Auckland, said that the event was going well before the rain set in.

“There were quite a few people here earlier and the vibe was awesome but now with the rain I think I’m going to head home.”

Just as the crowd started to arrive the rain came in hard, sending most people home, leaving a handful of attendees behind.

The event had already been postponed the weekend prior due to heavy thunderstorm warnings.

Mr Majurey remained positive on the day despite the weather. “Obviously the rain has come in but there are still people here and that’s the main thing. Everyone that has come has loved it.”

The event has been running for nine years under the name Love your Mountain, however, it missed a year last year as it had grown too big for the former organisers, the Friends of Maungawhau, to manage, said Mr Majurey.