Tāmaki River

The Tāmaki River has long been a transport route for both Māori and Pākehā. The Ōtaki Creek, a small branch of the Tāmaki River, was the first stage of a toanga waka portage between the Tāmaki River and the Manukau Harbour. The waka would need to be carried overland to the Waokauri Creek before it could be launched out into the harbour. This portage provided an alternative to the Ōtāhuhu route, which was used by those travelling between Āwhitu peninsula, Māngere, Puketutu Island, or the Onehunga side of the Manukau Harbour. Even after Great South Road was constructed south of Ōtāhuhu, the Tāmaki River remained a major avenue of transport, with a number of wharves being built along its banks.

Continue walking along Great South Road and then turn right at Cracroft Street. Continue along Cracroft Street.