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Gun emplacement at Stony Batter, Waiheke Island, New Zealand. Photo By Stagking –

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Stony Batter Historic Reserve

Stony Batter is a historic reserve located in Auckland, New Zealand. It was built as a British fortress against Japanese and German attacks and was the last defense fortress built in Auckland.

The architectural marvel occupies 50 acres of green lush land. Its large boulder fields are said to be 8 million years old. It is also believed that the reserve was named after the boulders.

Prior to the construction of Stony Batter Reserve, Auckland’s coastal defenses were outdated and did not show the capability of a powerful counterattack in case a possible war was to arise. General Sir Guy Williams gave priority to the construction of 3 larger 9.2-inch battery gun complexes hence the development of Stony Batter.

Though its construction began in 1943, the World War II ammunition banker was incomplete by the beginning of the war. Several factors led to the delay of its scheduled completion. In spite of this, construction still continued after the war until the late 1900s.

The interior of the Historic Reserve has tunnels, gun pits, ammunition stores, storerooms, and a barrack. There is an ongoing project to open a lecture hall and historical art gallery where musical events, art and sculptors’ exhibitions will take place.

1. Stony Batter Reserve Is Located In The Historic Island Of New Zealand

Waiheke Island seen from a light airplane Photo By Ingolfson –

From the arrival of Captain Cook and the Europeans to the honoring of 1979 TE901 passengers at Waikumete Cemetery, Waiheke Island is the richest in terms of the history and culture of New Zealand.

 Of its numerous historical sites, Stony Batter receives the most tourist visits. The hidden gem is a short drive from Onetagi town past the vineyards and hilly fields of Auckland.

2. It Was Strategically Positioned For Counterattacks

 The Historic Reserve was built before World War II as a storage bunker for heavy ammunition. Its location was strategically picked to enable a proper view of any approaching ships and boasts from the Hauraki Gulf. Some of the ammunition stored include guns, war batteries, and accessories.

3. The Stony Batter British Fortress Was Dug By Hand

Men constructing a wall. Photo By Pietro da Cortona –

History has it that the complex took 200 hundred men to build. Because it was a top-secret project, the use of large machinery was avoided and the construction works were done solely by hand! The concrete walls were made from local stone and had a thickness of 3.7 meters.

4. The Tunnel Network Of The Stony Batter Historic Reserve Was Rebuilt Shortly After Its Construction

The Public Works Department of New Zealand worked hand in hand with British and local engineers to come up with the structural designs of Stony Batter.

Once the development of the tunnel network was completed, the movement of generator base plates into the engine rooms began. It was not only after the movement of the ammunition that they came to the realization that the corner of the access tunnels had been made too acute.

 It became impossible to fit the base plates. Consequently, the tunnel network was demolished and rebuilt.

5. It Cost Over 10 Million USD To Construct

The Stony Batter Reserve was among the most expensive military projects in Auckland. Part of the reason why the construction took nearly 10 years was insufficient government funding and the lack of financial control. The Ministry of Works in New Zealand approximated the cost of the construction to be 13,000,000 USD.

6. Stony Batter Was Abandoned for About 60 Years After It Completion

After the end of World War II, the construction of Stony Batter progressed slowly. There were several challenges that hindered its completion including unfavorable weather and a lack of adequate labour.

Additionally, the ammunition at Stony Batter was on an inaccessible island. Due to this, private contractors were unwilling to manage the difficulties at the site, and construction was taken over by the Public Works Department of New Zealand.

The essential works of the Reserve were completed by 1947. By 1955, new defense methods had come up and the military had stopped the use of batteries as ammunition. In 1961, the guns were dismantled for scrap and the reserve was abandoned until its reopening in 2020.

7. Its Linear Length Is Four Times The Height Of A Sky Scrapper

Layout of tunnel system. Photo By Stagking –

The 9.2-inch batteries were the largest guns to ever be used in New Zealand. It required adequate space for proper storage. The gun alone weighed 110 – 120 tonnes, the average weight of 20 full-grown elephants!  

The complex had a total of three emplacements that stretched for 330 metres underground.

8. The Stony Batter Tunnel Has No Internal Lighting

Flashlight lighting a dark tunnel. Photo By StockSnap –

Since the 1940s, the Stony Batter has had no lighting. The fort machinery was powered by diesel engines connected to the generator sets and exhaust systems that were built nearby.

As of today, tours around the tunnels are guided by torches that are provided by the Reserve’s personnel. However, plans are underway in connecting solar-powered lighting along the reserve tunnels.

9. Stony Batter Is Both A Historical And Natural Reserve

 After the cold war, coastal defenses were disbanded and the materials that were bound to deteriorate were moved to alternative locations. Out of the two 9.2-inch battery installations in Auckland, Stony Batter was singled out and emptied of all its equipment.

In 1999, The Stony Batter Protection and Restoration Society was formed to preserve and restore the gun complex. Today, Stoney Batter is rated as Class A New Zealand Historic Place.

The Park is also a natural reserve. It has a display of rocks that were formed through unusual processes and three significant undeveloped blocks of native bushes.

10. It Has A Stunning Panoramic View Of The Coromandel Peninsula

At Stony Batter, one is able to have a panoramic view of the landscape of the Hauraki Gulf and the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel Peninsular is a popular holiday destination. Its sceneries are breathtaking and have a rich history of New Zealand’s the gold mining