Last updated July 2026
Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park occupies the headland at Takaparawhau / Bastion Point in Ōrākei, overlooking the Waitematā Harbour. The park honours New Zealand’s first Labour Prime Minister and serves as a formal memorial garden with expansive views across the harbour and Hauraki Gulf. The site also holds deep significance as the location of the 1977–1978 occupation by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, a pivotal event in the modern Māori land rights movement. The headland is now managed in partnership between the hapū and Auckland Council as part of whenua rangatira. Visitors can reach the park easily by car, bus or cycle along Tāmaki Drive.
Practical Information
| Address | 9-15 Hapimana Street, Ōrākei, Auckland |
| Hours | Open daily, dawn to dusk |
| Entry | Free |
| Parking | Free car park at the end of Hapimana Street |
| Facilities | Toilets at the car park; dogs must be on leash; smokefree; no café on site |
| Getting there | By car via Tāmaki Drive and Hapimana Street; AT Metro buses along Tāmaki Drive; cycleway access |
| Nearby | Ōrākei Domain, Ōkahu Bay, Tāmaki Drive foreshore |
About the Memorial and the Site
Michael Joseph Savage led New Zealand’s first Labour government after its election in 1935. His administration introduced state housing, free secondary education and the Social Security Act 1938, laying the foundations of the country’s welfare state. Savage died in office on 27 March 1940. His tomb was placed at Bastion Point, then a scenic reserve, and a memorial garden was later developed around it.
The headland of Takaparawhau has long been associated with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. It remained Crown land through the twentieth century despite ongoing claims by the hapū. In 1941 the Crown gifted the land to Auckland City Council for a reserve after its use for defence purposes ended. The memorial itself features an art deco tomb set within formal gardens that include a central avenue, hedging and plantings.
The park offers one of Auckland’s finest harbour panoramas. Steps lead from the car park to the tomb and viewing areas. From the headland visitors look west toward the Harbour Bridge, north across the Waitematā to the North Shore, and east over the Hauraki Gulf with Rangitoto Island prominent. The combination of maintained gardens, historical context and outlook makes the site a rewarding short visit.
The 1977–1978 Occupation
In January 1977 the Ōrākei Māori Action Committee, led by Joe Hawke, began an occupation of Takaparawhau to protest government plans to sell the remaining Crown land for private housing. The peaceful protest lasted 506 days. On 25 May 1978 police and army personnel removed the occupiers and dismantled temporary structures. Around 222 people were arrested during the eviction.
The occupation drew national attention to Māori land grievances and contributed to broader Treaty of Waitangi discussions. In 1988 the government returned Bastion Point and Ōrākei Marae to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as part of a Treaty settlement process. The Ōrākei Act 1991 formally recognised the hapū’s rights and established joint management arrangements for the whenua rangatira reserve that includes the memorial park. Interpretive panels at the site provide historical context for visitors.
What Visitors Often Say
The harbour views from the headland are outstanding, with clear sightlines across the Waitematā in multiple directions. The memorial garden is well maintained and the historical information panels add meaningful context to the visit.
Many visitors appreciate the quiet, reflective atmosphere and note that the site combines scenic beauty with important New Zealand history. The short walk from the car park to the viewing areas is straightforward and rewarding.
Where to Learn More
NZHistory.govt.nz – Savage Memorial: Official account of the memorial’s history and Michael Joseph Savage’s life and reforms.
NZHistory.govt.nz – Bastion Point: Detailed timeline and context for the 1977–1978 occupation and land return.
Auckland Council – Michael Joseph Savage Memorial: Current park information including facilities, rules and access details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Michael Joseph Savage?
Michael Joseph Savage was New Zealand’s 23rd Prime Minister and leader of the first Labour government from 1935 until his death in office on 27 March 1940. He is remembered for introducing key social reforms including state housing and the foundations of the welfare state.
What happened during the Bastion Point occupation?
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and supporters occupied Takaparawhau from 5 January 1977 to 25 May 1978 to protest plans to sell the land for housing. The 506-day protest ended with a large-scale eviction involving police and army personnel. The land was later returned to the hapū through Treaty settlement processes.
Is the park free to visit?
Yes. Entry to Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park is free and the site is open daily from dawn to dusk.
How do I get to the park from central Auckland?
Drive east along Tāmaki Drive and turn into Hapimana Street. The journey takes about 10–15 minutes. AT Metro buses serve Tāmaki Drive and the Tāmaki Drive cycleway provides a scenic cycling route.
Are there toilets and other facilities?
Toilets are available at the car park. The park is smokefree and dogs must be kept on a leash. There is no café on site.
What are the views like from Bastion Point?
The headland provides wide panoramas across the Waitematā Harbour to the North Shore and Harbour Bridge, and east toward Rangitoto Island and the Hauraki Gulf.
Is the memorial park wheelchair accessible?
The car park area and main paths to the viewing points are generally accessible, though some steps lead to the tomb itself. Visitors with mobility needs should check current conditions with Auckland Council.
Who manages the site today?
The headland forms part of whenua rangatira and is managed jointly by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Auckland Council.
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