Bastion Point is a reserve at Hapimana Street in Ōrākei, Auckland, with a 4.7 rating on Google and a link to Auckland Council's parks pages. Known in te reo Māori as Takaparawhau, it is land of great significance to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and is remembered for the 506-day occupation of 1977 and 1978 that ended in the return of the land to the iwi.
A good national or historic reserve protects a place for its natural and cultural value, and lets visitors learn its story through signs, paths and views. Bastion Point is a grassy headland above Ōkahu Bay, with harbour views towards Rangitoto and the city, and it is a place of memory as well as recreation, so take time to read the signs and treat the site with respect. Regulars know that mornings and late afternoons give the best light, that the wind off the harbour can be cool, that paths can be steep in places and that the nearby Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Gardens and Ōkahu Bay are good for a longer walk. Stay on the paths, keep dogs under control and take your rubbish home.
For anyone visiting Ōrākei, Bastion Point is a place to enjoy harbour views and learn an important part of Auckland's history.