Taiaroa Head

Six gun batteries were installed between 1885 and 1905. The batteries were equipped with eight guns, including three 64pdr RML guns, one 7-inch RML gun, a 6-inch disappearing gun, and two batteries of quick firing anti-torpedo boat guns (one 6pdr and two 12pdrs). A musketry parapet sealed the heads from a land attack. Inside were barracks and stores. Interestingly, the parapet wall was found to have been too tall so it was lowered, the left over stone being used in the construction of the tunnels for the disappearing gun. Taiaroa Head today is a reserve, but access is strictly controlled thanks to the Albatross colony located there.

Channel Battery

Another improvised earthwork hurriedly thrown up in the 1885 scare. The two guns were about 80ft apart, with a central magazine complex between them. The timber work was presumably replaced with concrete in 1893 (the date is inscribed above the tunnel entrance). At some point after World War Two the army is believed to have blown up portions of this emplacement, so it is now severely damaged.

This battery is not accessible by the public.

Howlett Point Battery

A small work established in the 1885 scare, it was in a position closer to the harbour mouth than all the others. Initially built of timber, in 1903 the emplacement upgraded and concreted (the date is inscribed above the tunnel entrance). The cliff in front of and to either side were shaved to improve the battery's arc of fire.

A 12pdr battery just to the left of the 64pdr emplacement was started in 1908 and the guns were installed 1911. The cliff in front of the guns were also shaved to allow a greater arc of fire. In 1918 one 12pdr was removed and mounted on a ship. In 1919 they both went to Dunedin's Central Battery for training. In 1921 they were removed to Auckland. During the Second World War the first and only searchlight at Taiaroa Head was emplaced. It was placed at Howlett Point and was only a wooden emplacement with a concrete base. The engine room for it was also wooden with a concrete base.

These batteries are intact but not accessible by the public.

Lighthouse Battery

Perhaps what can be considered the main battery at Taiaroa Head was the 6-inch Disappearing Gun. Built in 1886-88, there was an observation post above the artillery store and an open gallery behind the gun which was later covered over with concrete. Much of the stone for the walls of the galleries actually came from the parapet wall which, after it had been built, was discovered to be too high. The gun remains in its emplacement today, having been fully restored. A 6pdr Nordenfeldt was built in a separate emplacement at the Summit of Taiaroa Head, but was latter removed.

During the Second World War the disappearing gun was brought back into service. It continued to operate till 1943, by which time it was no longer considered operational. In early 1944 a more modern 6-inch gun was emplaced next to the disappearing gun pit. The emplacement was not elaborate, and has left little if any trace of its existence.

This battery is intact and may be visited via a guided tour.

Saddle Battery

A battery built on the north side of the head with a 7-inch RML. Two loading galleries were built, the left hand one leading to the magazine.

This battery is intact, but it is unclear if it is accessible by the public (it was in the 1990s).