Fort Takapuna

Fort Takapuna was built from 1886 along the same general plan as Fort Bastion and commanded the main approaches to the Rangitoto channel. The brick casemated barracks was built at the rear of the fort with a castellated roof at ground level. Access was via a drawbridge in the southeast corner.

The two six inch disappearing guns and two 6-pounder Nordenfeldts were fully operational during the 1890s, and the fort was used as the Examination Battery for the port throughout this period and into the beginning of the First World War. Unlike many other forts in New Zealand, Fort Takapuna was not heavily rebuilt in the early 1890s. In 1899 part of the retaining wall and ditch at the southeast corner collapsed, but instead of repairing the wall the ditch was merely filled in, removing the land defences.

In 1899 a searchlight engine room was built into the cliff nearby, with a tunneled searchlight position facing across the Rangitoto channel. In 1915 a second searchlight was added to the west. Both searchlights were modernised and used during World War Two.

In 1924 the fort was abandoned, and in 1925 the navy took it over as an ammunition storage depot. Four magazines were built adjacent to the fort, and the fort was heavily modified for its new role. The guns were removed and the pits roofed in concrete, with other extensive alterations carried out leading to its present day layout. In 1935 the navy abandoned the fort with the construction of a new depot elsewhere at Kauri Point.

Prior to WW2 a number of 4-inch guns were emplaced in new emplacements. Two guns were first erected in 1938, two more in October 1939. A further two were taken from outside the museum and mounted in July 1940. These became the new Examination Battery for the port on the outbreak of war. A new observation post was also built to serve them

In September 1941 the two guns comprising the right section were removed and installed at North Head. In January 1942 two guns were dismounted and shipped to the Pacific. As a replacement one used for training at the Artillery Yard Devonport, was mounted, giving the battery three 4-inch guns. During 1942 overhead covers were constructed and in November 1942 gun shields were fitted.

The fort is now part of a reserve and is publicly accessible.