Whangaparaoa Battery

In 1940 construction started on emplacements for the two six inch guns from North Head. This was completed in 1941 and included underground chambers for plotting equipment and searchlight posts. The guns remained on site till 1950 when they were returned to North Head. Later one of the emplacements had its overhead cover removed so a four inch turret from a Loch class frigate could be installed for training purposes.

In 1942 construction started on a 9.2 inch battery, similar to those at Waiheke and Wrights Hill. The site was known as A1 and while three gun puts were constructed, only two guns were mounted in 1944. One was proof fired in 1945, the only 9.2 inch gun to be fired during World War Two in New Zealand. The second was tested in 1946. The battery was disbanded in 1957, but the underground chambers continue to be used by the Navy as an ammunition store.

The battery is not publicly accessible as it is still an active Defence Reserve.