Smack in the middle of Waitemata harbour, Rangitoto Island (not that silly casino-tower) is Auckland's real landmark. Black rock and shrubby vegetation cover a steep volcanic cone. It can be a hot and mildly strenuous walk to the top, but worth it. Rumoured to be dormant rather than extinct, but unlikely to erupt anytime soon. Hopefully.
Updates
Yeah, just a note on Auckland's volcanoes. They've presented no thermal activity in anyone's lifetime. That said, Rangitoto is only around 800 years old (well after 1066!) and the original Maori settlers saw it when it was active: it means "Mountain of Fire." Take a drink flask, a stiff pair of walking shoes and climb. The view is grand - especially on a summer day when the yachts are everywhere.
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