The city of Auckland was built on an area of fifty-three no longer active volcanoes, the Auckland Volcanic Field. These have shaped and continue to influence the landscape.

Some of the former volcanoes have been eroded or the surface structure changed to create space for urban development. In recent years there has been a counter-movement to protect the unique diversity of the area.

Mount Eden is located about five kilometers from the city center of New Zealand. The grass-covered mountain consists of three individual craters arranged in a row, which give it an oval shape. The dormant volcano offers a panoramic view of the city at an altitude of 196 meters.

Mount Eden was named in honour of George Eden, the first Earl of Auckland. In the Māori language it bears the name Maungawhau, which can be translated as "Mountain of the Whau Tree".

At a distance of 3 kilometers is another extinct volcano. Maungakiekie or One Tree Hill was one of the largest volcanoes of Auckland Volcanic Field, its peak is 183 m high and was formed during an eruption 20,000-30,000 years ago.