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Story: Bridges and tunnels

Entrance to Albert Park tunnels

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Entrance to Albert Park tunnels

During the Second World War when Japanese bombers were feared, 3.4 kilometres of interconnecting tunnels were excavated under Albert Park in Auckland to be used as air-raid shelters for up to 20,000 people. The tunnels were in natural lava caves under a dormant volcanic cone. Most of the tunnels were later filled up and are now closed.

Using this item

Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Reference: 7-A13963

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, Bridges and tunnels – Road and utility tunnels, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/23660/entrance-to-albert-park-tunnels (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 10 March 2010, updated 1 August 2024.