That 1866 map on the Wikipedia link is stunning, I remember being shown it during a Phyisical Geography class at the University of Auckland, the professors comm

That 1866 map on the Wikipedia link is stunning, I remember being shown it during a Phyisical Geography class at the University of Auckland, the professors comments at the time where something along the lines of "probably okay, but also might not be" - as if. The fact Rangitoto (a giant shield volcano smack bang in the middle of the City) is c. 600 years old is incredible - its an absolute baby on the geological record. New Zealand is a ticking time bomb for natural catastrophy, whether its Taupo (or the wider Central Platuea), Aucklands field awakening from its momentary sleep (there are occasionally small disturbances), a quake in Wellington or god forbid a Tsunami coming from the Hikurangi or Kermadic trenches. New Zealand has been relatively lucky for its short inhabited history when taken against its status as a highly exposed member of the Ring of Fire.