This unique pohutukawa forest has grown on the lava field in the last few hundred years.

Here we are at the summit of Rangitoto and looking over the edge into the crater.

The lava flows from Rangitoto entering the sea.

In the background of this image you can see Rangitoto's proximity to the Island of Motutapu, where Maori were living at the time of the eruption 600 years ago.