The grounds of Fort Takapuna is on a commanding position at the head of the Rangitoto Channel in the Hauraki Gulf. This made it an important lookout and defence site for hundreds of years, first for early Maori inhabitants and later for European settlers.

The area has been known by a number of names over the years: Fort Cautley, HMNZS Tamaki, and Narrow Neck. The original military title for the area is ‘Fort Takapuna’, named for the point on which it stands.

Features of the fort included twin six-inch disappearing guns, an underground magazine, barracks, observation posts, and engine room and searchlights. The structures situated on this site form a unique historic complex containing elements from all periods of coastal defence in New Zealand. The old fort, the last of the New Zealand designed twin 6 inch gun forts, was designed by Major Tudor-Boddam of the Royal Artillery and built between 1886 and 1889.