A South Auckland community is vowing to protect what it claims to be the last significant chunk of land with ties to early Maori heritage.
Fletchers Residential is proposing to build up to 480 houses over 33 hectares on Oruarangi Road next to the Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve in Mangere.
About 150 residents turned out to a public meeting last night at the Mangere Rugby League Club.
Guide at the Mangere Mountain Education Centre, Farrell Cleary, said he was shocked when it was announced the green space was going to be turned into a Special Housing Area.
Fletchers Residential was yet to lodge an application with the council to re-zone the area.