"Where The Heck Is Mt Albert"

Mount Albert is a volcanic peak and is a suburb area in the city of Auckland, New Zealand. Its postcode is 1025. This suburb is southwest just near the city centre, and is surrounded by 5 other suburbs of Owairaka, Sandringham, Morningside,Point Chevalier and Waterview. Unitec New Zealand (an institute of technology) is near the northern end of the suburb.

The peak, in parkland at the southern end of the suburb, is 135 metres in height, and is one of the many extinct cones which dot the city of Auckland, all of which are part of the Auckland Volcanic Field. It is one of Auckland's older cones, having been created some 50,000-60,000 years ago. It was the site of a pā, and was known as Owairaka. Extensive quarrying has reduced the height of the scoria cone by about 15 m and significantly altered its shape, but a few remnants of Maori earthworks like terracing, are still visible.

Mount Albert Grammar School "(M.A.G.S)" is a co-educational secondary school in Central Auckland. It teaches from year 9 to year 13. Mount Albert Grammar is one of the largest secondary schools in the country. It is also one of the most multi-cultural schools in New Zealand having over 60 different ethnic groups.

The 1st XV Rugby team has played since 1922 when it joined the Auckland Secondary Schools Rugby competition, winning the Championship in 1924 and 1925 . Since then it has won 19 times, the latest being 2010, winning back to back titles. It was also the New Zealand Champions in 1938, 1982 and 2010. In addition, the 1st XV has finished runners-up on numerous occasions, the most recent being runners-up to Gisborne Boys' High School in 2007.

Located near the Mount Albert shops on New North Road is Ferndale House. This wooden Gothic house was the home of the Garlick family who bequeathed it to the City. It is currently a community centre. The family firm Tonson Garlick manufactured furniture.

Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Albert,_New_Zealand accessed 02/08/11