The Stonefields volcanic site was formed about 9000 years ago. There is evidence of Maori activity and occupation in the area dating back 600 years.  A fortified village existed at the base of Maugarei/Mt Wellington, with the summit acting as a fortress in times of concern.  The hill pa was typically enclosed at the base by a stone wall, and beyond lay large huts and food pits.  The chief’s hut and food plantation were called stone fields – New Zealand’s first garden.

In 1936 Winstones Limited established the Lunn Avenue Quarry, which operated until 2001.  The Winstones quarry comprised 220 acres and employed 120 people.  From the time the quarry began operating some 18 million cubic metres of rock was excavated.  It is said half of all stone products used in Auckland City during that time were supplied by the Mt Wellington quarry.  The single largest contract for concrete aggregate was 160,000m³ which was supplied to the Auckland Airport for the construction of the run way in 1963.

In 2001 the Winstones Quarry was purchased by Landco Limited (Todd Property Group's former name) and the master planning process commenced.