[2] The area was purchased by William and Mary Hart as the Kohiraunui No 2 block,[1] who developed a beef and dairy cattle-rearing farm on the site.

[3] Business Thomas Russell was the next owner until 1877 when James Williamson bought the farm and built the Pah Homestead on the site.

[3] The aim was to create a grand English landscape in a style popularised by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and to frame the view toward Maungakiekie One Tree Hill.

[3] Monte Cecilia Park houses a living collection of exotic trees including the Chilean wine palm, Australian bunya bunya pines, Moreton bay figs, Atlantic blue cedar, blue lillypilly, camphor laurel, Dutch elm, hoop pine and holm oaks.

[3] When the wetland was present it would have been home to birds species such as fernbird, banded rail, Australian bittern, and brown teal.