Welcome to Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

The youngest of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto emerged from the sea around 700 years ago in a series of volcanic explosions. Rising to a height of 260 metres the circular island presents the same uniform appearance and is visible from most parts of the mainland. Rangitoto's name has been translated to mean the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed, relating to a major Maori battle at Islington Bay about 1350. Rangitoto is an icon of Auckland city.

Situated about 8 km northeast of Auckland and connected to Motutapu Island by a causeway, Rangitoto is a large island of 2311 hectares with a wonderful volcanic landscape that supports over 200 species of moss, plants and trees including the largest Pohutukawa forest in the world. It was purchased by the Crown in 1854, set aside as a recreation reserve in 1890 and for over 30 years the island's volcanic scoria was quarried and shipped to Auckland. Between 1925 and 1936 prison labour built roads on the island and a track to the summit.

There are some 10 or so short and long walks around the island and from the summit there are magnificent views of the Hauraki Gulf, the Waitemata Harbour and Auckland city.

Rangitoto Islands' unique geological and natural attributes are of international interest. What is less known is that the three Bach Settlements of Rangitoto Wharf, Islington Bay and Beacon End are also of national importance.

The bach communities on Rangitoto Island were built in the 1920's and 30's and consist of private holiday dwellings and boatsheds as well as communal facilities such as paths, swimming pool, community hall and tennis courts. Built by families, using the scarce resources of the Depression era, the buildings demonstrate the 'kiwi' do-it-yourself, jack-of-all-trades attitudes of the times.

As a result of a prohibition order on further buildings in 1937, the remnants of the communities reflect this specific time in Auckland's development and as a result they are part of local history involving typical New Zealanders in a unique environment.

Because other bach communities, which were prevalent throughout the country, have virtually disappeared, the Rangitoto bach settlements are irreplaceable artefacts of New Zealand's architectural, and social history and therefore are important beyond their locality.

Latest Additions

The website has been given a makeover just in time for Christmas.
View the new photo galleries here>>

Under the mountain

The Movie Under the Mountain is about to be released in cinemas on 10 December. This story and film features Rangitoto Island heavily and a lot of the filming was done on Rangitoto Island. See here for the trailer

Motutapu and Rangitoto pest eradication

Operational planning for the eradication of the last seven mammalian pests from Motutapu and Rangitoto may have taken more than a year to complete, but it has paid dividends. Implementation of the first two phases of the pest eradication have gone like clockwork and the project is now well ahead of schedule. more>>

 

Public concern over wildlife deaths
in the Hauraki gulf
view DOC fact sheet>>

Major financial sponsor
AMP Financial Services Limited

Weather for Rangitoto today
Check out what the weather is doing over the Auckland area.

Tide reports -
Check out the high and low tide
for Auckland area

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Restoration / #38 / #114
Membership / How to join
Submit / Stories & Photos
Bach 38 / Open Day Images

Key facts about Rangitoto Island

Maori name: Rangitoto, derived from the phrase 'Te Rangi i totongia a Tamatekapua - the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed'.

Location: Auckland City, map reference NZMS 260: R11/762888

Height: 260 m

Age: Formed about 600 years ago
(ca 1400 AD)

Volume lava: about 2,300 million cubic metres (equivalent to 468,000 Olympic sized swimming pools)

Volume tuff/ash/pyroclastics: about 19 million cubic metres (equivalent to 3,800 Olympic sized swimming pools)

Tours of the Rangitoto Baches

The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust’s  bach tours for Auckland Heritage Festival 2009 proved so popular that they were booked out. We have decided have two weekends of tours this summer.

Visit the bach community at Rangitoto Wharf and learn about the social history of this typical kiwiana holiday place.  Walk through the magical kidney fern glade, the prison campsite and see behind some of the eclectic baches. The tour ends at the UNESCO Heritage Award winning restored museum Bach 38 with cream scones and tea. 

Cost: 

Tour and tea $10.
Payment by cash or check on the day.

Dates:

Saturday 13 February 2010 - 10am and 1pm
Sunday 14 February 2010 - 10am and 1pm

Saturday 6 March 2010 - 10am and 1pm
Sunday 7 March 2010 - 10am and 1pm

The tours are at Rangitoto Wharf and coincide with the ferry arrivals and departures.
Fullers ferry departs Auckland City 9.15 and 12.15 Devonport 9.25 and 12.25.
www.fullers.co.nz.  

If the weather is rough please ensure at the ticket counter that the ferry is going to Rangitoto wharf.  Should the ferry be going to Islington Bay only, the tour will be cancelled.
Please wear enclosed footwear and the track is not suitable for pushchairs.

Please email to book or for more details. Please include date, time, phone and number of people.

Under the mountain

The Movie Under the Mountain is about to be released in cinemas on 10 December. This story and film features Rangitoto Island heavily and a lot of the filming was done on Rangitoto Island. See below for the trailer

Motutapu and Rangitoto pest eradication

Operational planning for the eradication of the last seven mammalian pests from Motutapu and Rangitoto may have taken more than a year to complete, but it has paid dividends. Implementation of the first two phases of the pest eradication have gone like clockwork and the project is now well ahead of schedule. more>>

Hauraki Gulf Marine Parks has its 10th anniversary in February

Planning is underway to celebrate this milestone