Rangitoto 'could blow again'
As reported on Stuff
Auckland's Rangitoto volcano could be set for future eruptions when it had been thought to be placid, new research suggests.
It was thought that Rangitoto was formed by eruptions 500-550 years ago but University of Auckland scientists now say it has erupted intermittently for a much longer period - about 1000 years until two major explosions about five centuries ago.
Lead researcher Phil Shane said it could blow again.
"We cannot rule out long-lived activity in the future, or eruptions at sites that have experienced previous activity.
"The Auckland volcanic field could be going into a new mode of operation. If so, we need to think about hazard planning and risk in a very different way."
The findings were important to understand the risks posed by volcanoes in the Auckland area and perhaps elsewhere, he said.
It was previously believed that basaltic volcanoes erupted suddenly in a new location each time, and only live for a few years, but this new finding was that they could be active over a much longer period than that, he said.
The information was found only because the researchers took an entirely new approach in their study.
Most studies use radiocarbon dating to determine the age of samples taken directly from a volcano, but these researchers examined ash in the sediments of nearby Lake Pupuke.
They studied the chemical fingerprint of tiny volcanic glass shards in the sediment that had built up over time and were able to determine when the eruptions occurred.
Human activity had disrupted the younger sediments in the lake bed so the scientists could not say with confidence whether there was any further activity at Rangitoto in the past 500 years, and they planned future work to address this.
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Rangitoto Baches
A short DOC movie on the Rangitoto Baches by AUT student Kylie Newman.
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RIP Susan Yoffe
It is with the deepest sadness that we received the news today (13/11/2012) that Susan Yoffe passed away.
Susan was a Trustee with the Rangitoto Trust's since 1999. In her role as archivist she ran all the tours, talks, looked after the musuem and its volunteers. Susan's MA thesis ''The Bach Communities of Rangitoto Island'' is known internationally, her passion for the Island unbridled. She will be very much missed. RIP Susan.
The poem below was read at Susan's memorial service by her sister Jane.
The Channel of Rangitoto
The trip across water to Rangitoto
is a journey of time and memory.
Waves as constant as the years,
Tide in tide out.
The shell path beats me to the bach every time.
Faces who have known me longer than I have them,
greet me like I last saw them yesterday.
As I walk the familiar beaten path
my mind runs forward and back
like an eager dog on a run.
Anticipating the familiar embrace
of the Black Bach and reminiscing
the infatuation of childhood adventures.
This is belonging.
By Andy Heyward
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Heritage Festival Rangitoto Bach Tours have been postponed owing to the closure of Rangitoto Wharf
Read the history of the Rangitoto Wharf
The new dates are Sundays 4, 11, 18 and 25 November. Two tours each day.
Booking and payment with Fullers. Seniors $27. Adults $30, Children $15.
Fullers Ferry leaves Auckland 9.15 and 12.15, Devonport 9.25 and 12.25.
Return via Devonport 12.45 and 4.00pm.
Arrive at Rangitoto Wharf and take the guided walk through the holiday community of Rangitoto Wharf. You will learn about the social history of this typical kiwiana holiday place. The tour visits baches and associated facilities and is followed by traditional cream scone tea at the Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust UNESCO Award winning Bach 38 museum.
Further information: 09 4451894.
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Rangitoto Bach Restoration and Museum – volunteering
Visit Museum Bach 38 and bach community at Rangitoto Wharf and learn the history of this unique piece of kiwiana. Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust is restoring some baches, recording oral histories, collecting photos and interpreting the history. Learn how you can assist with the work in any of these fields.
Dates: Sunday 9 and Sunday 16 September, 2012
Time: 10am – 4pm
Fullers ferry leaves Auckland 9.15 and 12.15, Devonport 9.25 and 12.25. Return via Devonport 12.45 and 4.00pm.
Ferry Fare: Adult $27 Child 13.50
What you will need: Lunch if staying all day. Water.
Cost: Free. Tea and gingernuts available for gold coin donation.
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Rangitoto Ramblings
The latest Rangitoto newsletter is now available online.
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Rangitoto Island roadside story
Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides that follow major road trips in New Zealand. The stories cover the places you'll pass along the way -- their people, their history, their cultural and natural significance. For more information about Roadside Stories visit http://www.mch.govt.nz/roadside/
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Rangitoto Island Wrecks
The coastlines of Hauraki Gulf islands were once used as dumping grounds for obsolete ships. With rapid changes in technology, ships quickly became outdated and uneconomic to maintain.
Nowadays, obsolete vessels can be cut up and the materials recycled, but in the past disposing of unwanted vessels was a problem. The easiest solution was to drive them ashore where they would be out of sight, and leave them to rot or rust away.
Wreck Bay and the adjacent coastline of Rangitoto is a graveyard for at least 13 ships that were dumped on the island between 1887 and 1947. Read more>>
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Scouts on Rangitoto Island
Early photos of the Scout Camps on Rangitoto Island in the 1930s, 1948 and 1951.
More images and information here>>
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Saddleback nesting
The annual bird count has just been completed on Rangitoto Island and it is all good news. Researchers report seeing Saddleback and hearing Kaka and Kakariki. 15 Tieke were sighted, with 7 pairs, a single male bird has visited the Blue House on Motutapu. Also a female is using a nesting box and three other have made natural nests.
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A summer place
Take a look at this documentary from 1995 in the TVNZ archive - it features many Rangitoto baches.
Synopsis: This beautifully-shot documentary is a social and architectural history of the great NZ bach (or crib for those south of the Waitaki). Maggie Barry tracks their evolution from workers’ cottages to a fully fledged icon in danger of extinction: as the blind eye turned by councils that made them possible becomes a thing of the past, and the coastline becomes too valuable to allow ‘just anyone’ to erect a shack on it. The Kiwi spirit that created the building is celebrated; and bach enthusiasts interviewed include Sam Hunt, Keri Hulme, Karl Stead and Rawiri Paratene.
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Release of Takahe and Saddleback
Motutapu and Rangitoto islands were today (27 August 2011) officially declared pest-free wildlife sanctuaries following a successful eradication programme that first started 20 years ago.
They will now become home to takahe, with aims to have them house the largest population of takahe outside of Fiordland.
DOC has removed nine animal species from the islands. Possums and wallabies were eradicated in the 1990s. Ship rats, Norway rats, stoats, mice, feral cats, hedgehogs and rabbits have now been removed with the completion of a major eradication operation that began in June 2009.
To mark the occasion Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson made the first release of threatened native wildlife on Motutapu Island - including two breeding pairs of takahë and 20 saddleback.
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Rangitoto Ramblings
The latest newsletter is online and also available as a downloadbale pdf. Click to read the latest issue.
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Life's a bach
Donna Massey has a created a series of paintings depicting the Rangitoto Baches. View the article in The Aucklander. Rangitoto Bach Series is at Parnell Gallery from July 14-24. Check it out
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More creativity
Gareth Cooke, photographer, has taken a series of photos of Rangitoto, including the baches and shipwrecks. Take a look at his online gallery here
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DOC hunting rat found on Rangitoto
Rat tracks seen in rodent detecting tunnels have sparked a major search and trapping operation by the Department of Conservation (DOC) on Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
DOC are using rodent detecting dogs and have set 175 traps to catch the rat after the tracks were seen in a routine check of the rodent detecting tunnels that ring Rangitoto and neighbouring Motutapu Island. The tunnels are one of the biosecurity measures DOC has in place to protect the pest free islands it manages in the marine park.
Read the media release from the Department of Conservation :: PDF 41kb :: DOC 82.5kb ::
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Latest Rangitoto Photos on Flickr
A group has been setup on Flickr to showcase all your photos of Rangitoto Island. This is a public group and anyone with a Flickr account can add photos. This is another way fans of Rangitoto Island can share their photos and comment on others. Feel free to join in.
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Travelling to Rangitoto Island
Please remember when visiting Rangitoto that the island is pest free.
Please check your bags prior to boarding for rodents, insects and other pests.
Footwear must be checked to ensure they are clean and free of seeds.
More information can be found here>>
Biosecurity Standards
Find out about the new standards for Doc managed Islands in the Hauraki Gulf and take a look at the Environmental Care Code and Water Care Code.
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