Welcome to Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf,
New Zealand.
Rangitoto
Island, part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, is a dominant
landmark of Auckland, New Zealand. Situated 35 minutes
by ferry from Downtown Auckland, the 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.
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)
Major financial sponsor
AMP Financial Services Limited
