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.

StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter

Latest Additions

Auckland Heritage Festival 2010

Rangitoto Island Bach Tours. For more information go here>>

The latest maintenance and museum reports and Rangitoto Ramblings newsletter are online
Rangitoto Ramblings August 2010
2010 Maintenance Report
2010 Museum and Archive Report
2010 AGM Notice

Photos of Rangitoto Island sunbmitted by the public on Flickr are here>>

Rangitoto Island Biosecurity Standards. Find out what you need to know here>>

The Environmental Care Code and Water Care Code can be found here>>

New photos have been added to the galleries here>>

Charitable Trust

The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust is Charities Commission registered - our number is CC28141 - so all donations over $5 are tax deductible. View certificate here>>
More information on societies and trusts here>>

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

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)

Auckland Heritage Festival

Rangitoto Island bach tour and cream scone tea

The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust invites you to tour the bach community at Rangitoto Wharf 1920-1980s. An easy guided walk gives an insight into the history of Rangitoto holidays, the people and way of life. The tour finishes at the UNESCO Heritage Award winning Bach 38 for a traditional afternoon tea of cream scones and jam. After the tour, RIBCA will have some baches open for visitors. The tracks are not suitable for pushchairs and enclosed footwear is recommended.

When: Sun 19, Sun 26 Sep, Sun 3 Oct

Time: Tours 10am-noon, 1pm-3pm

Tickets: Special Auckland Heritage Festival ferry fare: Adult $28.75, seniors $26.75, children $9.40 (5 to 15 years old inclusive) • Including guided walk and cream tea (bookings essential)

Book: To book this tour and your ferry tickets, contact Fullers on 09 367 9111 or visit www.fullers.co.nz

North Shore Heritage Festival - Rangitoto Island Bach Tours

The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust invites you to tour the bach community at Rangitoto Wharf. An easy guided 2 hour walk gives an insight into the history of Rangitoto holidays, the people and way of life. The tour finishes at the UNESCO Heritage Award-winning Bach 38 for a traditional afternoon tea of cream scones and jam. The tracks are not suitable for push-chairs and enclosed footwear is recommended.

WHEN: Sunday 5 September and Sunday 12 September.

TIME: Ferry departs Auckland City at 9.15am and 12.15pm, Pier 2 Ferry Terminal or Devonport Ferry Terminal at 9.25am and 12.25pm. Ferry departs from Rangitoto Island at approximately 12.45pm and 4.00pm.

TICKETS: Adult $28.75, Seniors $26.75, Children $9.40 (5-15 years inclusive).

TO BOOK: contact the Fullers call centre on 09 367 9111

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reports for 2010

Notice is hereby given that the eight Annual General Meeting of Members of the Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust will be held at Ryders' Museum, 177 Riversdale Road, Avondale, Auckland, on Saturday 14th August 2010 at 2.30pm. All members and visitors are welcome.

The latest maintenance and museum reports and Rangitoto Ramblings newsletter are online
Rangitoto Ramblings August 2010
2010 Maintenance Report
2010 Museum and Archive Report
2010 AGM Notice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rainbow over Rangitoto

As Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland has been spewing ash into the atmosphere, Rangitoto has been giving out rainbows. This rainbow over Rangitoto Island was captured recently by Andy Heyward.

Rainbow over Rangitoto Island