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.

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Museum Bach Opening Hours

Bach 38 Museum at Rangitoto Wharf will be open Friday 29th of March to Monday 1st April.
Opening times are from the first Fullers ferry of the day to the last ferry of the day.

Open other days by appointment - info@rangitoto.org

Latest Additions

Education Pages

New content added to the education pages here>>

Rangitoto Scouts

Photos of the Scout Camps in the 1930s, 1948 and 1951 here>>

Rangitoto Wrecks

Photos of the wrecks here>>

Rangitoto Ramblings

The latest newsletter is available here>>

Gareth Cooke Photos

Gareth has taken a series of photos of the Rangitoto Baches and wrecks view his online gallery here>>

From the TVNZ Archives

Photos of Rangitoto Island submitted 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>>

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)

Links and Articles.

No website is an island (pardon the pun), and the internet exists on links. So here is a list of links you may find of interest.

Auckland Regional Council has a page on Rangitoto Island on their website.

The Department of Conservation have an extensive website with many links to other events and projects throughout New Zealand.

RIBCA (Rangitoto Island Bach Community Association Inc.), a separate organisation with a different philosophy have their own website

Motutapu Restoration Trust
Across the causeway at Islington Bay. Motutapu Island is being re-planted by an enthusistic trust with a re-newed sense of strategic direction. The website is www.motutapu.org.nz and like us welcome volunteers for their activities including propagation and planting.

Fullers operates a daily ferry service from Auckland City and Devonport

An article on the Rangitoto baches by Bookabach

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.

www.manawa.org.nz - Co-ordinating Aucklands Conservation groups

Motuihe Project was established in 2000 by members of the community in conjunction with the Department of Conservation. It was inspired by the vision of the island’s resident concessionaire. A community trust was formed and a Restoration Plan devised to drive the restoration of New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna to this island.

Located 30km north east of central Auckland and just 4km from the end of Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Tiritiri Matangi Island is one of New Zealand's most important and exciting conservation projects.

Article on the baches on www.historic.org.nz - Summer 2003

Conservation volunteers focus is providing a web based platform for environment groups, volunteers, and for all those interested in the environment. It is their aim to increase environmental awareness, to encourage a greater sharing of information and knowledge, and to encourage community and Overseas participation.

Rangitoto articles on the web

NZ Herald - 08/12/2003

NZ Herald - 12/03/2004

NZ Herald - 22/10/2004

NZ Geographic July 2004

Auckland City Council News 13/06/2004

NZ Historic Places Trust Summer 2003

Heritage Week September 2004

Rangitoto Island ships' graveyard

NZ Herald - 21/02/2006

NZ Herald - 25/03/2006

NZ Herald - 28/01/2007

NZ Herald - 07/09/2007

NZ Herald - 23/01/2011