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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Latest Additions

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

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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)

Sponsorships.

A lot of what we do relies on sponsors so we would like to publically thank all those who have assisted us, big and small. If in your dealings you can use the following sponsors it would be appreciated. If you know of other sponsors who should be mentioned on this page let me know

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Those who have assisted us in some way are:

AMP Financial Services - www

DoC - Department of Conservation - www

FLETCHER DIMOND - Supplying all of Bach 38s roofing as well as the workshop roofing

JENKINS TIMBER - For supplying all our weatherboards and facing materials

AJAX fasteners. For discount on nails and fasteners - www

ALCO ladders. Who have donated two ladders and supplied rest at trade - www

MARLEY NZ Ltd - donation of all spouting and grey water waste material - www

GALLOWAY international for the supply of 2 water tanks - www

SELLEY’S for the supply of all our fillings, bondings, and preprep materials - www

SELLEY’S For the supply of all our Painting aids - www

DULUX Paints for their donation of approx 47 lts - www

METROPOLITAN GLASS our supplier of glass for the front doors - www

GARTNER INTERNATIONAL - suppliers of hinges & security clasps and bolts.

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A special thanks to all who have found us sponsorship for products, like that of Dave Cox, for our contact with Jenkins for weatherboards and the front door glass. Lyn Trainer arranging for Arnold the plumber to do the spouting etc.

Also thanks to all our volunteers who have given their time advice and expertise freely over the past year.
Its been great having you, your skills and enthusiasm and we look forward to seeing you again at the next working bee.

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A special thanks must also go to AMP for there generous donation which believe it or not makes it easier to seek some form of sponsorship if not complete sponsorship from other organisations. It enables us to make better deals knowing we have the money to back us. It has amazed me that we can approach firms knowing we have the money in the bank and being able to purchase direct from the supplier at trade price.

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Our thanks goes to DoC for whose help we could not do without in the transportation of goods to the Island and the use of their warehouse in Devonport.