When you translate Rangitoto from Te reo Maori, you can't help but shudder at the idea that something terrible happened. From its literal meaning 'Bloody Sky', the island's full name is Ngā Rangi-i-totongia-a Tama-te-kapua ('The day the blood of Tama-te-kapua was shed'). Tama-te-kapua, captain of the Arawa Tribe waka (Maori canoe) was badly wounded in a battle that took place at Islington Bay around 1350. Although Maoris never lived there, they often went to the island to fish or hunt.
Rangitoto is the most recent and largest volcano of the Inner Hauraki Gulf, and so the sky would have gone rather red, yes. It was formed by a series of eruptions between 550 and 600 years ago. The eruptions occurred in two episodes, the first forming neighbouring Motutapu Island. 10–50 years later, a second eruption occurred, thought to have lasted for several years. The island is well known to Aucklanders for its iconic shape rising at 260m high.
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| Rangitoto Island - view from Narrowneck Beach, Devonport |
With a short 20 minute ferry ride to the island courtesy of Fullers Ferries, Rangitoto is accessible to all those with a passion for places with no shops whatsoever. Indeed, there is nothing of the sort on the island, so make sure you grab a snack and plenty of water (and sunscreen) before you alight the ship. I also advise to wear sturdy walking shoes and light gear as it gets quite warm, Louis Vuitton handbag not necessary (yes, there were a few). Yogi and I board our cart, which shall be pulled along by a tractor - if not the most active way to discover the island, perhaps the most informative thanks to the commentary provided during Fuller's Volcanic Explorer Tour. It's a bumpy but fun ride, and the landscape unfolds as quite bizarre.
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| Rocks - a lot of them! |
The Island is home to the largest forest of pōhutukawa trees (NZ's Christmas trees) in the world, has many types of ferns, orchids, bird life is lacking as the forest is still very young due to the lack of soil caused by the lava fields. Due to the many pests living on the island (mice, hedgehogs...), action was taken by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to eradicate them and re-introduce protected birds such as the kiwi.
Rangitoto was purchased for ₤15 by the Crown in 1854! In 1892, salt works were created near Mackenzies' Bay and became very profitable until the economic downturn of the era. From 1925 to 1936, prison labour also built roads on the island and a track to the summit, and so traditional Kiwi holiday homes (Baches) started to crop up in the 1920's and 1930's. These were banned in 1937 due to their illegality but a few remain, conserved by the trust, and stand as proof of the island's heritage in what was once a thriving community of around 100 people.
A 10-15 minute walk up to the summit leads to beautiful views!
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| Auckland Harbour Bridge - view from the summit |
Old quarry fields, baches, lava caves and amazing vegetation such as mangrove can all be seen on Rangitoto, so put on your adventurer's hat and.....
GO EXPLORE!
Steph
Tour duration including ferry travel is 4 hours, daily at 9.15am and 12.15pm. Come and book your tour at 4SightSeeing!
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