Motutaiko Island

Motuaiko Island is the only island within Lake Taupō on the North Island of New Zealand. It sits near the town of Motutere. The name "Motutaiko" is from the Māori language, with "motu" meaning island, and "taiko" being a name for the black petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni).[1]

Motutaiko Island
Motutaiko Island as seen from Tauranga Taupo
Motutaiko Island is located in New Zealand
Motutaiko Island
Motutaiko Island
Motutaiko Island's location within New Zealand
Motutaiko Island is located in North Island
Motutaiko Island
Motutaiko Island
Motutaiko Island (North Island)
Geography
LocationLake Taupō
Coordinates38.854°S 175.942°E / -38.854; 175.942
Area11 ha (27 acres)
Length400 m (1300 ft)
Width550 m (1800 ft)
Coastline1,500 m (4900 ft)
Highest elevation452 m (1483 ft)
Administration

Natural features

Geology

Motutaiko Island is formed out of a column of rhyolitic lava, connected to the geologic systems of the Taupō Volcano. The island was likely formed after an underwater magma vent's releases cooled and hardened into a cone, with Motutaiko forming the apex at 452 m (1,483 ft) above sea level.[2][3]

Motutaiko Island's location in Taupo showing relationship to recent volcanic vents in red and present active geothermal systems in light blue.

There has recently been little volcanic seismicity directly under Motutaiko Island compared to adjacent areas of Lake Taupo.[4]

Biology

Several endangered species live on the island, including Wainuia clarki. Other animals present on the island include a colony of cormorants and the small-scaled skink. [5] The type specimen for this small skink was captured there in 1971 before being found elsewhere in the central North Island. [6] Its bellbird population was preserved during the species great dieback after European colonisation and may have allowed more rapid repopulation in the Taupō area.[7]

Maori tradition

The island is spiritually significant to the Māori people, and landing on the island is therefore prohibited by the government.[8] Te Rangi-tua-matotoru, a major chief of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa, was buried in a sacred cave on the island in the late 18th century.[5]

The taniwha of Lake Taupō, named Horomatangi, is said to live in a cave on the island's northeastern face.[3] The creature is also said to be the pet of Ngātoro-i-rangi.[8]

References
  1. "Motutaiko Island". gazetteer.linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. "NZTopMap:Motutaiko Island".
  3. Stout, Sir Robert. "Lake Taupo". NZTEC. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  4. Illsley-Kemp, Finnigan; Barker, Simon J.; Wilson, Colin J. N.; Chamberlain, Calum J.; Hreinsdóttir, Sigrún; Ellis, Susan; Hamling, Ian J.; Savage, Martha K.; Mestel, Eleanor R. H.; Wadsworth, Fabian B. (1 June 2021). "Volcanic Unrest at Taupō Volcano in 2019: Causes, Mechanisms and Implications". Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 22 (6): 1–27. doi:10.1029/2021GC009803.
  5. "Motutaiko Island". NZ DOC. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  6. Gebauer, Konstanze (2008). "Site survey and evaluation of trapping and identification techniques for small scaled skinks (oligosoma microlepis)" (PDF).
  7. Turbott, E.G. (1953). "Notes on the occurrence of the Bellbird in North Auckland" (PDF). Notornis. pp. 175–178.
  8. "Motutaiko Island / Places of significant interest in Taupo". Living Heritage. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
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