Rakitu Island

Rakitu Island, also known as Arid Island, is an uninhabited 253 ha (630 acres)[2] island off the northeast coast of Great Barrier Island in the Auckland Region of New Zealand.[3] The island lies about 4 km (2.5 mi) off Whangapoua Beach, sheltering the bay of Whangapoua Creek.

Rakitu Island
Native name:
Rakitū[1]
Rakitu Island harbour in 1908
Location in New Zealand
Geography
Coordinates36°07′30″S 175°30′0″E
Area2.5 km2 (0.97 sq mi)
Highest elevation220 m (720 ft)
Administration
Demographics
Population0
Ethnic groupsNgāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea

Description

The island is located 2.5 kilometres from Great Barrier Island. The island's shores are predominantly steep cliffs, that rise up to 180 metres from sea level.[4] The island's vegetation is a mix of retired farmland, coastal pōhutukawa, mānuka and kānuka. It is a refuge for many native bird species.[4]

Geology

The island is composed of the remains of two late Miocene rhyolite domes. The volcanoes are a part of the Whitianga Group, which erupted between 8 and 12 million years ago[5]

History

Rakitū Island is a part of the traditional rohe of Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea, and was home to the namesake ancestor of the hapū, Rehua. The central valley was cleared for cultivations, and three pā sites and a number of kāinga were established on Rakitu.[4]

During the early European era, whalers used the island as a base. Following this, it was predominantly used as a cattle grazing area by European settlers.[4]

In 1994, the island became a scenic reserve, following its purchase by the Department of Conservation.[6] In 2020, the island was declared predator free.[7]

See also

References
  1. Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board. "Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Treaty Settlement Information Booklet" (PDF). Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  2. "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded area 253.3332 ha)". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  3. "Rakitu Island (Arid Island), Auckland - NZ Topo Map". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  4. "Rakitu Island Scenic Reserve Factsheet" (PDF). Department of Conservation. July 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  5. Hayward, Bruce W. (2017). Out of the Ocean, Into the Fire. Geoscience Society of New Zealand. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-473-39596-4.
  6. "Rakitu Island Scenic Reserve". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  7. New Zealand Government (2 August 2020). "Rakitū Island Declared Latest Predator Free Island". Scoop. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
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