Rangitoto Island

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Location of Rangitoto island (marked in red).

Rangitoto Island ( 36°47′14″S, 174°51′48″E) is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand.

It is an iconic landmark of Auckland as its distinctive symmetrical 260 metre (850 feet) high shield volcano cone is visible from much of the city. It is the most recent and the largest of the approximately 48 volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field. It was formed by a series of eruptions that ended about 500 years ago, meaning its creation is within historical memory of the local Māori iwis (tribes). It is not expected to become active again, although eventual fresh eruptions are very likely elsewhere in the wider area of the Auckland Field (measured in geological timespans). The volcano boasts an impressive central crater which may be viewed from the summit or from a path which goes right round the rim.

The full name of Rangitoto Island is Nga Rangi-i-totongia-a Tama-te-kapua ('The days of the bleeding of Tama-te-kapua'). Tama-te-kapua was the captain of the Arawa canoe and was badly wounded on the island.

[edit] Human use

There are daily ferry trips to the island from Auckland but overnight stays are not possible. A day trip allows plenty of time for the fit to walk to the summit and back, with stunning views of the harbour and city. An alternative to walking, a land train, co-ordinated with the ferry sailings, takes visitors to a short way below the summit.

Thirty years ago, houses perched on the island's edge in a ring, but most have been removed since the legality of their existence was doubtful right from their start in the 1930s, and because the island has now become a scenic reserve. Some of the 'bachs' are being preserved to show how the island used to be, once boasting a permanent community of several hundred people, including a good number of children. The buildings included some more permanent structures like a seawater pool built of quarried stones by convict labour, located close to the current ferry quay.

There are also some remains of WW II installations which supported the Auckland harbor defenses and were to house U.S. troops or store mines, the most visited one being the old observation post on the summit. The north side of the island was used as a wrecking ground for unwanted ships, and remains of several of the wrecks are still visible at low tide today.

[edit] Nature

Rangitoto Island as viewed from North Head.

Rangitoto Island from One Tree Hill.

Bracken fern, Pteridium esculentum, Rangitoto Island.

Lava field with path and encroaching vegetation.

There are virtually no streams on the island so plants rely on rainfall for moisture, yet the island is largely covered in trees and more unusual plants such as the kidney fern [1]. It has a large forest of naturally cross-bred pōhutukawa and rata trees. Introduced brushtail possums and wallabies were eradicated in the late 20th century, with more than 20,000 animals caught by conservationists.

In some parts of the island, fields of lightweight, clinker-like black lava stones are still exposed as vegetation has not yet taken hold. Visitors walk through the lava fields and may also walk through "lava caves" - tubes left behind after the passage of liquid lava.

The island is linked by a causeway to the much older, non-volcanic island of Motutapu, where it is possible to view the archaeological remains of human habitation caught in Rangitoto's eruptions' path.