Everything about Motutapu Island totally explained
Motutapu Island (or simply
Motutapu) is located in the
Hauraki Gulf to the northeast of the city of
Auckland,
New Zealand. The island is part of the
Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park.
Its full name, rarely used, is
Te Motutapu a Taikehu, "The sacred island of Taikehu", Taikehu having been a
tohunga (tribal priest) of the
Tainui iwi. 'Motutapu', meaning "sacred" or "sanctuary" island, is a term used for various islands in a number of
Polynesian cultures.
Geography
The island is now linked by an artificial causeway to the much younger
volcanic island cone of
Rangitoto. Prior to the emergence of the volcano, the island had been extensively occupied by
Māori for over 100 years. The eruption, some 700 years ago, destroyed their settlements, but there's circumstantial evidence that some of the residents may have escaped the destruction, presumably by
waka (canoe). Of the many archaeological sites recorded, one shows human footprints preserved in solidified ash. These were protected from erosion by a layer of ash from the next eruption.
The volcanic ash provided a new layer of fertile soil, and settlements were soon re-established, although many of the archaeological sites found indicate that seabirds and shellfish were a more important part of the diet than anything provided by cultivated land. There are the remains of a number of important
pa on the island.
During
World War II, the island was an important coastal defence position, and military tunnels and bunkers can still be viewed by visitors to the island. The causeway, which is actually quite broad, was built at that time to allow easier connection between Motutapu and Rangitoto.
Today the island lacks the forest cover of neighbouring Rangitoto Island and most areas are limited to grass and marsh. There are few large trees on the island.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Motutapu Island'.
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