Motutapu Island
| Motutapu Island | ||
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| Waters | Hauraki Gulf | |
| Geographical location | 36 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ S , 174 ° 55 ′ 0 ″ E | |
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| length | 7.5 km | |
| width | 3.9 km | |
| surface | 15.09 km² | |
| Highest elevation | Motutapu 121 m |
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Motutapu Island or Motutapu is a 15.09 km² island in the Hauraki Gulf northeast of Auckland in New Zealand . The island is part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park . Her rarely used full name in the Māori language is: Te Motutapu a Taikehu ("The sacred island of Taikehu "). Taikehu was a Tohunga (priest) of Iwi Tainui .
The island is now connected to the geologically much younger volcano Rangitoto of Rangitoto Island via an artificial dam . Together both islands have an area of 38.19 km². Before the volcano erupted , Motutapu was inhabited by the Māori for over 100 years . The eruption about 700 years ago destroyed their settlements. However, there is evidence that some of the residents escaped annihilation, presumably by escaping to sea with the help of their waka . One of the many archaeological sites shows human footprints in the solidified ash, these were covered and preserved by ash deposits from a later eruption.
The volcanic ash created a new layer of fertile soil and the settlements were soon re-established. However, the findings suggest that seabirds and crustaceans were a more important part of the diet than agricultural products. The remains of some important fortified Māori ( Pā ) villages have been found on the island.
Today the island lacks the forest of the neighboring island, it is mostly covered by grassland and marshland . There are only a few large trees.
To the southeast of the island is the small island of Motuihe Island , separated by the barely 10 meters wide Gardiner Gap , the nearest large island is Waiheke Island 4.3 km to the east.
Military base
During the Second World War, the island, along with the southeastern Rangitoto and other islands of the Hauraki Gulf, was its important coastal defense position for Waitemata Harbor .
Between 1936 and 1944, gun emplacements, barracks and underground ammunition stores were built for more than £ 500,000; Observation posts and roads, as well as a connecting dam to Rangitoto built. Three BL 6 inch Mk XXI guns with a range of 13 miles and two searchlights (CASL- Coastal Artillery Searchlight), anti-aircraft guns, machine guns and radar systems were set up on the island .
Tunnels, bunkers and gun emplacements can be visited, the guns themselves are missing. The barracks in Administration Bay are used for an outdoor educational camp for children.
Web links
- Motutapu Restoration Trust (English)
- Motutapu Island Recreation Reserve . Department of Conservation ,accessed August 29, 2014.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Historic Motutapu Island Recreation Reserve . Department of Conservation , accessed August 29, 2014 .