Perhaps you’ve wondered how Station Bay got its name. Station Bay is a place with a rich history. It has seen Maori settlements, farming endeavors and military operations. Station Bay is on Motutapu Island in Auckland.
Motutapu Island itself boasts a fascinating past. Its full Maori name is Te Motutapu a Taikehu. It translates to The sacred island of Taikehu. Taikehu was a tribal priest of the Tainui tribe. The island’s name reflects its significance across Polynesian cultures. Motutapu means sacred or sanctuary island.
Approximately 18000 years ago, Motutapu was connected to the North Island. Sea levels were much lower then. Around 7000 years ago, the sea levels rose. Motutapu became an island. Later, the volcanic island Rangitoto emerged nearby. An artificial causeway now links the two islands.
Before Rangitoto’s eruption, Maori extensively occupied Motutapu for over 100 years. The eruption around 700 years ago destroyed their settlements. It smothered Motutapu in ash. However, some residents may have escaped by canoe. Archaeological sites like the Sunde Site show preserved footprints in solidified ash.
After the eruption, both the Arawa and Tainui canoes visited Motutapu. The Tainui ancestors of the Ngai Tai ki Tamaki settled there. The island’s traditional name references a Tainui tohunga. The Ngai Tai maintained occupation rights until selling the northern part of the island in 1840.
Since the 1840s, the island has been a pastoral farm. Farming settlements centered around Emu Bay and Home Bay. Tom Maxwell, who bought part of the island, had lived with the Ngai Tai. He was married to Ngeungeu. She was the daughter of chief Tara Te Irirangi.
In 1845, Williamson and Crummer purchased the southern end. Later politician Robert Graham acquired it in 1857. Home Bay Wharf became a destination with attractions. These included whale boat racing and greased pig chasing. The Reid brothers owned the island from 1869 to 1943. Homesteads and outbuildings were built at Home Bay.
During World War II, Motutapu became a military site. Work on the counter-bombardment battery began in 1936. By 1939, the military population increased significantly. Additional buildings were constructed. The US Navy planned to use Auckland as a staging point. This led to the construction of ammunition magazines. The war ended in 1945. Within five years, the complex was abandoned.
No archaeological remains have been located at Station Bay. But the remaining farm settlement was known to have been there. The military structures on Motutapu include gun emplacements and underground magazines. Plotting rooms and searchlights were also installed. Numerous pillboxes protected the battery.
The Department of Conservation started a restoration program in 1992. The aim is to revegetate the island with native species by the 2040s. Possums and wallabies were eradicated in the early 1990s. By 2011, Motutapu was declared pest-free. Native species like takahe and kiwi have been translocated to Motutapu. The Motutapu Restoration Trust oversees this work. It aims to restore the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
Today, you can access Motutapu by ferry from Auckland City. Safe anchorages are available at Home Bay. Be prepared for your visit. There is no public transport on the island. There are no shops either, but the Reid Homestead may be open with food and drinks. Take care on the beaches. Do not disturb nesting birds. Beware of wasps and sandflies.
As you stand here at Station Bay remember its layers of history. From Maori settlements to farming and military use. Motutapu Island continues to evolve. It is a testament to the stories etched into the land.