Ever gazed at the Auckland skyline and wondered about that symmetrical cone rising from the sea? That is Rangitoto. Rangitoto Island. Today, we will uncover the secrets of this iconic volcano.
Rangitoto is the youngest and largest volcano in Auckland. It emerged from the sea around 600 years ago. Imagine fiery volcanic explosions witnessed by the Māori people living on nearby Motutapu. What a sight it must have been.
The name Rangitoto means “red sky” in Māori. It links to a story of a fight between Tama-te-kapua. He was the captain of the Arawa canoe, and Hoturoa the captain of the Tainui canoe. Tama-te-kapua was injured in the fight. This is why the island is called “The days of the bleeding of Tama-te-kapua”.
Māori have a strong connection to Rangitoto. They never lived there. The terrain was too rocky. Instead, they used the summit as a lookout. It helped them watch over the Hauraki Gulf during times of war. Rangitoto was also a parrot reserve. Ancient burial caves are on the island. They are a resting place for bones brought from Motutapu.
There’s a Māori myth about the children of fire deities. They argued and cursed Mahuika, the fire goddess. Mataoho, the god of earthquakes and eruptions, destroyed their home. Their home became Lake Pupuke. Rangitoto rose from the sea. The mists around Rangitoto? Those are the tears of the couple. They weep for their lost home.
Europeans arrived much later. In 1854, the Crown bought Rangitoto for just £15. Officials were reluctant to buy what they thought was just a rock. By 1890, it became a public recreation reserve. People loved it for picnics and day trips.
Prisoners built roads and trails in the 1920s and 1930s. They used volcanic lava to make stone walls. These walls are around the landings at Rangitoto and Islington Bay wharves. There was also a swimming pool that is no longer in use.
Small holiday houses called baches popped up. Citizens leased the land to pay for island developments. About 30 of these baches still exist. They are largely unchanged since the 1930s. One bach is now a museum. Visit Bach 38 near the Rangitoto Wharf. The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust runs it.
During World War II, Rangitoto became a prohibited area. The summit served as a fire control base and radar station. A large complex at Islington Bay operated the harbor minefields.
Rangitoto has a ship graveyard. Wreck Bay hosts ships scuttled between 1887 and 1947. It was a cost-effective way to get rid of unwanted vessels. Some wreckage is still visible. Explore them, but remember they are protected. Do not remove or disturb anything.
Today, Rangitoto is a pest-free island. It is home to the largest pōhutukawa forest in the world. Over 200 species of plants and trees thrive here.
You can reach Rangitoto by ferry from Auckland. Hike to the summit for amazing views. Explore the lava caves. Imagine the molten lava flowing through them.
So, as you stand here on Rangitoto, remember its fiery birth. Remember the Māori legends and the island’s more recent history. Rangitoto is more than just a volcano. It is a symbol of Auckland.