Herald Island

Across the shimmering waters of the Waitematā Harbour, lies Herald Island. It’s a place of hidden histories and evolving identities. Herald Island wasn’t always known by this name. Māori knew it as Motu Pākihi and Te Pahi ō Te Poataniwha. European settlers, in their turn, called it Wood’s Island and then Pine Island. The island’s current name, Herald Island, honors the HMS Herald. Its officers surveyed the harbor in 1840. Imagine the island back then, a tranquil haven visited by Māori for seasonal bird snaring. The Waiohua paramount chief, Kiwi Tāmaki, once frequented this very spot. The clash of cultures echoed here too. During the Ngāti Whātua/Te Taoū war, a Ngāti Whātua war party confronted and killed the Waiohua chiefs Hūpipi and Hūmātaitai right here on Herald Island. Years passed. The island transformed. European settlers planted the first fruit trees in the Upper Waitematā area here in 1847. By the 1920s, Herald Island had become a popular destination for day-trippers arriving by ferry. Picture them enjoying picnics on the grassy slopes, the sound of laughter mingling with the cries of seagulls. The transformation continued with the construction of the Kingsway Road causeway in 1957. This vital link connected Herald Island to the mainland. It marked a turning point, ushering in a new era of accessibility. Today, Herald Island is a thriving community of 275 houses, connected by a network of paths and roads. While there are no shops on the island, a sense of community thrives through events like the annual Santa Parade and the quirky Raft Race. The island even boasts its own small museum, housed in the former schoolhouse and post office. This building, once a hub of education and communication, now stands as a testament to the island’s rich past. So, as you stand here, on Herald Island, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet. From ancient Māori traditions to modern suburban life, this small island holds a wealth of stories waiting to be discovered.