Ever wondered what lies hidden within Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour? Welcome to Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve. This isn’t just any ordinary body of water. It is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life and history.
Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve protects 500 hectares of the inner harbor. It sits adjacent to the busy Northwestern Motorway. Established in 1995, it’s a sanctuary for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine life. The reserve is bounded by the industrial Rosebank Peninsula to the south and residential Waterview to the east.
Look closely. You might spot red-billed gulls soaring overhead. Perhaps you will see black-backed gulls scavenging along the shoreline. White-fronted and Caspian terns dive into the water in search of food. Godwits, sandpipers, and South Island pied oystercatchers wade through the shallows. Wrybills hunt small insects.
The best way to truly experience Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve is by kayak or small boat. Launch from the boat ramp at the end of Walker Road in Point Chevalier. As you paddle, observe the intertidal mudflats. The area has tidal channels, mangrove swamps, and shellbanks.
Remember a few important rules. It is illegal to take or kill any marine life within the reserve. This includes fish, crustaceans, shellfish, seaweed, shells, and rocks. Boats must not exceed five knots within 200 meters of land. Dogs are not allowed in the marine reserve. They endanger rare birds.
Motu Manawa-Pollen Island has a rich history. Early Māori settlement thrived around the Waitematā Harbour. The Whau inlet was a main canoe portage. It connected the Waitematā and Manukau Harbours. Motumānawa or Pollen Island got its name from Dr. Daniel Pollen. He bought the island in 1855. He established Pollen Brickworks there. Pollen was Premier of New Zealand for a few months in 1875 and 1876.
You might notice a rectangular concrete structure on the northwestern end of Motumānawa-Pollen Island. This is thought to be the remains of a tidal seawater pool. It was used for washing shells. The shells were then transported to the mainland for lime production.
The remains of a tramway can be seen as a faint line across the mudflats. This tramway transported shells. It connected the old cart road on Rosebank Peninsula to the outer shell bank. The tramway was built across the mudflats using tea tree and shell. Wooden box culverts crossed small tidal channels.
Please help protect our marine reserve. Do not fish or disturb marine life. Avoid damaging the sea floor when anchoring. Report any illegal or suspicious activity. Call 0800 4 POACHER or 0800 DOCHOT. Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve is a place of natural beauty. It is a testament to our commitment to conservation.