“Did you know this land was once home to several Maori pa?” Motu Moana Scout Camp in Blockhouse Bay Auckland has a rich history. It’s more than just a campsite. It’s a place where history and nature meet. This peaceful haven overlooking the Manukau Harbour has been a gathering place for centuries. Long before Scouts Aotearoa took ownership in 1941 Maori people camped here. They fished for sharks and hunted birds like godwits.
William Henry Smith a local draper acquired the land between 1897 and 1905. His family used it as a holiday retreat. They even let the Boy Scouts of Auckland use a nearby area for camping. When Mr Smith died his widow generously offered the land to the Boy Scouts Association. This generous act secured the land’s future as a vital Scout camp.
Motu Moana Scout Camp is more than just a place to pitch a tent. It’s a place to learn and grow. Thousands of young people have developed outdoor skills here. They have connected with the land and learned about kaitiakitanga the responsibility of guardianship. This amazing camp offers a unique blend of nature and city life. It’s just 20 minutes from Auckland’s CBD and airport. Yet it feels a world away. Visitors can experience native birds and beautiful bushland.
The camp is a popular venue for various events. It hosts corporate events school camps and family reunions. It even has a waterslide and Challenge Valley for adventurous activities. Youthtown provides supervised activities. They offer a range of options to suit different budgets. Motu Moana Scout Camp welcomes day visitors between 9 am and 3 pm. Scout groups can contact the manager for special packages.
So here we stand at Motu Moana. It’s more than a camp. It’s a place of history adventure and connection to the land. A true testament to the enduring spirit of scouting and the beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand.