Rākino Island

“Lost? Not quite, but Rakino Island definitely feels a world away,” chuckled a weathered sailor, adjusting his cap as he stepped off the ferry. Rakino Island. A mere speck in Auckland’s vast Hauraki Gulf, yet holding a history as rich and layered as the volcanic soil beneath our feet. This isn’t your typical bustling island getaway. Rakino Island whispers tales of tranquility and self-sufficiency, a stark contrast to the city’s hum just across the water. The island is small, just 2.4 km long and half as wide, embracing a mere 1.5 square kilometers of land. Around seventy-six dwellings dot the landscape, home to a small community of hardy souls, just twenty-one permanent residents in 2019. Imagine a life dictated by the tides, where supplies arrive by barge and every household is its own little kingdom, managing its own food, water, and power. Rakino Island isn’t for everyone. But those who call it home cherish its isolation and fiercely protect their privacy. Long before the modern-day residents, Rakino Island knew other inhabitants. Sir George Grey, a former governor of New Zealand, purchased the island in 1862. He dreamed of a grand estate, even started construction on a house in Home Bay. But his plans shifted, his interest waning with the allure of Kawau Island. The island also played a brief, unfortunate role during the New Zealand Wars. Prisoners captured during the Invasion of the Waikato were brought here, a failed experiment in rehabilitation marked by homesickness and despair. Later, Albert Sanford, a pioneer of Auckland’s commercial fishing fleet, made Rakino Island his home. His family lived here for almost eighty years, their kauri log house, built from timber rafted from Mercury Bay, still standing as a testament to their enduring presence. Then came a rather eccentric chapter in Rakino Island’s history. Dr. Maxwell Rickard, a psychologist, hypnotherapist, and nightclub owner, bought the island in the 1960s. His vision: a utopian community complete with a clinic, orphanage, and homes for the elderly and unmarried mothers. The reality proved less ambitious. The land was subdivided and sold, creating the foundation for the unique community we see today. Rakino Island even boasts a technological first: the world’s first solar-powered telephone, a vital link to the outside world before the age of mobile phones. And amidst the human stories, nature thrives. Since 2002, Rakino Island has been a pest-free sanctuary, a testament to the community’s commitment to conservation. As you stand here, breathing in the fresh sea air, let the quiet resilience of Rakino Island seep into your soul. It’s a story of adaptation, of community, and of the enduring power of a small island in a big world.