Historic Motukawanui Scenic Reserve
Motukawanui Island has a large amount of pits and terrace sites, middens and cultivations and extensive pa sites all suggesting a substantial population once existed on the island.
Human history
Prior to European arrival, the Māori inhabitants utilised the Cavalli's rich and diverse range of economic resources including fisheries and the extensive grey faced petrel colonies (muttonbirds) located on most of the islands.
Pa site P04/39 located on the southern
end of the island
The presence of storage pits, modified soils and remnant taro on Motukawanui indicates that much of island was being cultivated by Māori in the prehistoric period.
Evidence for the large populations on the Cavalli's also comes from Captain Cooks visit here in 1769 "during this time several canoes came off to the ship and two or three of them sold us some fish, Cavelles they were named, which occasioned my giving the island the same name". It is assumed that the fish that were traded with Cook were Trevally, but the name Cavalli's has remained.
Some time after European settlement the permanent occupation of Motukawanui ended.
In the late 1800's, the island was almost completely cleared for farming. The ruins of the farmer's hut still remain in Papatara Bay. The hut was once used as island accommodation but today there is a new hut located in Wai-iti Bay.
Papatara Bay on the southern end of
the island
The island was farmed up until 1974, and in 1987 it was purchased by the Maritime and Historic Park Board. Today it is under the care of the Department of Conservation.
DOC's work
- In 1995, DOC released North Island brown kiwi, which are now successfully breeding on the island
- Re-vegetation program, as the island has great potential as a sanctuary.
Visiting Motukawanui Island
This stunning island is a little-visited gem, and is well worth exploring.
Getting there
Motukawanui is the largest island in the Cavalli island chain located off Northland's east coast about 3 km north-east of Matauri Bay.
You can access Motukawanui by boat. In good weather, you can also reach the island by kayak.
References
The Story of the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. 1989. Department of Conservation.
back to top