Motuarohia/Roberton Island

Introduction

Motuarohia/Roberton Island has a significant Maori history and offers a range of recreation activities, including a track to a stunning pa site, an educational underwater trail for snorkellers, and water skiing.

Features

Historic heritage

The island has a significant Maori history with occupation likely from the earliest Polynesian settlement periods. Two significant pa have been recorded and garden sites exist around the central lagoon area on the island. Cook visited Motuarohia anchoring off Cook’s Cove in 1769 where the Endeavour’s crew was involved in a skirmish with two Maori wounded however Cook and the Endeavour found hospitality and plentiful supplies of water and food during the remainder of their stay.

In 1839, 70 years after Cook had landed in the Bay Motuarohia became known as Roberton Island. John Roberton a former whaling ship Captain purchased Motuarohia from Ngapuhi chiefs Wareahi, Moko and Rewa and built a small house between the lagoon and the hills west of the lagoon. A sad story of death and retribution surrounding Roberton’s family ensued and led to the first prosecution of an individual under New Zealand colonial law and is an important part of the history of the island and the nation. Motuarohia was farmed for the best part of the last century and a central area of land around the lagoon became part of the then Bay of Islands Maritime and historic park in 1979.

Natural features

Topography

The topography of Motuarohia ranges from steep coastal cliffs which face the open sea to the north and west, with headlands dissected by moderately steep gullies on its southern side. Flat lat surrounds a lagoon area on the southern side of Motuarohia. 

Vegetation

Vegetation consisits of kikuyu grass flats, kanuka/native shrub hardwood forest and extensive stands of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) with a regenerating understorey of native shrub hardwoods which are mainly hangehange and coprosoma spp. Coastal cliff communities are extensive with pohutukawa and the coastal tussock (Chionachloa bromoides). Stands of maritime pine were originally grown for the extraction of turpentine. Extensive planting of native coastal species has resulted in native forest regeneration in areas of felled to waste pine forest on the western end of the island.

Conservation

North Island brown kiwi number approximately 40 birds estimated post a survey in April 2006 (R. Colbourne 2006).

Dotterel nest protection is undertaken during the breeding season.

Habitation

There is permanent habitation in at least one of the 9 dwellings on private land and there are multiple ancillary buildings.

Public conservation land: Motuarohia Island Recreation Reserve 19.488 ha
Private land 43.914 ha
Total Area:  63.402

Activities

There is good beach access to the centre of the island and a DOC walking track to a prominent pa site caters for large number of day visitors. In the summer months interpretation is installed in the lagoon for an underwater snorkel trail.

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Activities

Plan and prepare

• Boat/sea kayak access
• For your own safety avoid leaving the tracks as there are cliffs and steep bluffs on the island
• No dogs due to risks to wildlife.