Great Barrier Island
Aotea ( Mount Hobson or Hirakimatā | |
---|---|
Administration | |
New Zealand | |
Demographics | |
Population | 1,040 (June 2023)[3] |
Pop. density | 3.6/km2 (9.3/sq mi) |
Great Barrier Island (
The island was initially exploited for its minerals and
Etymology
The Māori name of the island is Aotea.[9] It received its English name from Captain Cook because it acts as a barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Hauraki Gulf.[5] Entrance to the Hauraki Gulf is via two channels, one on each side of the island. Colville Channel separates the southernmost point, Cape Barrier, from Cape Colville at the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula to the south, Cradock Channel from the smaller Little Barrier Island to the west. The island protects the Hauraki Gulf from the ocean surface waves and the currents of the South Pacific Gyre. It is not a sandbar barrier, often defined as the correct use of the term.[citation needed] The island's English name stems from its location on the outskirts of the Hauraki Gulf.
Geography
With an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi), Great Barrier Island is the sixth-largest island in New Zealand after the
Great Barrier is surrounded by several smaller islands, including
. A number of islands are located in Great Barrier bays, including Motukahu Island, Nelson Island, Kaikoura Island, Broken Islands, Motutaiko Island, Rangiahua Island, Little Mahuki Island, Mahuki Island and Junction Islands.With a maximum length (north-south) of some 43 kilometres (27 mi), it and the Coromandel Peninsula (directly to its south) protect the Gulf from the storms of the Pacific Ocean to the east. Consequently, the island boasts highly contrasting coastal environments. The eastern coast comprises long, sandy beaches, windswept sand-dunes, and at times heavy surf. The western coast, sheltered and calm, is home to hundreds of tiny, secluded bays which offer some of the best diving and boating in the country. The inland holds several large and biologically diverse wetlands, along with rugged hill country (bush or heath in the more exposed heights), as well as old-growth and regenerating kauri forests.
Surrounding islands
Surrounding islands and islets:[10]
Geology and natural history
Much of Great Barrier Island is formed from remnants of volcanoes associated with the
Great Barrier Island has been linked to the North Island for most of the last 18 million years, by a land bridge to the south along the Colville Channel.[12] Approximately 17,000 years ago during the Last Glacial Maximum, the Hauraki Gulf was a low lying coastal plain as sea levels were over 100 metres lower than present day levels.[13] During this period, Great Barrier Island was bordered by the two major river systems that flowed on the plain.[13] Over the past two million years, Great Barrier has periodically been an island and a peninsula.[12]
History and culture
Great Barrier Island (Aotea) is the ancestral land of
Local industries
Mining
Early European interest followed discovery of copper in the remote north, where New Zealand's earliest mines were established at Miners Head in 1842. Traces of these mines remain, largely accessible only by boat. Later, gold and silver were found in the Okupu / Whangaparapara area in the 1890s, and the remains of a stamping battery on the Whangaparapara Road are a remainder of this time. The sound of the battery working was reputedly audible from the Coromandel Peninsula, 20 km away.[5][16]
In early 2010, a government proposal to remove 705 ha of land on the Te Ahumatā Plateau (called "White Cliffs" by the locals) from Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act, which gives protection from the mining of public land, was widely criticised. Concerns were that mining for the suspected $4.3 billion in mineral worth in the area would damage both the conservation land as well as the island's tourism economy. Locals were split on the project, some hoping for new jobs.[16] If restarted, mining at White Cliffs would occur in the same area it originally proliferated on Great Barrier. The area's regenerating bushland still holds numerous semi-collapsed or open mining shafts where silver and gold had been mined.[16]
Kauri logging
The
Other industries
Great Barrier Island was the site of New Zealand's last whaling station, at Whangaparapara, which opened in 1956, over a century after the whaling industry peaked in New Zealand, and closed due to depletion of whaling stocks and increasing protection of whales by 1962.[5]
Another small-scale industry was kauri gum digging, while dairy farming and sheep farming have tended to play a small role compared to the usual New Zealand practice. A fishing industry collapsed when international fish prices dropped.[16] Islanders are generally occupied in tourism, farming or service-related industries when not working off-island.[16]
Shipwrecks
The remote north was the site of the sinking of the SS Wairarapa around midnight of 29 October 1894. This was one of New Zealand's worst shipwrecks, with about 140 lives lost, some of them buried in two beach grave sites in the far north.[5] As a result, a Great Barrier Island pigeon post service was set up, the first message being flown on 14 May 1897. Special postage stamps were issued from October 1898 until 1908, when a new communications cable was laid to the mainland, which made the pigeon post redundant.[19] Another major wreck lies in the far southeast, the SS Wiltshire.[5]
Nature reserves
Over time, more and more of the island came under the stewardship of the Department of Conservation (DOC) or its predecessors. Partly this was land that had belonged to the Crown since the 1800s, while other parts were sold or donated like the more than 10% of the island (located in the northern bush area, with some of the largest remaining kauri forests) that was gifted to the Crown by farmer Max Burrill in 1984.[5] DOC has created a large number of walking tracks through the island, some of which are also open for mountain biking.[18] The Aotea Conservation Park has the only multi-day wilderness walk in the Auckland region, boasting two DOC huts and numerous campsites. The Park spreads over more than 12,000 hectares and offers multiple walking tracks for novice and experienced walkers.[citation needed]
The island is free of some of the more troublesome introduced pests that plague the native ecosystems of other parts of New Zealand. While it does have wild cats, dogs, feral pigs,
Marae
Great Barrier Island has two
In October 2020, the Government committed $313,007 from the
Dark Sky Sanctuary
In 2017, Aotea / Great Barrier Island was accredited as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the
Population
Barrier Islands statistical area, which includes Little Barrier Island and Mokohinau Islands although they have no permanent inhabitants, covers 320.41 km2 (123.71 sq mi)[27] and had an estimated population of 1,040 as of June 2023,[3] with a population density of 3.2 people per km2.
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
2006 | 867 | — |
2013 | 933 | +1.05% |
2018 | 930 | −0.06% |
Source: [28] |
Barrier Islands had a population of 930 at the
Ethnicities were 91.3% European/Pākehā, 20.6% Māori, 2.6% Pacific peoples, 1.3% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. Percentages may add up to more than 100% as people may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 18.4, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 62.6% had no religion, 24.5% were Christian, 1.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 1.0% were Buddhist and 1.6% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 144 (18.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 144 (18.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $21,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 48 people (6.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 279 (35.2%) people were employed full-time, 168 (21.2%) were part-time, and 57 (7.2%) were unemployed.[28]
Settlements
The population lives mostly in coastal settlements. Tryphena, in Tryphena Harbour at the southern end, is the largest settlement. Other communities are Okupu and Whangaparapara in the south-west, Port Fitzroy and Ōkiwi in the north, and Claris and Medlands in the south-east. The population swells substantially from October to May. The island has become a favourite holiday destination in the darker months, due its superbly dark sky and the astrophotography and stargazing opportunities this offers. In 2017 the island was given Dark Sky Sanctuary status by the IDA. Its relative remoteness offers solitude, and the sustainable off-grid lifestyle of its inhabitants is something many visitors like to experience.[citation needed]
Without reticulated electricity, most houses use solar panels and a battery bank to generate and store power. Wind and water turbines and solar water heaters are also used. Diesel generators, which used to be the main power source, are now mostly used as back-up.[29][30]
From the end of February 2007, the island was seen around the world as the setting for the BBC One reality show Castaway, which was filmed there for three months.[31]
Transport
There are two airfields on the island, Great Barrier Aerodrome at Claris and Okiwi Airfield. Barrier Air operate services from Auckland Airport and North Shore Aerodrome to Claris. Flight time is approximately 35 minutes from Auckland Airport. Barrier Air will also commence a service from Claris to Tauranga in December 2022.[citation needed] Sunair operates between Claris and Hamilton, Tauranga, Whangārei and Whitianga.
SeaLink operates a passenger, car and freight ferry. This ferry operates from Wynyard Wharf in Auckland city to Tryphena (several times weekly). Sailing time is approximately four and a half hours.
Other travel options: Barrier Express fast ferry from Sandspit or Auckland. Flight Hauraki, Christian Aviation, Auckland Seaplanes, Heletranz, Oceania Helicopters.[citation needed]
Civic institutions
Institutions and services are primarily provided by the Auckland Council, the local authority. Services and infrastructure like roads and the wharves at Tryphena and Whangaparapara are subsidised, with the island receiving about $4 in services for every $1 in rates.[16] The Port FitzRoy wharf is owned by the North Barrier Residents and Ratepayers Association.[citation needed]
There are three primary schools: Mulberry Grove School at Tryphena, Kaitoke School at Claris, and Okiwi School. There is no secondary school, but there is a learning hub to assist students who learn through the
As part of Auckland the rules governing daily activities and applicable standards for civic works and services exists, shared with some of the other inhabited islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Driving rules are the same as for the rest of NZ and registration and a Warrant of Fitness are required for all vehicles. For example, every transport service operated solely on the island, the
Rules governing dog control are the same as for Auckland. Dogs must be kept on a lead in all public places.[citation needed]
Notable residents
- Fanny Osborne (1852–1934), artist[34]
- Jamison Gibson-Park, rugby union player
- Jenni Ogden – New Zealand psychology researcher and writer
- Paul Silva (1897–1974), soldier, timber worker, axeman and bridge builder
See also
- Harataonga, a beach
- List of islands of New Zealand
References
- ^ "Information about Great Barrier Island, New Zealand - Great Barrier Island Tourism". www.greatbarrierislandtourism.co.nz. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Mount Hobson, Auckland - NZ Topo Map". Land Information New Zealand. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "About Aotea / Great Barrier". Auckland Council. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ Department of Conservation. Accessed 2008-06-04.)
- ^ 2013 Census QuickStats about a place : Great Barrier Island Local Board Area from Statistics New Zealand.
- ^ a b Great Barrier Island Archived 2010-12-25 at the Wayback Machine (from the Auckland City Council website)
- ^ Vass, Beck (18 January 2009). "Great Barrier - island that tough times forgot". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2009.
- ^ One of several possible translations of Aotea is "white cloud". However some traditions give Aotea as the name of Kupe's canoe: see Aotearoa.
- ^ "NZGB Gazetteer | linz.govt.nz". gazetteer.linz.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-473-39596-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-86962-1513.
- ^ a b "Estuary origins". National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Ko Wai : Who We Are". Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ "Auckland Council District Plan - Hauraki Gulf Islands Section - Operative 2013: The history of human settlement of the islands" (PDF). Auckland City Council. 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Dickison, Michael (23 March 2010). "Great Barrier locals at odds over mining plan". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ Mahoney, Paul (1 March 2009). "Bush trams and other log transport - Moving kauri: dams and rafting". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
- ^ DOC. Accessed 2008-06-04.)
- New Zealand Postwebsite. Accessed 2008-06-04.)
- ^ "Feral goats to be eradicated on Waiheke". Auckland Council. 26 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- ^ Pests of Aotea Great Barrier Island – a local guide (PDF). Great Barrier Island Local Board, Auckland Council. 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020. Archivedfrom the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ Arnold, Naomi (19 October 2019). "NZ's dark sky sanctuaries sights worth travelling for". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Aotea / Great Barrier Island (New Zealand)". International Dark-Sky Association. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Barrier Islands (111800). 2018 Census place summary: Barrier Islands
- ^ Meduna, Veronika (May–June 2002). "Reaping the wind". New Zealand Geographic (57). Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Power". Aotea Great Barrier Island – A World of its Own. Destination Great Barrier Island Trust. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Castaway, About the location Archived 16 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine, BBC
- ^ Rush, Paul (6 January 2010). "Great Barrier: Barrier break away". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ^ Unknown article name - New Zealand Gazette, Thursday 14 August 2003
- ^ Mackle, Tony. "Fanny Osborne". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
External links
- [1] Articles/Stories of Great Barrier Island history, locals, issues, lifestyle
- Photographs of Great Barrier Island held in Auckland Libraries' heritage collections
- Great Barrier Island at Curlie
- The official visitors website for the island