Rangitoto Island

Just offshore can be seen Rangitoto Island, the tallest and most prominent feature of Hauraki Gulf. The island is in fact the youngest volcano in the Auckland Volcanic Field, having erupted several times over a short period around 1350. It is the only volcanic eruption in the field witnessed by the Māori, who had just begun settling in New Zealand at the time. Rangitoto in te reo Māori translates to 'bloody sky,' which is thought to derive from a longer phrase meaning 'the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed.' This is thought to be a reference to a battle fought at Islington Bay shortly after the island had formed.

The island is a circular shield volcano with a small crater at the top. It supports over 200 species of plants, including the largest Pohutukawa forest in the world. With the exception of around 30 summer baches around Islington Bay and elsewhere along the island's rim, Rangitoto is uninhabited and has been a public reserve since 1890. Ferries travel to the island daily from Auckland City and Devonport. Neighbouring Motutapu Island is sparsely settled and has been connected to Rangitoto via a short causeway since World War II.

Continue walking along the pathway.