Motukawanui Island

Motukawanui Island is the largest of the Cavalli Islands, and is located approximately four kilometres northeast of Matauri Bay, north of the Bay of Islands in northern New Zealand.[1] The island has an area of 355 ha (880 acres)[2]

Motukawanui Island
Geography
LocationCavalli Islands
Coordinates35°0′0″S 173°56′30″E
Area3.545 km2 (1.369 sq mi)
Highest elevation177 m (581 ft)
Administration

History

The island had a large Māori population when Captain Cook visited the island group in 1769. The large number of pits and terrace sites, middens and cultivations all suggest a substantial population existed on the island.

Geography

The highest point of the island reaches an altitude of 177 metres.[3] Parts of the island was farmed up until 1974 and the pastoral grassland is now being left to generate into native vegetation and many stands of kanuka and manuka are already giving protection to a variety of young native trees.

The shores of Motukawanui are endowed with a great variety of marine life. Papatara Bay is a safe anchorage in most weather conditions and although most of the coastline is rugged, there are some pleasant sand and shingle beaches around the island.

Wildlife

Motukawanui Island has been a flourishing breeding ground for the North Island brown kiwi since the island was cleared of predators namely possums and mustelids.[4]

References
  1. "Motukawanui Island Scenic Reserve: Places to go in Northland". Department of Conservation (New Zealand). Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  2. "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded area 354.5046 ha)". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  3. Motukawanui Island:Introduction
  4. Motukawanui Island a Haven for Kiwi Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine


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