Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. It is an iconic landmark of Auckland as its distinctive symmetrical 260 metre (850 feet) high cone is visible from much of the city. It is the most recent and the largest of the approximately 48 volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field. It was formed by a series of eruptions that ended about 500 years ago. It is not expected to erupt again although fresh eruptions are likely elsewhere in the Auckland Volcanic Field. It boasts an impressive central crater which may be viewed from the summit or from a path which goes right round the rim.

Rangitoto Island viewed from North Head

The full name of Rangitoto Island is Nga Rangi-i-totongia-a Tama-te-kapua ('the days of the bleeding of Tama-te-kapua'). Tama-te-kapua was the captain of the Arawa canoe and was badly wounded on the island.

There are daily ferry trips to the island from Auckland but overnight stays are prohibited. Thirty years ago, houses perched on the island's edge in a ring, but they have been removed as they have been vacated. Some are now being preserved to show how the island used to be. A day trip allows plenty of time for the fit to walk to the summit and back, with stunning views of the harbour and city. An alternative to walking, a land train, co-ordinated with ferry sailings, takes visitors to a short way below the summit.

There are no streams on the island so plants rely on rainfall for moisture, yet the island is largely covered in trees and more unusual plants such as the kidney fern [1]. It has a large forest of naturally cross-bred pohutukawa and rata trees. Introduced brushtail possums and wallabies were eradicated in the late 20th century.

Lava field with path and encroaching vegetation

The island is linked by a causeway to the much older, non-volcanic island of Motutapu, where it is possible to view the archaeological remains of a civilisation caught in Rangitoto's eruptions.

External links

• Information from Fullers, the main ferry operators
• http://www.arc.govt.nz/volcanic/rangitoto.htm
• http://www.gns.cri.nz/what/earthact/volcanoes/arc/rang.html